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Disability pension

Has a doctor assessed you as having a long-term adverse health condition? Find out whether you are entitled to an invalidity pension and how to apply.

Guide to obtaining an invalidity pension

  1. An invalidity pension is a benefit that replaces income if your health prevents you from working to the full extent. It is paid from invalidity insurance, which forms part of pension insurance and is 
    paid by employers, self-employed persons, voluntarily insured persons or, in some cases, the state.

     

    When you are entitled

    Entitlement arises if your health causes your ability to work to decrease by more than 40% compared with a healthy person.

    The health condition must be long-term, usually lasting more than one year.

     

    What invalidity means

    Invalidity is a condition in which:

    • you have a long-term adverse health condition,
    • your ability to work has decreased by more than 40%.

     

    Warning: If you have several diagnoses, the doctor primarily assesses the one with the greatest impact on your ability to work.

    Other diagnoses may increase the assessed reduction by no more than 10%.

  2. 1

    You are entitled to an invalidity pension if:

    • your ability to work has decreased by at least 40%,
    • the reduction is assessed by a medical assessor based on your health condition,
    • you have completed the required number of years of pension insurance.

     

    How many years of insurance you need

    The number of years depends on your age:

    • under age 20—less than one year,
    • age 20 to 24—at least one year,
    • age 24 to 28—at least two years,
    • age 28 to 34—at least five years,
    • age 34 to 40—at least eight years,
    • age 40 to 45—at least 10 years,
    • over age 45—at least 15 years.

    Insurance is assessed over the entire period before the invalidity arose.

     

    Exceptions

    The number of insurance years is not examined if:

    • the invalidity arose as a result of an occupational injury or occupational disease,
    • the invalidity arose while you were a dependent child or a full-time doctoral student under the age of 26.

    In these cases, you must have permanent residence in Slovakia.

     

    Additional condition

    You are entitled to an invalidity pension only if:

    • you are not entitled to an old-age pension,
    • and have not been granted an early old-age pension.
  3. 2

    Inform your doctor

    • tell your general practitioner that you wish to apply for an invalidity pension,
    • provide all medical reports that the doctor does not yet have.

    This gives the doctor time to prepare your medical records.

     

    Inform your employer

    If you will continue working for the same employer:

    • tell the employer the date from which you are applying for the pension,
    • the employer will prepare the pension insurance record sheet.

     

    Assessment of your health condition

    Your health condition is assessed by a Social Insurance Agency medical assessor:

    • usually without your personal attendance,
    • on the basis of medical records and reports.

    From 1 August 2026, the medical assessor may obtain your medical records electronically from the citizen's electronic health record. You no longer need to bring medical findings if they are available electronically.

    The application and health assessment usually take place on the same day.

  4. The degree of invalidity is assessed as follows:

    • the doctor assesses each case individually,
    • primarily on the basis of the main, decisive condition,
    • other diagnoses may affect the degree of reduction.

    If the medical assessor finds a presumed degree of invalidity above 40%, this information appears in your Electronic Insured Person Account. It is indicative only; the exact degree is determined in the decision.

    If a condition is not listed in the law, it is compared with a similar condition according to its functional impact.

    Explanation: The percentage reduction in the ability to perform gainful activity for individual disabilities is specified in Opens in a new windowAnnex 4 to the Social Insurance Act. If the disability causing the long-term adverse health condition is not listed, the percentage is determined according to the disability with the most comparable functional impact.

    Detailed information is available on the Social Insurance Agency Opens in a new windowwebsite.

  5. 3

    From 1 August 2026, you can also apply for an invalidity pension electronically. The electronic application is pre-filled with available information, so you enter only a minimum of data. The Social Insurance Agency processes the application automatically and informs you about the status of the proceedings.

    Submit an invalidity pension application

    You must apply in order to receive an invalidity pension.

    From 1 August 2026, you may submit an application for an invalidity pension:

    electronically using the Invalidity Pension Application form,Opens in a new window in person at a Social Insurance Agency branch.

    The electronic application is pre-filled with information available to the Social Insurance Agency, and you enter only information that cannot be obtained automatically.

    A paper pension application is prepared at the Social Insurance Agency branch responsible for your permanent residence. You 
    can book an appointment in advance here: Appointment System for Preparing a Pension Opens in a new windowApplication.

