Main funding principles

The funding of adult education is governed by Act No. 292/2024 on adult education (zákon č. 292/2024 o vzdelávaní dospelých). The reform centralised the adult education system through the introduction of the Adult Education Information System (Informačný systém vzdelávania dospelých). This government portal serves as a register for educational institutions and, at the same time, as a platform for citizens to facilitate their learning.

The state reimburses the costs associated with education for people aged 16–65, with the exception of active self-employed persons and full-time students, via an individual learning account. €10.4 million from EU funds has been earmarked for this support over three years.  Priority areas for supported programmes include the development of digital and green skills. Training may also focus on basic skills, key competences or interest-based learning.

Programmes with a minimum duration of 12 hours are eligible for support, whilst micro-credentials must be at least 25 hours and accredited programmes 100 hours.

Institutions that have obtained certification in accordance with Act 292/2024 and are therefore authorised to provide adult education programmes are entered in the register of certified institutions. These include higher education institutions, secondary schools, companies, state-run organisations, self-employed individuals and non-profit organisations.

Further support may be obtained from the planned calls under the Programme Slovakia 2026 (Programe Slovensko 2026) in the field of adult education. Under the ‘Skills for Slovakia call – a Programme for Supporting Basic Skills in Adults’ (Zručnosti pre Slovensko - program podpory základných zručností dospelých) eligible applicants are public-sector organisations carrying out activities targeting the unemployed, economically inactive people, young people (including those in NEET situations), people with low qualifications, people from marginalised communities, members of national minorities living in the Slovak Republic, third-country nationals, including migrants, trainers and staff working in adult education, and employed people. 85 per cent of the funds allocated to this call come from the European Social Fund.

Funding for the education of adults who have returned to the formal education system in primary and secondary schools with the aim of obtaining or extending/supplementing their qualifications depends on whether they have the status of a pupil or a participant in education and training.

People under the age of 26 who are enrolled in secondary school and people (regardless of age) who are enrolled in further vocational education are considered pupils. If they are studying on a full-time basis, the state contributes the full amount of the prescribed standard normative (per-capita rate) towards their education; for part-time study, 40 per cent of the normative applies. For further information, see Chapter 2.1 Early Childhood and School Education Funding.

If a person aged 27 or over returns to a standard educational or study programme that is not a post-secondary study programme, they have the status of a participant in education and training. Such a person is subject to the 10 per cent of normative rate. This applies whether the education is organised as day or evening classes.

Fees paid by learners

Education participants pay charges for education to the organisers (it is the rule in the case of private education institutions). Exemptions may include:

• corporate training (paid by the employer),
• staff education /training in the civil and public service (covered from the budget resources -  public resources),
• education for the labour market for the registered unemployed, which is also  covered from the public resources,
• training centres attached to secondary vocational schools.

Trainees do not have to contribute mandatorily for the support of students’ organisations or health centres. The legislation does not impose an obligation upon the employer to provide work relief to trainees; it is at the employer’s discretion and by granting work relief he may bind an employee to stay in employment for a specified period, or else return  finances that have been provided  to trainees during their participation in training and for the training itself.

Financial support for adult learners

Adult students can apply for reimbursement of education-related costs through an individual learning account. A citizen who is entitled to a financial contribution of 200 euros will also be able to allocate this sum and use it, for example, for career guidance or to have the outcomes of their completed training validated. Costs may be paid to a certified educational institution or to an individual listed in the register of providers of career guidance for adults. The amount of support for a given year is determined by the central government body responsible for the relevant area. The citizen, the employer and the state all participate in the funding of education through the individual account.

In the case of training centres attached to secondary vocational schools, it is possible to obtain a new qualification and an apprenticeship certificate free of charge. These are intended for those who have not completed their school education, people without qualifications and the unemployed. In addition to free education, participants also receive an allowance for meals, travel and workwear.

Further support can be obtained through planned calls under the Programme Slovakia 2026.

Subsidies for private providers

Private education institutions outside schools arose on the basis of the act on civil associations, the trade licensing act, etc.  The Trade Licensing Act allows carrying out further education as a free business.

Private organisations are largely self-financing, charging fees for education. They can seek subsidies from public funds, such as from grants for education, staff training in state administration or for re-training courses  The criteria for entitlement and  the amount of financial support are stipulated by the legislation relating to the above options.  

Further funding of adult education is provided from ESF (European social fund) resources based on calls, which are currently made particularly in the operation programme Human Resources (Ľudské zdroje) by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, or other intermediary bodies.