In recent years, Slovakia has become one of the countries that have provided shelter to thousands of Ukrainian families forced to leave their homes due to the war. A significant part of them settled down with children, and the issue of education became key not only for preserving the continuity of the educational process, but also for the integration of children into a new social environment. Starting from September 1, 2025, Slovakia is implementing new legislative changes that fundamentally change the legal status of education for refugee children from Ukraine.
Legislative framework: what has changed
On October 30, 2024, the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted key changes to the legislation affecting refugee children. In the new version of the law, attendance at educational institutions is mandatory for children aged 5 to 16 who are in Slovakia with the status of temporary protection “Dočásne útočisko” or “odídenec”. This means that from September 1, 2025, children who have received this status or are in the process of obtaining it, are required to join the local education system according to their age.
The so-called “preparatory year” in kindergarten becomes mandatory for all children who will be five years old by August 31 of the current year. And from the age of six, a child must start studying in primary school. The educational obligation applies to all subsequent stages until reaching the age of 16. Parents or official guardians are legally responsible for complying with these requirements, and are obliged to submit an application for the child’s enrollment in the relevant educational institution in a timely manner.
For children who have been granted temporary protection status or whose registration has only started until December 31, 2024, parents must ensure that they start studying in kindergarten or school from September 1, 2025. Those who will receive this status between January 1 and August 31, 2025, must apply for admission to the educational institution no later than December 1, 2025. And for those who will receive the status after September 1, 2025, a three-month period has been established from the moment of the start of the application procedure to the Police for Foreigners (Cudzinecká polícia), which is the starting point for granting temporary protection.
These requirements also apply to children who are awaiting consideration of an application for temporary protection. The procedure is considered to have started from the moment of personal submission of the application at the relevant police department, after prior registration through the electronic reservation system.
Reasons for changes
Slovakia’s decision regarding compulsory school education for refugee children is based not only on the desire to provide children with equal conditions with local peers, but also on the principles of integration policy. The long stay of children outside the school system, especially during the formation of basic competencies, can have irreversible consequences for their development and socialization.
In addition, due to the increase in the number of Ukrainian children in Slovakia, there was a need to harmonize the system of accounting and attendance control, to ensure high-quality language support and adaptation of children in classes. The education policy of the country is increasingly oriented towards inclusiveness and consideration of the needs of children who have survived the traumatic experiences of war and forced resettlement.
Synchronization with Ukrainian education
In this context, it is also important to take into account the changes taking place in Ukraine. From September 1, 2025, the Ukrainian online education system for students abroad will undergo an update: the procedure for enrollment and confirmation of acquired education will be complicated, new conditions for passing assessments and participating in the school process will appear. Therefore, parents should make sure that the educational format they choose complies with both Slovak and Ukrainian legislation, especially if there are plans to return or continue education in the Ukrainian system.
The availability of parallel education – in a Slovak school and in a Ukrainian online class – must be carefully considered, taking into account the workload, the language of instruction, the psychological state of the child and the technical capabilities of the family.
Legal implications for parents
Failure to comply with the duty of education may have consequences for parents or guardians. In Slovakia, liability for violations of educational legislation is provided for, which may include not only fines, but also restriction of access to certain social benefits. Thus, families who are in the status of temporary protection should be especially attentive to the new norms and take all the necessary actions to enroll a child in an educational institution.
From a practical point of view, this means: establishing contact with the nearest kindergarten or school, preparing documents, passing an introductory interview or an interview with teachers, submitting an application and fulfilling all accompanying conditions, which may differ depending on the region or type of school.
The obligation to receive education in Slovakia for children with the status of temporary protection is not only a legal dimension, but also an important tool of adaptation, protection and socialization in the conditions of emigration. Participating in school gives children the opportunity to learn a new language, make friends, feel part of a community and develop the skills they need for the future. And for Ukrainian parents, this is also a responsibility both before the law and for the children themselves, who need stability, support and full access to education.
As the new school year approaches, families should contact local schools now, get advice and prepare for the start of the school process.