     

    Useful tip: If you are staying away from your permanent residence and cannot attend the competent branch for health reasons:

    • you may also apply according to your temporary residence.

    If you do not have permanent residence in Slovakia:

    • submit the application at the Social Insurance Agency headquarters.

     

    Good to know: Branch locations and opening hours are available on the Social Insurance Agency Opens in a new windowwebsite.

    If you have additional questions or need advice, you may also contact the Information and Advisory Centre.Opens in a new window

    More information about the electronic application is available here: Submitting an Invalidity Pension ApplicationOpens in a new window.

  6. What documents you need for an invalidity pension application

    When applying, prepare:

    Basic documents

    • a valid identity card or passport,
    • the completed Examination—Assessment form confirmed by your treating doctor,
    • education documents, such as a vocational certificate, school-leaving certificate or diploma,
    • employment and income documents not recorded in the system.

    For an electronic application, you do not need to submit confirmations already available to the Social Insurance Agency in public registers. These mainly include employment, income, children, military service and bank account ownership information.

     

    Additional documents depending on your situation

    You may also need:

    • a pension insurance record sheet if you continue working; your employer submits it,
    • military service documents, if you are a man,
    • confirmation of completion of compulsory schooling, if requested,
    • confirmation of employment abroad, if applicable.

     

    Documents relating to children, only in some cases

    Submit these documents only if requested or relevant to you:

    • children's birth certificates, for example if they were born abroad,
    • a decision placing a child in your care,
    • a child's death certificate,
    • documents concerning childcare.

     

    Pension payment into an account

    If you want the pension paid into a bank account:

     

    Warning: Depending on your situation, you may need other documents as well.

  7. 4

    Decision deadline

    • the Social Insurance Agency usually decides within 60 days,
    • the time limit begins on the application date.

     

    How you receive the decision

    The decision will be delivered:

    • by post, or
    • to your electronic mailbox, if activated.

    From 1 August 2026, you can also view the status of the proceedings in your Electronic Insured Person Account. Once delivered, the decision is also available electronically on the Social Insurance Agency portal.

    If you disagree with the decision

    You may appeal:

    • within 30 days of receiving the decision,
    • at a Social Insurance Agency branch or its headquarters.

    From 1 August 2026, you may also appeal electronically through the Social Insurance Agency portal or Slovensko.sk. The form is pre-filled with information from your application, and a copy is stored in your electronic mailbox after submission.

    If you do not understand the decision:

    • you may request an explanation,
    • a new 30-day appeal period begins when the explanation is delivered.

     

    What happens after an appeal

    • the appeal is decided by the Director General of the Social Insurance Agency,
    • no further appeal may be lodged against that decision,
    • you may apply to a court within two months of receiving the decision.

     

    Warning: In more complex cases, the time limit may be extended by no more than 60 days. 
    The Social Insurance Agency will inform you.

     

  8. 5

    How the invalidity pension amount is determined

    The pension amount mainly depends on:

    • the duration of pension insurance,
    • the period from the onset of invalidity until retirement age,
    • the degree of reduction in the ability to work, determined by a doctor,
    • your earnings during your working life, meaning your gross earnings, including contributions paid to the Social Insurance Agency.

     

    Warning: The pension amount is always assessed individually according to your circumstances.

    How the pension is paid

    • the pension is paid monthly in advance,
    • the payment date is determined by the Social Insurance Agency,
    • you may receive the benefit:
      • into an account, or
      • in cash.

    The pension may also be paid into your spouse's account if you agree and have authority to use the account.

    More detailed information about pension payments is available in the section: Pension Opens in a new windowPayments.

     

    Good to know: In some cases, the pension may be paid provisionally:

    • if you meet the conditions but not all information is yet known,
    • after the decision, the Social Insurance Agency will pay any difference due.

    All other important information is available on the Social Insurance Agency Opens in a new windowwebsite.

    Tip

    Some municipalities provide invalidity pension recipients with:

    • a reduced municipal waste fee,
    • a reduced dog tax.

    Each municipality sets the conditions in its generally binding regulation.

    You may also apply for these discounts electronically through Slovensko.sk after selecting the relevant municipality.

     

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