Slovakia’s Social Insurance Agency (Sociálna poisťovňa) has launched 36 new electronic services designed to reduce paperwork and the need to visit its branches. Some benefits can now be applied for online, while in certain cases the system will automatically determine eligibility without a separate application.
A total of 25 electronic applications are now available to citizens for various types of benefits, including pregnancy benefits, maternity benefits, sickness benefits and unemployment benefits, as well as all major types of pensions.
Pregnancy and Maternity Benefits
One of the main changes concerns pregnancy and maternity benefits (tehotenské and materské). In most cases, applicants will no longer have to submit a separate application. If a doctor enters information about a pregnancy into the electronic system, Sociálna poisťovňa will be able to use the data automatically to assess eligibility for the benefit and subsequently arrange its payment.
The implementation of the system depends on data exchange with healthcare providers. Doctors and other healthcare providers have been given a transition period until 31 January 2027 to adapt their information systems.
Pensions
Pension applications can also be submitted electronically. Some information will be filled in automatically, including registered periods of pension insurance and participation in the second pension pillar.
In addition, applicants will no longer need to contact their bank to obtain confirmation of the account holder. Sociálna poisťovňa will be able to obtain the necessary information directly from the bank. The exception applies to cases where the pension is paid into an account abroad.
A pension application can also be submitted at any Sociálna poisťovňa branch, regardless of the applicant’s place of permanent residence.
Electronic Services for Employers
New options are also available to employers. They can register a company and its first employee online, gain access to electronic services, submit the required documents and pay social insurance contributions through a payment gateway.
At the same time, paper-based and in-person services remain available. The electronic services are currently operating in pilot mode, so citizens can still submit applications by post or directly at Sociálna poisťovňa branches.
All the new services are available through the Elektronický účet poistenca (EUP), the electronic account for insured persons. It can also be used to track submitted applications, received benefits and pension entitlements, submit certain requests, and report changes to personal or bank account details.
