The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?There are three checkpoints on the state border with Slovakia: Malyi Bereznyi - Ubฤพa (24/7), Uzhhorod (24/7, but pedestrians are not allowed), Maly Selmentsi - Veฤพkรฉ Slemence (open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.). You can check the interactive mapThe telephone number of the DPS of Ukraine for inquiries is +380445276363. The number of the Chopsky border detachment is +380 (312) 71 13 22. |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Slovakia with any of the following documents:
In order to prove family/marital status, birth certificates and a marriage certificate are required. The telephone number of the DPSU hotline ("Trust" Service) is 1598. You can use it for questions of a consultative nature within the competence of the State Border Service of Ukraine. For more information about the documents with which you can cross the border, and about the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel outside Ukraine, see here Chatbot to help Ukrainians around the world from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine The chatbot can simultaneously serve several users and provide advice on the most common questions, namely:
You can get help through the chatbot at the link In addition to the chatbot, citizens can also contact the call center at +38 (044) 224-57-20. |
What happens after a border crossing?After crossing the border, we ask you to visit a large-capacity center
You can find the application form for download in various language versions here You can check out the official page for those who arrive to Slovakia at ukraineslovakia.sk |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?
Within 4 days after crossing the border, you have the right to travel on the territory of Slovakia for free
Conditions for granting such a right:
The Slovak help ticket can be used to travel on passenger trains and second-class high-speed trains of the ลฝelezniฤnรก spoloฤnost Slovensko railway network. Please note that Slovak help cannot be used on Regio Jet (RJ) or Leo Express (LO) trains. With Slovak Help you can also travel for free on all suburban buses, however intercity buses are usually fully paid. Useful links:
From January 1, 2023, public transport for Ukrainian citizens in Bratislava will be paid. Where to buy tickets and passes: Using public transport in different cities of Slovakia Please note that even for cities with tolls, the following free toll rules apply:
Nitra and Trnava. The use of public transport for Ukrainians is FREE. During the inspection, you must present your passport and a document on temporary protection. More information here |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?Ukrainians or citizens of other visa-free countries can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. If you don't have a biometric passport, it is recommended to contact the respective embassy of your travel destination to see whether a border is open also for those not having a biometric passport. Rules can be different for traveling by plane, train, bus or car. Travel options are:
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How long can I stay?You can stay in Slovakia without a visa for 90 days in any 180 days period. Temporary protection is provided until 4 March 2024. The term will be automatically prolonged by an additional 6 months. You can find more information at this website The EU migration calculator |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?Unaccompanied minors entering Slovakia will be escorted by border police and placed in the Medzilaborce centre where they get a temporary guardian, who will be able to speak Ukrainian. |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?Currently, there are no Covid-related requirements at the border applicable to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. |
Where can I get legal support?Human Rights League provides legal assistance to foreigners and immigrants in Slovakia. The association was founded in 2005 by lawyers and advocates. Currently, one of the priority areas of the association's work is to provide Ukrainian immigrants in Slovakia with accurate and reliable information about their rights, obligations and services in accordance with their needs. Human Rights League distributes information: 1. offline in places where Ukrainians gather (in hostels, aid centers) 2. online through: |
Where do I register for temporary protection?You can apply for temporary protection
Children must be present with you when making the declaration. You will have to present any proof of identity. More informatiom here How to issue temporary protection (odรญdenec/doฤasne utoฤisko) for a newborn child? 1. After the birth of the child, the parents or one of the parents must go to the MATRIฤNร รRAD and obtain a birth certificate (Rodnรฝ list). 2. After that, the parents or one of them must go to the police for foreigners (in Bratislava, this can be done at Bottova 7), where the child will be photographed and pre-registered. Documents: you must bring your parents' passports, your parents' temporary protection documents, your child's birth certificate, and two copies of it (with your contact phone number and email address). 3. Immediately after the police, it is necessary to go to the Migraฤnรฝ รบrad MV SR office (such an office is also located at Bottova 7), provide a copy of the birth certificate and undergo a short interview. 4. After a few days, you will be called and invited to another, slightly longer interview at Migraฤnรฝ รบrad MV SR (one of the parents may come). 5. After the second interview, you will be called and informed when you can pick up the document on temporary protection of the child from the police. Important: persons with temporary protection are not entitled to child birth assistance. If both of the child's parents have a different (different from Slovak) citizenship, the child does NOT receive Slovak citizenship automatically upon birth on the territory of Slovakia. |
How to extend the status of temporary protection?Slovakia extended the validity period of temporary protection for Ukrainians. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Slovakia reported that the validity of the "Temporary Asylum" certificate valid until March 4, 2023 was automatically extended until March 4, 2024. However, if they wish, Ukrainian immigrants can update their identity card through the electronic service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Link here What opportunities does temporary protection provide to Ukrainians in Slovakia?
