Are you planning to train your employees, but are put off by the costs? Right now, you have a unique opportunity. The Central Office of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family opened the second round of applications on July 6, 2026 as part of the national project “Improving Employee Skills”. Employers can receive a financial contribution covering 100% of eligible expenses for the professional training of their employees —including wage compensation during the course. Applications may be submitted only until September 7, 2026, so don’t hesitate.
In this article, you’ll learn who is eligible to apply for the grant, what courses are supported, how much funding you can receive, and how the entire process works step by step.
What Is the National Project “Employee Skills Enhancement”
The National Project “Improving Employee Skills” is an active labor market measure implemented pursuant to Section 54(1)(a) of Act No. 5/2004 Coll. on Employment Services. The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund+ (85%) and the Slovak Republic’s state budget (15%) under the “Slovakia” Program, priority “Skills for Better Adaptability and Inclusion.”
Its goal is to support the upskilling of employees and improve their adaptability to changes in the labor market. Priority is given to training for jobs at risk from automation and the transition to the greenand digital economy. In other words, the government will reimburse companies for training courses that help their employees keep their jobs in a changing economy.
Call for Proposals at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Call Title | Announcement No. 2/2026/§54 – NP Enhancing Employee Skills (Update No. 5) |
| Application Deadline (Round 2) | July 6, 2026 – September 7, 2026 (inclusive) |
| Amount of Support | 100% of approved eligible expenses |
| Contribution toward course fees | 17.33 EUR per hour of training per employee |
| Wage compensation during the course | max. 7.16 EUR/hour (optional) |
| Eligible territory | All of Slovakia (all self-governing regions) |
| Form of support | Reimbursement, de minimis scheme |
| Training period (2nd round) | 09/2026 – 12/2027 |
| Application method | electronically via slovensko.sk using KEP |
Who Can Apply for the Grant
Eligible applicants are employers pursuant to Section 4 of the Employment Services Act, from any region of Slovakia. Each employer may submit no more than one application during the second round. Companies that received support in the first round may also participate, but priority in the evaluation will be given to employers who have not yet participated in the project.
The applicant must meet the standard conditions for receiving de minimis aid—for example, they must not have any outstanding employee claims, must not be subject to enforcement proceedings exceeding 2,000 EUR, must have a clean record, and the project must not be funded by any other state aid scheme. At the same time, the applicant must not have submitted an application under the call for proposals “Improving Employee Skills 2” (PSK-MPSVR-086-2026-DV-ESF+).
Which Employees Are Eligible for the Grant
The subsidy is intended for employees who, as of the start date of the training, are in an employment relationship with an employer on at least a part-time basis. A single employee may participate in multiple training programs.
Conversely, the subsidy is not available to contract workers (agreements for work performed outside of an employment relationship), old-age pension recipients, or employees performing civil service or work in the public interest.
What Types of Training Does the Government Reimburse?
Support is provided for vocational training aimed at acquiring, improving, and developing skills in accordance with an employer’s job requirements. The training must be provided by an external provider – a certified educational institution listed in the register of certified educational institutions in the Adult Education Information System (ISVD).
An eligible training program must be listed in one of the ISVD registers:
Accredited educational programs
Programs accredited under the Adult Education Act that lead to the acquisition of a new professional qualification published in the National Qualifications Framework.
Non-accredited educational programs
For example, driving school courses, welding courses, courses under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other programs that supplement, deepen, or expand qualifications.
Digital and Green Skills Programs
Training programs leading to the acquisition, renewal, expansion, or deepening of digital and green skills.
Training must take place in person (in a classroom, online in real time with an instructor, or in a hybrid format), exclusively within Slovakia, and must be completed with an examination and the issuance of a certificate of completion—a mere confirmation of attendance is not sufficient.
On the other hand, basic and soft skills—including language courses, in-house training, mandatory occupational safety and health (OSH) training conducted by internal staff, conferences, seminars, or workshops without verification of results—will not be supported.
How Much Funding Can You Receive
The financial contribution covers 100% of approved eligible expenses and consists of two components.
