Unemployment benefits

Guide to receiving unemployment benefit

1. 1

   Who is entitled to unemployment benefit?

   You are entitled to the benefit if:

   • you are registered at the labour office,
   • over the last 4 years you were covered by unemployment insuranceOpens in a new window for at least 2 years (730 days).

   Insurance counted towards this period includes, for example:

   • from employment,
   • from an agreement (dohoda),
   • from service as a police officer or professional soldier,
   • from voluntary insurance.

   Example: You were entered into the labour office register from 1 August 2026. From 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2026 you worked for 1 year for one employer (365 days) and 1 year for another employer (365 days). In total you have 730 days of insurance, so you meet both conditions.

   Important information
   You can receive unemployment benefit for a maximum of 6 months from being entered into the jobseekers’ register.
   Payment of the benefit is suspended if, during this period, you receive: sickness benefit, care benefit, maternity benefit, or parental allowance.

2. How much will you receive?

   The amount of the benefit depends on the date you were entered into the jobseekers’ register.

   If you were registered by 31 December 2025
   The benefit is 50% of your daily assessment base (hereinafter “DAB”).
   Approximate calculation: (24 months × average gross wage / 730 days) × 50% × number of days in the month.

   If you were registered from 1 January 2026
   The amount of the benefit gradually decreases:
   Months 1–3: 50% of DAB,
   Month 4: 40% of DAB,
   Month 5: 30% of DAB,
   Month 6: 20% of DAB.
   Approximate calculation: (24 months × average gross wage / 730 days) × the relevant rate × number of days in the month.

   You can calculate the approximate amount of unemployment benefit using the calculatorOpens in a new window for an informative calculation of the unemployment benefit.

   How the benefit is paid
   The benefit is paid monthly, in arrears. You can choose the payment method: to a bank account, or in cash by post.

   Useful tip: If the benefit is lower than the subsistence minimum, you may also be entitled to assistance in material need. More information can be found in the guide to assistance in material needOpens in a new window.

3. 2

   Register at the Labour Office

   When registering as a jobseeker you can also apply for unemployment benefit at the same time.

   How to register

   In person

   • at the labour office,
   • fill in the Application for entry into the jobseekers’ registerOpens in a new window.

   Electronically

   • via Slovensko.skOpens in a new window,
   • details can be found in the guide to registering at the labour officeOpens in a new window.

   Important information: The labour office will automatically forward your application to the Social Insurance Agency. You do not need to contact it separately.

4. 3

   Apply directly to the Social Insurance Agency

   If you did not apply for the benefit when registering at the labour office, you can do so afterwards.

   How to submit the application

   Electronically

   • via Slovensko.sk,
   • you need an ID card with a chip (eID) and a qualified electronic signature (KEP).

   In writing

   • in person or by post,
   • you can download the Application for unemployment benefitOpens in a new window in advance from the Social Insurance Agency’s website and fill it in to speed up processing. In the application, do not forget to state the date you were entered into the jobseekers’ register.

   Don’t forget: State the date of entry into the jobseekers’ register in the application.

5. 4

   Obligations while receiving the benefit

   While receiving the benefit you must:

   • be registered at the labour office,
   • report to the Social Insurance Agency within 8 days any change that may affect your entitlement (e.g. starting work abroad, being granted another benefit abroad, or changing the payment method).

   Important information
   Unemployment benefit is not paid if you receive: sickness benefit, care benefit, maternity benefit, or parental allowance. After these benefits stop, payment of unemployment benefit resumes.

6. 5

   When the benefit ends

   Entitlement to unemployment benefit ends:

   • upon expiry of the 6-month support period,
   • on the day of removal from the jobseekers’ register,
   • on the day an old-age, early old-age, or disability pension is granted (for a decline in work capacity of more than 70%),
   • with a one-off payment of 50% of the benefit for the remaining part of the support period,
   • on the day of death.