Mental health support for British nationals in Slovakia
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Slovakia.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 155 and ask for the ambulance or police or go to the emergency department at any general hospital.
For less urgent medical attention, make an appointment with a doctor. See our list of doctors and medical facilities in Slovakia .
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter .
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines in to Slovakia
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and travel advice link.
Accessing medicines in Slovakia
You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Slovakia. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Slovakia is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Slovakia, you should approach a local pharmacy who can provide advice and a list of local doctors.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Slovakia. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are limited in Slovakia. You should consider whether this impacts your ability to travel there.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Slovakia, you would need to be referred from a specialist doctor. This can also happen as a follow up of an emergency examination – referral from an emergency GP.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a risk to themselves or others. In Slovakia this is called NEDOBROVOĽNÁ HOSPITALIZÁCIA.
Within 24 hours, healthcare facility is responsible to report the hospitalisation to the court. The court must decide within 5 days, whether the legal reasons for involuntary admission are met, whether the individual, due to mental disorder or symptoms of mental disorder:
- poses a danger to themselves
- poses a danger to others, or
- if there is a risk of severe deterioration of individual’s health condition
After 3 months (detention), there is a reassessment by the court, involving an expert witness. The maximum detention period is 1 year.
This is comparable to ’sectioning’ in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Slovakia without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance or GHIC.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Slovakia for advice. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in Slovakia.
Support from agencies and organisations in Slovakia
Contact this organisation in Slovakia for mental health support and advice:
This organisation is likely to have English-speaking staff.
There is also a social support organisation in Slovakia that you may wish to contact.
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
- Befrienders Worldwide with the Samaritans
- World Federation for Mental Health
- World Health Organization
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.