Short answer
A director (konateľ) of a Slovak company, for example an s.r.o., who does not have permanent residence in Slovakia is not in Slovak public health insurance (Act No. 580/2004, §3(9)). Such a director needs commercial health insurance for foreigners, taken out no later than 3 working days after collecting the residence card. On temporary residence for business, the proof is also handed to the police within 30 days. Union's Simple costs €327 for 12 months and the Foreign Police accepts it.
Director or sole trader: which insurance?
Public health insurance is provided by VšZP, Dôvera and Union zdravotná poisťovňa. Commercial insurance for foreigners is a separate product: klido arranges it with Union poisťovňa. If, besides being a director, you also have an employment contract, ask a public health insurer whether you are publicly insured.
Deadlines on a residence permit for business
- ·Health insurance is not an attachment to the first application for temporary residence.
- ·Take it out within 3 working days of collecting the residence card (Act No. 404/2011, §111(1)(d)).
- ·On temporary residence for business, hand the proof to the police within 30 days of collecting the card (§32(9)). If you were already insured when you applied, you can attach it to the application instead.
- ·A renewal needs a document not older than 90 days proving health insurance during the stay (§34(3)(c)). Business is not among the exceptions, so keep the insurance running without gaps.
- ·At a residence check you must be able to show it. Not being insured can be fined up to €1,600 (§118).
The law asks only for a confirmation in your name that you are health insured in Slovakia (§123) and sets no minimum cover, so Simple is enough.
What it costs
Simple is for ages 6 to 59, paid once by card, with no health questionnaire. Safety adds preventive check-ups, rehabilitation and broader care, from €569.40 for 12 months after a short health questionnaire. From 60, Union sets the price after a questionnaire. klido adds no fee of its own.
How to buy it online
- ·On klido.sk, choose the plan, the length and the start date, today at the earliest. Simple takes about 5 minutes.
- ·Sign online and pay by card through the link in Union's e-mail; a card payment goes through at once.
- ·Union e-mails the confirmation for the Foreign Police after payment. It is also in your klido account, and it is the document you hand in within 30 days.
- ·Before the insurance ends, klido reminds you by e-mail and you renew it from your account.
Frequently asked questions
Am I publicly insured as the director of my own s.r.o.? Not without permanent residence. A company director without permanent residence in Slovakia is not in public health insurance and needs commercial insurance.
Is Simple enough for a residence permit for business? Yes. The law sets no minimum cover, and the Foreign Police accepts both Simple and Safety.
What do I hand in to the police? The confirmation from Union in your name, within 30 days of collecting your residence card.
My family came with me on family reunification. What do they need? Each of them needs their own insurance, taken out within 3 working days of collecting their card and handed in within 30 days. You can insure them from your klido account. A year of Simple for a child costs €360 at ages 3 to 5 and €562 at ages 1 and 2.
The whole procedure: residence permit guide. Public or commercial insurance in more detail: public or commercial health insurance in Slovakia.
