Slovakia: temporary refuge (odídenec) for Ukrainians automatically extended until 4 March 2027

The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic (MV SR) has confirmed that temporary refuge (in Slovak — dočasné útočisko, person's status — odídenec) for Ukrainian citizens and their family members is automatically extended until 4 March 2027. The relevant notice was published by the ministry on 19 February 2026.

What exactly has changed

Previously, the odídenec status was valid until 4 March 2026. Now its validity has been extended for another year — until 4 March 2027. This applies to everyone who already holds valid temporary refuge in Slovakia.

Most importantly: the extension is automatic. You do not need to resubmit an application, appear in person at the foreign police department, or separately request an extension. The status is extended on its own on the basis of a decision at EU level.

Legal basis

The extension is based on the Council of the EU Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460, adopted on 15 July 2025, which extended temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine across the entire European Union until 4 March 2027. The interior ministers of the EU member states had already expressed political agreement on 13 June 2025.

At the national level, the application of this decision in Slovakia is enabled by the government regulation of 21 February 2025, which provides for the automatic extension of the odídenec status in accordance with the decisions of the Council of the EU.

How to verify and update your document

The validity of your temporary refuge and the new validity date (04.03.2027) can be verified online on the official portal of Slovakia's Ministry of the Interior, portal.minv.sk. After entering your details, the system allows you to generate a current confirmation of dočasné útočisko status with the updated validity period.

A reminder of what the documents look like in Slovakia:

• after registering temporary refuge, a person receives a paper confirmation "Dočasné útočisko" in A4 format — it serves as a temporary document and is valid for up to 90 days, until the state issues a residence card;
• the state subsequently issues a residence card (proof of residence). If you did not have a residence address at the time of registration, the card can be obtained later by booking a new appointment through the Ministry of the Interior system.

Who this applies to

The extension covers Ukrainian citizens and their family members who fled the Russian armed aggression and already hold odídenec status in Slovakia. The status maintains access to legal residence, healthcare, education and employment within the country.

Please note: temporary protection is a temporary mechanism. At EU level, recommendations are already being discussed on a gradual exit from the temporary protection regime after it ends, so it is worth following further official announcements from Slovakia's Ministry of the Interior.