You can find more detailed information about crossing the border, financial and social support, finding housing and job in Slovakia on the UFU platform at the link |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?For faster processing of applications for temporary refuge, large-capacity centers have been established in Bratislava, Humenne, and Michalovce, which are open 24 hours a day. Applicants for temporary refuge are transported from the border crossing points to the centers in Humenne or Michalovce, where all documents are processed in one place. At the same time, a shuttle service is provided for processed applicants from the large-capacity centers to the accommodation facilities. If you do not have any documents with you and do not have an accommodation secured, you need to apply for a temporary refuge at the Asylum Department in Humenne |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?Once temporary protection is approved, you will receive a document confirming your tolerated stay in Slovakia marked DOฤASNร รTOฤISKO (initially, the documents were marked ODรDENEC). |
May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?Beneficiaries of international protection (asylum) cannot return to their country of origin while they are considered a refuge. |
What should be done before coming to Ukraine?Relinquish temporary protection status: Regardless of the country of residence, temporary protection must be waived. Your status will be revoked by the state body or institution where you issued the documents. However, citizens of Ukraine can re-obtain this status if they decide to return abroad. Make sure your documents are valid: Citizens who left Ukraine with a valid foreign passport will not face any difficulties. The expired document can be extended in diplomatic institutions for another five years - this decision was made by the Cabinet of Ministers, because it is not possible to issue biometrics abroad. You can also add a child's data to an adult's passport. Ukrainians who have only an internal passport or who left Ukraine without documents should also contact the embassy or consulate. Employees of the institution will issue a special document - an identity card for returning to Ukraine (it is not necessary to pay the consular fee during martial law). Cancel receiving cash assistance abroad: When returning home, refugees cannot receive state benefits. If you do not notify the relevant institution about your departure from the country, it will be considered an offence. In such a case, a Ukrainian may be fined or even banned from entering the country. By the way, it is not necessary to declare cash payments received abroad in Ukraine. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?In Slovakia, the situation is more complicated due to the fact that Slovakia has issued a document on temporary protection in a simple paper form. Such a document is not considered a residence permit and, according to the Schengen Code, does not give the right to travel freely. In practice, people usually travel, and in most cases there are no problems, but formally it is wrong, and sometimes there are cases when people are not allowed through. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Yes. You can always apply for asylum but you will lose the status of temporary protection. Please note that if you apply for asylum, it is a time consuming and difficult process which will prevent you from returning to Ukraine while you are considered a refugee. Normally, those apply for asylum who have well-founded fears of persecution in the country of origin and cannot or do not wish to return to their country. You can check out the official website of the EU to get the most recent updates ec.europa.eu/info |
How and where can I apply for the residency?Temporary residence in Slovakia is tied to a specific purpose, such as employment, business, study, family reunification, etc. Each applicant for a residence permit must demonstrate the purpose chosen. People older than 14 you must submit an extract from the criminal record when applying for temporary/permanent residence. This document must be verified for use abroad (apostille/consular legalization). For a complete list of available purposes and the legally required documents visit mic.iom.sk Obtaining a certificate of criminal record from Ukraine On the web portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, you can download To download it, you need:
Video instruction - here You can check the validity of the extract by following this link |
What if I don't have the international passport?According to the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (DPSU), the citizens of Ukraine who can leave Ukraine with an internal passport are currently only those evacuating from occupied territories or territories where hostilities are taking place, the list of which is approved in accordance with the Order of the Ministry on Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine of December 22, 2022 No. 309 Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (DPSU) helpline: +38 (044) 527-63-63 (for calls from Ukraine and abroad) or 1598 (on the territory of Ukraine). If you have previously left Ukraine for Slovakia on a civil passport, you definitely need to apply for a foreign passport. This can be done in the new DP division "Document". Visitor service is provided from Monday to Saturday, inclusive, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. by electronic and "live" queue. In Bratislava, mobile complexes are located at: Mlynske nivy 5A, 821 09 Bratislava (1st floor, bus station area) Payment for services in mobile complexes is made on the spot using the online service (cash payment is not available). To do this, you need to have a smartphone and a bank card or its details. |
How to issue a foreign passport while abroad?"Passport Service" has become available in Slovakia The State Migration Service, together with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened new division of DP "Dokument" in Slovakia (Bratislava). As reported on the website of DP "Dokument", mobile and technical complexes - specially equipped white minibuses with the "Passport service" symbol - have been put into operation in Bratislava. Visitor service is provided from Monday to Saturday, inclusive, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. by electronic and "live" queue. In Bratislava, mobile complexes are located at: Mlynske nivy 5A, 821 09 Bratislava (1st floor, bus station area) Here, Ukrainians can get the following services:
Payment for services in mobile complexes is made on the spot using the online service (cash payment is not available). To do this, you need to have a smartphone and a bank card or its details. Website & address In order to issue a foreign passport, you need to contact the Ukrainian Embassy A foreign passport is issued to a person who has reached the age of 16 on the basis of an application-questionnaire submitted by him personally. At the same time, the issuance of a foreign passport to a person who has been recognized by the court as having limited legal capacity or incapacity is carried out on the basis of an application-questionnaire of the guardian or other legal representative. The following are attached to the application:
In case of loss or theft of the previous passport, a document (report, certificate, etc.) issued by the competent authority of the state in which the passport was lost or stolen is attached to the application, confirming the fact of the owner's application regarding its loss or theft. Such a document is submitted without legalization and translation into Ukrainian. In the case of issuing a passport in connection with a change in personal data (surname and/or first name), a document confirming such a change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, court decision, etc.) is attached to the application. When issuing a foreign passport with a new surname and/or first name, the "domestic" passport (ID card) must be reissued. In the event that the applicant has not previously been issued with an identity document, confirming Ukrainian citizenship and/or granting the right to leave Ukraine and enter Ukraine, a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine is provided (with the exception of cases when the person's parents at the time of his were citizens of Ukraine at birth). |
How can a Ukrainian refugee register a newborn in this country?You can register the birth of a child only at the consulate. There, the determination of his origin and the assignment of his surname, first name, and patronymic are carried out. The application for registration must be submitted immediately, but no later than one month after the birth of the child, and in the case of a stillborn child - no later than three days. The registration process takes place at the place of birth or at the place of residence of the child's parents or one of them (with a written application). At the same time, in case of illness, death of the parents or for other reasons it is impossible to register the birth - the application can be submitted by relatives or other persons authorized by the representative of the health care institution in which the child was born or is currently. What is required for registration?
