Informative Materials – Slovakia

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1 Informative Materials – Slovakia
1.1 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Slovakia
1.2.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2.2 General about recognition for purpose continuing education
1.3 Employment conditions in Slovakia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.4 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Portugal (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.5 Information on earning
1.6 Job offers
1.7 Some statistic data
1.8 Link to relevant websites in country
1.9 Useful materials
1.10 References

In Slovakia the main Education Paths are offered through Regional Education.

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Regarding formal learning in health and social areas, the studies can be addressed in a) secondary general education and training, particularly at gymnasiums that prepare principally for study at universities. In this case they also prepare for some activities in administration, culture, and other areas and b) secondary professional education and training in which students at secondary professional schools prepare principally for professional occupations, including technical, economic, pedagogic, health care, social and legal, administrative, artistic, and cultural, as well as for study at universities.

At the secondary professional training schools, students prepare in educational fields for skilled labour and professional occupations, especially for occupations requiring specialized skills and certain technical and occupations of an operational nature.

For more information see:

Regarding the caregiver’s profession/carer is also defined that a qualified caregiver must have either a medical education or completed an accredited nursing course of at least 220 hours. Concerning the carer profession, the qualifying condition can include one of the following:

  • higher professional education obtained in the field of education with a focus on caregiving or the provision of health care,
  • complete secondary professional education obtained in the field of education with a focus on caregiving or the provision of health care,
  • secondary professional education obtained in the field of education with a focus for caregiving or the provision of health care,
  • lower secondary vocational education obtained in the field of education with a focus on caregiving or the provision of health care, or
  • completion of an accredited caregiving course of at least 220 hours.

This carer profession is regulated under the Act No. 448/2008 Coll. on social services and amending Act no. 455/1991 Coll. on trade entrepreneurship (Trade Act) as amended. More information here

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Slovakia

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

The recognition of education or skills acquired through non-formal and informal learning uses the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) whose purpose is to make qualifications more readable and understandable across different countries and systems. In close cooperation with the European Commission, European Centre for the development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) also provides analytical and coordination support for the implementation of the EQF.

The European Commission Information about recognition of Professional Qualifications – Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs delivers the following information:

User guide, Directive 2005/36/EC – All you need to know about recognition of professional qualifications, Publications Office, 2020, available in here (It permits the download in all languages)

CEDEFOP (Vocational education and training in Slovakia)

General about recognition for purpose continuing education

In Slovakia the academic recognition can be achieved in here

Employment conditions in Slovakia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens see

Depending on if you are an EEA citizen or a third-country citizen, you might need to obtain a work permit. This means you need a National Visa and a residence permit. To find work in Slovakia, you can check profesia.sk as it is the largest work advertisement website in Slovakia.

If you are relocating to Slovakia from outside the EEA, you will need a work permit and a residence permit. These can be obtained from the

For regulations concerning recognition of education for purpose of work see

Ministry of education, science, research and sport – Centre of recognition of foreign diplomats and Professional qualifications

Stromová, 1

SK – 813 30 Bratislava 1, SLOVENSKO / SLOVAKIA

Tel: +421 2 59 374 923Email: sudv@minedu.sk.

Website

Language requirements: foreigners need to have good command of Slovakian language. The professional can apply for a Slovakian language course. More information can be found in Slovak Language

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Portugal (as low-skilled foreigners)

Nonformal education can be found (e.g.) Quikrskills

Information on earning

Caregiver salaries in Slovakia vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location and education level.

According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI, 2023) The average pay for a Caregiver is €13,872 a year and €7 an hour in Slovakia (gross amount). The average salary range for a Caregiver is between €10,571 and €16,106. On average, a High School Degree is the highest level of education for a Caregiver. This compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Slovakia.

Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

Salaries for the position Caregiver in Slovakia range from 550 EUR (starting salary) to 1,750 EUR (maximum salary, gross amount). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country (SalaryExplorer, 2023)

The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Caregiver and this is what we found.

 Additionally, the salaries can vary by education level for the position Caregiver as the following:

  • Level 1: High School: Employees at this education level have an average salary of 840 EUR.
  • Level 2: Certificate or Diploma At this level, the average salary becomes 1,200 EUR, 43% more than the previous level.
  • Level 3: Bachelor’s Degree: At this level, the average salary becomes 1,660 EUR, 38% more than the previous level.

Information available in ERI and Salary explorer (Non-Official websites)

Job offers

Employement Institute in Slovakia

Additional national services to work in Slovakia

Some statistic data

The aging index has been increasing in Slovakia in the last decade. The historical turning point was 2018, when the number of seniors exceeded the number of children for the first time – 102 people aged 65 and over for every 100 children. The latest population forecast points to a continuing increase in the aging index until 2060 (up to 220 people aged 65 and over per 100 children under the age of 15). Current research indicates that the most significant demographic trend will be at the regional level (Bleha et al. 2018; Repková, 2020).

Responsibility for long-term care in Slovakia is formally divided between the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (MLSAF) (provision of social services and cash benefits) and the Ministry of Health (geriatric clinics, medical and nursing facilities for the long-term ill, nursing care homes, and nursing care agencies).

Long-term care takes three forms: formal care in the form of residential services, formal care provided at home (home care services), and informal care at home (Gerbery & Bednarik, 2018).

Since 2012, Slovakia has begun the process of transforming social services to create and secure conditions for citizens dependent on assistance in their natural social environment, including transferring selected competences to the local and regional level, ensuring the principle of social subsidiarity, and supporting the community character of the provision of social services.

There is currently an unconnected multi-level system of long-term care services in Slovakia. Health care and social services are two separate systems, governed by their own legislation and standards.

Currently, social services for seniors are provided mainly in senior living facilities, specialised facilities, and social service centres. Outpatient social services are provided for seniors mainly through home care services (2) Health care system – care for seniors is also provided within the structures of the health system (Act 576/2004 Coll.), primarily aimed at persons with chronic diseases and elderlies in need of special geriatric care.

This is mainly provided through home nursing agencies – ambulatory care and institutional care (long-term care departments, geriatric, and palliative departments in hospitals) – and in specialised healthcare facilities, especially in long-term care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.

All these types of healthcare are financed by health insurance companies, mainly on a flat-rate basis.

See more information in.

Link to relevant websites in country

Useful materials

Complete Guide: Getting Work in Slovakia As a Foreigner – Explore Little Big Slovakia

References