On 1 July the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic amended its Act No. 480/2002 on Asylum with a new legal regulation, as part of Lex Ukraine 4. The new regulation brings changes to asylum procedures and provision of temporary protection to those fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine, including the provision of aid. 

In particular, the amendment outlines the following measures:

• Accommodation subsidies for refugees will now be provided solely under the Asylum Act (the provision concerning accommodation subsidies for refugees under the Ministry of Transport has been removed) and the Government Regulation issued to implement it, which was approved by the cabinet on 26 June 2024.
• Accommodation subsidies for refugees will only be provided free for the first 120 days following the granting of temporary protection status in Slovakia. After this period, subsidies will only be available for the accommodation of vulnerable persons. The legislation defines “vulnerable persons” as: 
  • a member of the household in material need; 
  • a person with severe disabilities;               
  • an individual aged 65 or older;
  • a parent caring for a child under 5 years of age or a person caring for a child under 5 years of age based on a court decision;
  • a child under 5 years of age of one of the parents or a person providing personal care based on a court decision.
• Instead of the current monthly reporting requirement, refugees must personally report to the municipality twice a month while they are being provided accommodation (with at least 14 days between reports). 
• Accommodation for refugees in asylum facilities operated by the Migration Office will similarly receive this support for a maximum of 120 days from their initial confirmation of temporary protection status in Slovakia. After this period, the accommodation will only be available for vulnerable persons, including individuals aged 65 or older, single parents caring for a child under 5 years of age, a parent caring for a child under 5 years of age or a person caring for a child under 5 years of age based on a court decision, a child under 5 years of age of one of the parents in a couple, or a person providing personal care based on a court decision.

Additional Changes:

• The procedure for granting temporary protection in Slovakia will be simplified if the process was initiated by the birth of a child in Slovakia to a refugee or foreigner requesting temporary refuge.
• Asylum seekers or foreigners with subsidiary protection will no longer receive a one-time allowance and integration allowance if they have or have had permanent or temporary residence in Slovaki,a or have already been provided with temporary protection in Slovakia.
• Additional cases are established where refugees must leave the asylum facility, including when their temporary refuge is terminated, when the Ministry announces their transfer to another asylum facility, or if the refugee severely violates the asylum facility's internal rules.
• Refugees accommodated in an asylum facility as of 30 June 2024 will have the opportunity to remain there until 31 July 2024. Vulnerable persons can stay beyond this date if they request an extension from the Ministry of the Interior by 15 July 2024.

Read more about the legislative changes here.