Author
Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to health care under the same conditions as nationals. The Slovenian national system of health insurance is set out in the Health Care and Health Insurance Act.[1] Since January 2024 the services covered by the complementary health insurance are completely covered by the compulsory health insurance, meaning that individuals in Slovenia do not have to cover the costs of additional health insurance in order to have full coverage as was the case before.[2]
Beneficiaries of international protection are covered by compulsory health insurances on the basis of their international protection status.[3] If they are employed, the compulsory health insurance is covered by the employer and taken from their wages.[4]
Child beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to health care services under the same conditions as Slovenian children,[5] which means they have health insurance until they reach the age of 18 (or until 26, as long as they are enrolled in school as regular students).[6]
Compulsory health insurance also covers services for beneficiaries suffering from mental health problems, including torture survivors and other traumatised persons.[7]
In the initial phase after being granted status, beneficiaries also enjoy assistance from the UOIM staff and NGOs. Nevertheless, practical access to healthcare remains challenging in practice because of difficulties from a language and cultural perspective.
In practice, beneficiaries of international protection and employed asylum applicants have troubles obtaining a personal doctor due to a lack of personal doctors in Slovenia. However, this is not connected to their status, and Slovenian citizens face the same difficulties.
[1] Official Gazette of RS, No. 9/1992 and subsequent amendments.
[2] MMC, Dopolnilnega zdravstvenega zavarovanja ni več. Nov prispevek se trga od dohodka, 1 January 2024, available here.
[3] Article 98 IPA.
[4] MMC, Dopolnilnega zdravstvenega zavarovanja ni več. Nov prispevek se trga od dohodka, 1 January 2024, available here.
[5] Article 94(2) IPA.
[6] Article 22 Health Care and Health Insurance Act.
[7] Article 98(1).