Training service grant (17.33 EUR/hour)
The unit cost is 17.33 EUR for each hour of training per employee (one hour lasting 60 minutes). The total amount is calculated by multiplying this rate by the number of course hours and the number of employees receiving training. Example: A 40-hour course for 10 employees = 40 × 10 × 17.33 EUR = 6,932 EUR.
Wage compensation during the course (max. 7.16 EUR/hour)
Wage compensation for an employee during course participation is an optional component amounting to a maximum of 7.16 EUR per hour (based on the minimum wage for 2026 and subject to adjustment if the minimum wage changes). Only the actual time spent on training during paid working hours may be reimbursed—travel time to the course is not included. Wage compensation cannot be combined with any other wage subsidy for the same employee from public funds for the same period.
Funding is provided in the form of reimbursement—the employer first covers the expenses from its own resources and then applies for reimbursement. Eligible expenses are those incurred from the effective date of the agreement with the employment office, but no earlier than January 1, 2026.
How to Submit an Application: Step-by-Step Guide
Applications for financial contributions must be submitted exclusively electronically via the Central Public Administration Portal slovensko.sk, signed with a qualified electronic signature (KEP). It is submitted to the labor office in whose territorial jurisdiction the facility is located where the employees will receive training. If a company has multiple facilities, the application is submitted to the office corresponding to its registered office.
The procedure is as follows. First, select a certified educational institution and an eligible training program from the ISVD registers and prepare a training plan. Then, fill out the electronic application form on slovensko.sk, including the(the form includes automatic calculations) and attach the required documents: a declaration regarding de minimis aid received (Appendix No. 2a, or 2b for primary agricultural production) and the information required to request a criminal record check (Attachment No. 3). Sign the application with a handwritten signature and send it to no later than September 7, 2026.
The Office will then conduct a formal and financial review. Any deficiencies must be corrected within 5 business days of being notified. The application will be reviewed by the Employment Issues Committee and the Evaluation Commission; the applicant will be notified in writing of the result within 100 business days of the closing date for applications. Upon approval, the office will enter into an agreement with the employer regarding the provision of a financial contribution, and the training may begin (implementation of Round 2 activities: September 2026 through December 2027). Upon completion of the training, the employer will submit a request for payment—separately for each approved training program.
Important note: There is no legal entitlement to the financial contribution; applications are subject to evaluation and selection. This makes it all the more worthwhile to prepare a high-quality training plan.
Why Get Involved Right Now
The second round is time-limited, and after September 7, 2026, it will no longer be possible to submit applications or add additional educational programs. Reimbursement of 100% of the costs for certified courses, plus wage compensation, is one of the most generous forms of educational support currently available to Slovak companies. Investing in your employees’ skills will thus pay off twice over—you’ll gain a more qualified team, and the costs will be covered by the state and EU funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the deadline for submitting an application for an employee training grant?
The second round of applications runs from July 6, 2026, through September 7, 2026 (inclusive). Applications must be submitted electronically via slovensko.sk with a qualified electronic signature.
What percentage of the costs will the government reimburse?
The grant covers 100% of approved eligible expenses—17.33 EUR per hour of training per employee and, optionally, wage compensation of up to 7.16 EUR/hour.
Can a small business or self-employed person with employees also apply for the grant?
Yes, any employer from any region of Slovakia who meets the conditions of the de minimis scheme is an eligible applicant under Section 4 of the Employment Services Act.
Are language courses or soft skills training also supported?
No. The project does not support basic skills or soft skills, including language training. Support is provided for vocational training conducted by a certified educational institution.
Can training take place online?
Yes, but only in real-time, face-to-face format—that is, online with a direct connection between participants and the instructor, or in a hybrid format. Training must take place within the territory of the Slovak Republic.
When will the company receive the funds?
Funding is provided in the form of reimbursement. The employer first covers the expenses and, after the training is completed, submits a request for reimbursement. Reimbursements of financial contributions will continue through March 2028.
Can a company that already received support in the first round participate?
Yes, employers who received support in the first round may also submit an application. However, during the evaluation process, priority will be given to companies that have not yet participated in the project.
Do you need help preparing your application, selecting an eligible training program, or navigating the entire administrative process? Contact us—we have extensive experience with EU funding applications and will be happy to guide you through the entire process.
