What are employee rights and benefits in Slovakia?

If you're considering working in Slovakia or hiring employees there, it's crucial to understand the employee rights and benefits defined by Slovak labor law. Slovakia, as an EU member state, maintains robust labor protections designed to support workers' welfare, workplace safety, and fair treatment.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about employee rights and benefits in Slovakia, updated for 2025.

Overview of Slovak Labor Law

The main source of employment law in Slovakia is the Labour Code (Zákonník práce), which governs employment contracts, working conditions, wages, and employee protections. EU labor directives also influence national law, especially for anti-discrimination and safety regulations.

1. Employment Contracts

Every employee in Slovakia must have a written employment contract. This contract must include:

• Job title and description
• Start date of employment
• Place of work
• Working hours and schedule
• Wage and payment terms
• Notice periods
• Duration (fixed or indefinite)

Verbal contracts are not legally sufficient and may lead to penalties for employers.

2. Working Hours and Overtime

Standard working time in Slovakia is:

• 40 hours per week
• 8 hours per day, Monday to Friday

Overtime is allowed, but:

• It must be agreed upon in the contract or through a collective agreement.
• The maximum annual overtime is 400 hours per year.
• Overtime must be compensated either with extra pay (minimum 25% bonus) or time off.

Night shifts and weekend work receive higher pay supplements.

3. Minimum Wage in Slovakia (2025)

As of 2025, the gross monthly minimum wage in Slovakia is €750. This amount is regularly adjusted by the government and varies by job complexity and sector.

Employees are also entitled to bonuses based on their job classification.

4. Paid Leave and Holidays

Annual Leave

• The statutory minimum paid leave is 4 weeks (20 working days) per year.
• Employees over 33 years old or with children are entitled to 5 weeks (25 working days).

Public Holidays

Slovakia observes 15 public holidays, and employees are entitled to a day off with full pay on those days.

Sick Leave

• Employees are entitled to sick leave from the first day of illness.
• The employer pays compensation for the first 10 days, then Social Insurance pays from day 11.
• The amount paid is a percentage of the average salary.

Parental Leave

• Maternity leave: 34 weeks (extended in case of complications or multiple births)
• Paternity leave: 14 days (recently extended in compliance with EU directives)
• Parental leave: Available until the child reaches 3 years of age

Parental benefits are paid through the Social Insurance Agency.

5. Social Security and Health Insurance

All employees in Slovakia are automatically enrolled in the social security system, which covers:

• Health insurance
• Pension contributions
• Unemployment insurance
• Sickness and disability benefits

Both employers and employees contribute:

• Employer contribution: around 35.2% of gross salary
• Employee contribution: around 13.4% of gross salary

6. Termination and Notice Periods

An employment contract can be terminated by:

• Mutual agreement
• Employer or employee notice
• Immediate termination (in limited, serious cases)

Notice Periods:

• 1 month if employed less than 1 year
• 2 months if employed 1–5 years
• 3 months if employed over 5 years

Severance pay is applicable in certain dismissal cases, depending on the length of employment.

7. Anti-Discrimination and Equal Treatment

Slovak labor law strictly prohibits discrimination based on:

• Gender
• Age
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion
• Disability
• Sexual orientation

Employers must ensure equal treatment in:

• Recruitment
• Salary
• Training opportunities
• Career advancement

Equal pay for equal work is a legal obligation.

8. Workplace Safety and Health

Employers are required to:

• Ensure a safe and healthy work environment
• Provide regular health and safety training
• Offer necessary protective equipment

The National Labour Inspectorate (NIP) oversees compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

9. Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining

Employees in Slovakia have the right to:

• Join trade unions
• Participate in collective bargaining
• Be represented in labor disputes

Trade unions play a strong role, especially in larger companies and public sector institutions.

10. Other Employee Benefits

Some employers offer additional non-statutory benefits, such as:

• Meal vouchers or financial meal contributions (mandatory in some cases)
• Company mobile phones, laptops
• Travel allowances
• Flexible working hours or home office options
• Language or professional training

These benefits depend on the employer’s policy or collective agreements.

Conclusion

Understanding employee rights and benefits in Slovakia is essential whether you’re starting a new job, moving from abroad, or hiring locally. Slovak labor law is well-structured and offers a high degree of protection to workers, ensuring fair working conditions, adequate compensation, and social security coverage.

For foreign workers or companies expanding into Slovakia, it’s important to stay compliant with local labor legislation to avoid penalties and foster a healthy work environment.