Registration is free, and based on its results, parents are issued a birth certificate. How to return to the homeland with a child born in the Slovakia? In order for Ukrainians to return home with a child born in the Slovakia, they must have with them:
Is the status of a citizen of Ukraine preserved during the birth of a child in the Slovakia? A newborn Ukrainian in the Slovakia retains the status of a citizen of Ukraine. Data on citizenship and nationality in the act record of birth and certificate are not filled in, which is why a corresponding entry is made in the column "For marks". In addition, a person whose parents or one of his parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his birth is a citizen of Ukraine. The place of birth of the baby does not affect the possibility of him acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. How to issue temporary protection (odรญdenec/doฤasne utoฤisko) for a newborn child? 1. After the birth of the child, the parents or one of the parents must go to the MATRIฤNร รRAD and obtain a birth certificate (Rodnรฝ list). 2. After that, the parents or one of them must go to the police for foreigners (in Bratislava, this can be done at Bottova 7), where the child will be photographed and pre-registered. Documents: you must bring your parents' passports, your parents' temporary protection documents, your child's birth certificate, and two copies of it (with your contact phone number and email address). 3. Immediately after the police, it is necessary to go to the Migraฤnรฝ รบrad MV SR office (such an office is also located at Bottova 7), provide a copy of the birth certificate and undergo a short interview. 4. After a few days, you will be called and invited to another, slightly longer interview at Migraฤnรฝ รบrad MV SR (one of the parents may come). 5. After the second interview, you will be called and informed when you can pick up the document on temporary protection of the child from the police. Important: persons with temporary protection are not entitled to child birth assistance. If both of the child's parents have a different (different from Slovak) citizenship, the child does NOT receive Slovak citizenship automatically upon birth on the territory of Slovakia. |
Where to apply in case of death of a Ukrainian abroad? How to repatriate the deceased to their homeland?There are several steps involved in the process of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine: 1. Notify the authorities. The first step of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine is to contact the local authorities in Slovakia, so you can register the death. Ukrainian embassy 2. Arrange the correct documents. Youโll need to have all the right paperwork before you can repatriate your loved one home from abroad to Ukraine. If you are repatriating a body to Ukraine for burial or cremation, the documents you will need include:
All the mentioned documents should be authenticated, legalized and translated into Ukrainian by the certified translator. The originals of abovementioned documents and notarized translations, must accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The passport of the deceased person should be sent to the Embassy of Ukraine along with a notarized and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Death, and a translation from Slovak to Ukrainian. The Embassy is to make correspondent procedures with the passport and can forward it back if it is required to accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The Embassy is to be informed of the date, time, and the place of delivery of the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. Only the next of kin relatives of the deceased, or persons correspondingly authorized by them, can receive the casket or urn. 3. Transport the deceased to Ukraine. The casket containing the body, or urn with ashes, must be sealed by the Funeral Home. There are no strict requirements with respect to the urn with ashes; however, the body should be transported in a metal casket, made of zinc-plated steel or tinplate not more than 0,4 thick. For the air cargo transportation, it is necessary to specify a cemetery in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Funeral Home which will take care of the casket, or the urn with ashes, in Ukraine. Both are a subject of private choice by the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Source |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are numerous shops that offer such services. Look for printer shops & copy centers on Google Maps
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Where can I translate my documents?
You can get your documents translated anywhere in the city you are currenty located. Search for "preklady dokumentov" on Google Search. One of such companies
Official link |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services?Citizens of Ukraine can get free SIM cards with credit and data for one month from Orange |
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