Ukrainian refugees boost Slovak budget more than aid costs Official report shows

Ukrainian refugees paid more money into Slovakia's budget than the country spent on assisting them, according to a document prepared by Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec from the Hlas party, which is part of the ruling coalition.

According to estimates from the government's Institute for Financial Policy, Ukrainian refugees increased state revenue by €217 million in 2024 through income tax, mandatory contributions, and VAT. Compared to 2023, the contribution of Ukrainians to the budget increased by more than a third, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Slovak media.

In contrast, spending on refugee assistance last year decreased by more than half, totalling €98 million. From 2022 to 2024, the country spent €509 million on refugee and humanitarian aid, including expenses for housing refugees and educating Ukrainian children. Of the €98 million spent last year, the European Union covered most of it, contributing €65 million.

Ukrainians account for two-fifths of the more than 122,000 foreigners working in Slovakia.

A similar situation occurred in the Czech Republic. According to the Ministry of Labour, Ukrainian refugees contributed 23.5 billion crowns (€943.4 million) to the budget, with expenses amounting to 15.5 billion crowns (€622.2 million). Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Czech Republic has spent 62.5 billion crowns (€2.5 billion) on refugee assistance and collected 55.5 billion crowns (€2.2 billion) through contributions and taxes. In February 2023, nearly 99,000 Ukrainians were working in the country, compared to 114,900 in January of the previous year, and more than 150,300 in January of this year.

In January, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, in response to the halt in Russian gas transit through Ukraine, did not rule out reducing assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

By Tamilla Hasanova