If you are planning to move to the Slovak Republic and obtain a residence permit, it is worth worrying about health insurance 
beforehand
Insurance is not a prerequisite for entering the country or obtaining a residence permit. However, if you have health problems, you will have to pay for all the costs of examination and treatment, for each visit to a doctor.
Moreover, if you do not take care of the insurance within 3 days after receiving the residence permit document, you may be fined.
So what types of insurance are available for citizens of other countries?
State insurance
You can choose this option if you have obtained a residence permit on the basis of:
– employment or
– opening a sole proprietorship.
State insurance is provided by the following companies: Dôvera, Union and Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa.
What are the specifics?
You/your employer must make fixed insurance payments each month. These benefits are directly affected by your finances. The insurance is 14% of the amount of your income. A nice bonus in this case is that your children will be fully insured absolutely free of charge. The state insurance covers quite a wide range of medical expenses, including part of the cost of the drugs prescribed to you.
Commercial health insurance
Usually such insurance is used by those who have received residence permit on the basis of:
– study,
– opening a company (S.R.O.),
– family reunification.
It can be arranged in the following companies: AXA, Union, Assistance, Maxima, Ergo and others.
What are the specifics?
Commercial insurance is bought immediately for a specific period – month, quarter, year. The cost depends on the package of services, the term of the contract and other factors. The amount of coverage varies greatly. For example, such insurance may not cover planned care at all, only emergency services. Or, on the contrary, it may cover almost the full range of medical care. Of course, this will also affect the price.
Of course, there are people who risk staying in Slovakia or another EU country without insurance. But, as the past year has shown us, things happen in life, including sudden crisis situations 
