Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two round-pin plugs are used, similar to other European countries.

Language

Slovak is the official language, which is closely related to Czech. English and German are the most commonly spoken foreign languages, although English is not widely understood outside Bratislava.

Money

The unit of currency is the euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. The euro replaced the Koruna (SKK) as the official currency in 2009. Visa and Maestro are accepted at almost all hotels and restaurants in popular tourist areas such as Bratislava, and shops are increasingly accepting credit cards, but it is best to check beforehand. ATMs accepting international cards are common.

Tipping

Ten percent tips are becoming increasingly common in restaurants, and Slovaks may also round up bills to the nearest euro. Taxi fares are usually rounded up by an extra one or two euros.

Health

All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines; visitors intending to spend a prolonged period in the forests and rural areas should consider a vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. No other special precautions are necessary.

Slovakia has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, providing emergency healthcare on the same terms as Slovak nationals. EU travellers should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them. After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

However, it's still recommended that visitors take out comprehensive medical insurance, including mountain evacuation. Hospitals are available in all major towns, and pharmacies and clinics exist in the tourist areas and smaller towns, but little English is spoken.

Safety

Slovakia is generally a safe country and most visitors will experience a trouble-free holiday. However, it's wise to be careful of personal possessions in the cities due to incidents of pick-pocketing and bag snatching, particularly in popular tourist areas and on public transport.

Local customs

Visitors should maintain eye contact with locals when talking or shaking hands, as this is interpreted as a sign of honesty and sincerity. Knowing even a few words in Slovak will be well received, and guests are expected to remove their shoes when entering someone's home.

Rowdy behaviour and loud noise are not allowed between 10pm and 6am; travellers must carry passports with them at all times for identification purposes. Bratislava has become a popular destination for stag parties and boisterous tourists have been fined or imprisoned for causing a public disturbance.

Doing business

Slovakians tend to be fairly formal in their business dealings, particularly the older generation, and women may encounter some chauvinism. The normal greeting is a handshake. Although business may be conducted in English or German, an interpreter should be arranged and all written documents should be translated into Slovakian. Punctuality and politeness are always appreciated. Most businesses open Monday to Friday from about 9am to 5pm.

Duty free

Travellers to Slovakia from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 4 litres of wine or 1 litre of distilled liquor and spirits.

Communications

The international dialling code for Slovakia is +421. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Travellers can purchase a local SIM cards for their phones; most hotels and cafes have WiFi.

Passport & Visa

The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Slovakia. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US nationals require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

UK passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Canadian nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Australian nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

South African nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is required.

Irish nationals require a passport valid upon arrival, but no visa is required.

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Useful contacts

Slovakia Tourist Board, Bratislava: http://slovakia.travel/en

112 (General emergency)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Slovak Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 237 1054.

Slovak Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7313 6470.

Slovak Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 749 4442.

Slovak Embassy, ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 26 290 2405.

Slovak Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 342 2051.

Slovak Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 661 9594.

Slovak Embassy, ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 26 290 2405.

Embassies / consulates in Slovakia

United States Embassy, Bratislava: +421 2 5443 0861.

British Embassy, Bratislava: +421 2 5998 2000.

Canadian Embassy, Bratislava, Slovakia: +421 2/5920 4031.

Australian Embassy, Vienna, Austria (also responsible for Slovakia): +43 1 506 740.

South African Embassy, Vienna, Austria (also responsible for Slovakia): +43 1 320 6493.

Irish Embassy, Bratislava: +421 (2) 3233 8700.

New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Slovakia): +49 3 020 6210.