The programme decree for 2026, which sets minimum allocations, strengthens prevention, takes into account cost pressures and austerity measures and leaves room for flexibility, entered into force on 15 February 2026. Its aim is to set up a predictable framework for the financing of public health insurance so that key health care segments are protected by means of minimum amounts of expenditure, while at the same time maintaining a managed response to the development of the needs of the whole health system.
The decree is based on the limit of healthcare expenditure in the government budget for 2026 and divided between individual health insurance companies. CEcological amount of healthcare expenditure represents 8,845 million Euro. At the same time, the decree also provides for Minimum amount of prevention expenditure, total 230 million Euro.
The programme decree covers the framework for meeting the health policy priorities of the state - from the availability and quality of care, to the stability of the network of providers to prevention. It is also based on real cost factors, which are reflected in the funding in 2026: wage expenditure growth is taken into account (annual growth of 6.57% represents impact more than 294 million Euro), the impact of ageing populations, the impact of inflation on non-wage expenditure and morbidity/carry-out of already categorised items and approved legislation.
The Decree also provides a framework for key actions such as: stabilisation of medical staff, promoting a more effective organisation of care provision, moving performance into more appropriate forms (including overnight healthcare), reducing waiting times and meeting commitments and milestones stemming from reform policies and modernisation steps. Also part of the setup austerity and rationalisation measuresTo help keep spending in budget boards without negative impact on the availability and safety of the patient, the material is quantified savings of approximately 242 million Euro, including savings on medicines and medical devices (135 million Euro), benchmarking in hospitals (66 million Euro) and other savings (40 million Euro).

One of the main advantages of the programme decree is the combination of guarantee of minimum allocations with management flexibility. Difference between the total amount of healthcare expenditure and the proposed minimum amounts approximately EUR 306 million Euro. This space allows health insurance companies to ensure the variability of " thus direct expenditure to those types of healthcare where there is a higher need, for example according to the structure of the insurance class. At the same time, this amount is not retained by the insurance undertaking, but the aim is efficient use of the whole limit to achieve the highest possible value for public money.
The implementation of the Decree is also monitored by the
The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic stresses that, as in previous years, representatives of the Ministry will be a programme decree communicate with all partners. It is natural to meet demands from several directions and areas, so MZ SR in preparation sought the broadest possible consensus in meeting health policy objectives.