BRATISLAVA — Slovakian motorists are facing increased costs and stricter regulations for vehicle insurance, as the country moves to crack down on drivers operating without valid coverage. The changes, expected to take effect in May 2026, come as insurance premiums are projected to rise and the government prepares to intensify enforcement efforts.
Slovakian drivers can expect a combination of rising mandatory auto insurance costs and stricter rules from the government in the coming period. Insurers are warning of increasing expenses, while pending legislation aims to introduce more effective mechanisms for controlling and penalizing vehicles without valid insurance, according to Autoviny. Available estimates suggest that PZP (mandatory auto insurance) prices could increase by an average of five to seven percent.
Ilustračná fotografia (Zdroj: Getty Images/Jinda Noipho)
Insurance Costs Set to Rise
UNIQA insurance spokesperson Beáta Lipšicová explained that price adjustments are primarily due to rising expenses. „We will have to adjust the prices of mandatory auto insurance this year for two reasons. One is the increase in mandatory deductions and taxes from 8 to 10 percent, and the main reason is claim inflation,“ she told Noviny.sk. The price increases may not be limited to new policies, as insurers warn that adjustments could likewise affect existing policies to cover the costs associated with claims and fulfill obligations to clients.
(Zdroj: Getty Images)
Allianz communications director Lucia Strnad Muthová stated that price adjustments are common in this segment, with insurers regularly updating them to respond to cost developments. Generali also noted a long-term imbalance between premium amounts and claim payouts. „Mandatory auto insurance is a long-term loss-making venture for insurers,“ said Monika Majerčíková.
Government Targets Uninsured Vehicles
The final increase will vary depending on the individual driver, as insurers assess risk based on factors like vehicle type, engine size, and the owner’s claims history. According to Noviny.sk, a premium of approximately 240 euros could see an increase of around 12 to 17 euros annually. The changes extend beyond pricing, as the government is preparing legislation to strengthen oversight of vehicles without valid PZP. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are currently listed as uninsured.
Ilustračné foto (Zdroj: gettyimages)
Estimates suggest that more than 600,000 such vehicles are registered in Slovakia, with approximately half potentially still on the road. When these vehicles cause damage, the costs are covered by the Guarantee Fund, which subsequently impacts prices for compliant drivers. Proposed changes include preventing uninsured vehicles from passing technical or emissions inspections. District offices would also begin automatically issuing fines based on data from the Slovak Insurance Bureau.
Notifications to Begin in May
Fines for vehicles without PZP are expected to range from 120 to 900 euros, depending on the vehicle’s weight, for offenses lasting longer than 30 days. The penalty can be repeatedly imposed every 150 days, with further instances resulting in a doubling of the fine. The proposed law also contemplates a more drastic measure: vehicles without mandatory insurance for more than two years could be administratively removed from the registry.
Vehicle owners will be notified of this plan in May 2026. If they do not obtain insurance, administrative removal from the registry could occur in July of the same year. The law is slated to take effect on May 1, 2026, with some measures, such as PZP checks during technical inspections, beginning on July 1, 2026.
