Author
While residing in an asylum facility or integration centre, applicants are entitled to material reception conditions free of charge, including accommodation, food or financial allowance for food, basic hygiene items and other items necessary for subsistence.[1] During their stay in the Accommodation Centre, asylum seekers may participate in Slovak language courses provided by the Ministry of the Interior.[2] In addition to material reception conditions, asylum seekers may receive psychological counselling, social counselling, other specialised counselling services and cultural orientation courses. These services are provided on the basis of an individual assessment of the applicant’s needs. For children, such support may also be provided where necessary to promote their healthy development and well-being.[3]
Applicants are also provided with a financial allowance (“pocket money”), paid monthly, in the amount of €1 per day for adults and €0.50 per day for children under 18,[4] unless specific exclusion grounds apply.
Pocket money shall not be granted to an applicant:
- if the applicant has lodged a subsequent application for asylum and the previous asylum procedure was discontinued pursuant to Article 19(1)(a), (c), (f), (g) or (i) of the Asylum Act,
- if the applicant attempted to enter the territory of another state unlawfully,
- if the applicant voluntarily left the territory of the Slovak Republic and was subsequently returned to the territory of the Slovak Republic,
- if the applicant is employed or has other income at least in the amount of the subsistence minimum for one adult person under a special regulation,
- or if the Ministry has decided that the applicant is obliged to contribute proportionately to the costs associated with his or her stay in an asylum facility or integration centre or to the costs of provided healthcare, where the applicant’s financial or property situation allows at least partial reimbursement of such costs.
In the Accommodation Centers in Rohovce and in Opatovská Nová Ves, the amount of financial allowance may be increased up to €1.50 per day for applicants performing work activities within the facility.[5]
Asylum seekers in Slovakia are treated less favourably than Slovak nationals regarding access to social benefits and material support. This difference stems from the fact that most social welfare schemes are linked either to Slovak citizenship or to a specific residence status, such as permanent or temporary residence. Asylum seekers, whose stay in the country is based on their status as applicants for international protection rather than a residence permit, are therefore excluded from a significant part of the social protection system available to nationals and legally residing third-country nationals.
[1] Article 22(4) of the Asylum Act.
[2] Article 22(6) of the Asylum Act.
[3] Article 22(7) of the Asylum Act.
[4] Article 2(3) of the Internal Rules of the Accommodation Center in Opatovská Nová Ves.
[5] Article 2(3) of the Internal Rules of the Accommodation Centre Opatovská Nová Ves.