Road Map 

Route 1: Students from the EU / EEA / Switzerland
Step 1
Pre-Arrival & Public Registrations

- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Mandatory Registration: Register your physical EHIC card with the General Health Insurance Company (VšZP) (e.g., at Mamateyova 17, Bratislava) to obtain a local validation card and avoid upfront cash payments.
- Academic & Vocational Recognition: Erasmus+ students need a Learning Agreement, while full-degree or vocational students require official diploma equivalence (Nostrifikácia) via the Ministry of Education (MŠVVaM SR) or regional school authorities.

Step 2
Accommodation & Legal 10-Day Notification

- Securing a Dormitory Slot: Apply via your host institution for state dormitories (ŠD), such as Mlyny UK ([Comenius University Bratislava](https://mlyny.uniba.sk/)) or [TUKE Košice](https://www.tuke.sk/), with monthly fees typically ranging between 80 EUR and 180 EUR.
- The Strict 10-Day Foreign Police Rule: Under Law No. 404/2011 Coll., EU citizens must report their address within 10 working days at the [Foreign Police Department](https://www.esn.sk/) (Bratislava: Regrútska 4), unless automatically registered by an official university dormitory.
- ESN Buddy System Setup: Request a local "Buddy" through ESN Slovakia to navigate local check-ins and bureaucratic hurdles.

Step 3
ISIC Identity, Transit Passes & ESNcard Integration

- The ISIC Card: Universities issue a combined Student Card + ISIC chip (approx. 25 EUR) for campus access and subsidized meals (2.50 EUR – 4.50 EUR) in cafeterias (Jedáleň).
- Free Train Travel & Transit: Full-time students under 26 get 100% free ZSSK rail travel (Bezplatná prebra) via ZSSK. Bratislava municipal transit costs roughly 18 EUR/month via the IDS BK app (IDS BK).
- The ESNcard Activation: Activate an ESNcard for partner discounts including Ryanair and FlixBus.

Step 4
Employment and Personal Tax Frameworks

- The Student Work Agreement (DoBPŠ): Work up to 20 hours/week via the DoBPŠ contract.
- The 200 EUR Social Insurance Exemption: Gross income up to 200 EUR/month is exempt from social contributions. Tax matters are handled via [Finančná správa SR] (https://www.financnasprava.sk/en/financial-administration).

Route 2: Non-EU Students (International Route)
Step 1
Legal Temporary Residence & Insurance Compliance

- Temporary Residence Permit (Prechodno pobyt na prjep studija): Apply for a biometric residence card via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Requires notarized housing proof and comprehensive health insurance (e.g., via [HelloSafe](https://hellosafe.cz/)).

Step 2
Immediate Arrival Logistics

- Connectivity & Police Reporting: Set up data via [Airalo](https://www.airalo.com/). Report in person to the Foreign Police within 3 working days and complete a mandatory medical examination within 30 days.

Step 3
Local Utilities, ESNcard & Banking Setup

- Banking & Fares: Open free student accounts under the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) at institutions like [Tatra banka](https://www.tatrabanka.sk/) or Slovenská sporiteľňa, and link your ISIC for transit discounts.

Step 4
Legal Employment & Tax Limits

- Non-EU students share identical DoBPŠ workforce access and 200 EUR exemptions, but academic continuity is mandatory to maintain legal status monitored by Finanční správa SR.