Central Europe · UN member
Slovakia: Travel Guide & Requirements
Slovak Republic · Slovenská republika
Slovakia is a country in Central Europe with its capital in Bratislava. It has a population of 5.4 million (#122 in the world) and covers 49,035 km². The official language is Slovak. The currency is the Euro (EUR, €).
Where is Slovakia? Map of Slovakia
Central Europe, south of Poland.
- Region
- Central Europe
- Coordinates
- 48.6667° N, 19.5° E
- Neighbours
- 5 — see list
- Coastline
- Landlocked
- Slovakia
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Slovakia showing Bratislava (capital) and the largest cities: Košice, Nitra, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Trenčín, Poprad, Michalovce and Komárno.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Slovakia
- Passport
The UK government says Slovakia follows Schengen area rules: your passport must have a date of issue less than 10 years before the date you arrive and an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the…
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 93 need no visa, 105 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Slovakia entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement. The UK government says that at border control in Slovakia you may also need to show a return or onward ticket and proof of your accommodation, for example a hotel booking confirmation.
- Proof of funds
The European Commission's table of reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border, fixed by national authorities, lists EUR 56 per day and per person for Slovakia.
- Travel insurance
The EU Visa Code requires Schengen visa applicants to hold travel medical insurance valid throughout the Member States for the entire intended stay, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
- Customs allowance
Your Europe (EU) says that if you plan to enter or leave the EU with €10,000 in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it to the customs authorities in the EU country you are entering or leaving.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Slovakia
- Safety: Yes — Slovakia is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Slovakia Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: June to September — when daytime highs in Bratislava are around 22–29°C.
- Money: the Euro (EUR) — 1 US dollar is about 0.8911 EUR.
- Plugs: type C, E and F, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 / 158, Ambulance 112 / 155, Fire 112 / 150.
- Language: Slovak is official.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 130 km/h on motorways.
- Time zone: UTC+1 in Bratislava.
- Capital: Bratislava. About 5.4 million people live in Slovakia.
- Outdoors: 10 national parks and 131 ski areas.
Key facts
Slovakia at a glance
Languages spoken: Slovak (official) 81.8%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 1.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.)
Geography & history
About Slovakia
Slovakia traces its roots to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. The Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. After the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (known as "Magyarization") led to a public backlash that boosted Slovak nationalism and strengthened Slovak cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who fell administratively under the Austrian half of the empire. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders p…
Read the full history
Slovakia traces its roots to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. The Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. After the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (known as "Magyarization") led to a public backlash that boosted Slovak nationalism and strengthened Slovak cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who fell administratively under the Austrian half of the empire. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939, in the wake of Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland, the newly established Slovak Republic became a German client state for the remainder of World War II. After World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and came under communist rule within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. In 1968, Warsaw Pact troops invaded and ended the efforts of Czechoslovakia's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful Velvet Revolution swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004 and the euro zone in 2009.
Location
Central Europe, south of Poland
Climate
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Highest point
Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources
lignite, small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Natural hazards
flooding
National symbols
double-barred cross (Cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius) over three peaks
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Slovakia
The default speed limits in Slovakia are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 130 km/h on motorways. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is zero. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 2020 km/hResidential zonesLiving streets & residential areas
- 5050 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- 9090 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roads
- 130130 km/hMotorwaysMotorways / freeways
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 Vienna, 1949 GenevaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Alcohol limitZero tolerance (0.0‰)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)6.4 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Slovakia safe to visit?
Yes — Slovakia is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Slovakia Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: This travel advice has been updated for accuracy with changes made throughout, including border with Ukraine, political demonstrations, skiing and hiking, taxi’s, and extreme weather and natural disasters (‘Safety and security page’).
Updated 28 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Slovakia
The best time to visit Slovakia is June to September, when daytime highs in Bratislava are around 22–29°C. May is also a good time to go. July is the warmest month (29°C by day), January the coldest (-4°C at night), and June the wettest with about 73 mm of rain.
- Jan2°C-4°C
- Feb5°C-3°C
- Mar10°C0°C
- Apr17°C5°C
- May22°C10°C
- Jun26°C15°C
- Jul29°C17°C
- Aug28°C16°C
- Sep22°C11°C
- Oct16°C6°C
- Nov9°C2°C
- Dec3°C-3°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Slovakia
Plugs & sockets
- Type C (Europlug)two round pins
- Type Etwo round pins and a hole for the socket's earth pin
- Type F (Schuko)two round pins with earth clips on the sides
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ski resorts
131 ski resorts in Slovakia
- 363 km of slopes
- 447 lifts
- up to 2,182 m
Biggest: Jasna Low Tatras · Vysoké Tatry - Tatranská Lomnica · Malinô Brdo
National parks
10 national parks in Slovakia
- 2,982 km² protected
- oldest from 1949
Largest: Tatra National Park · Low Tatras National Park · Veľká Fatra National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Euro exchange rates today
Slovakia uses the Euro (EUR, €). One US dollar buys 0.8911 EUR; over the last 30 days the EUR has lost 1.5% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in EUR
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Slovakia ranks
How Slovakia compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Slovakia
118 airports and airfields — 1 large, 6 medium and 109 small, plus 2 heliports. 4 have scheduled passenger flights.
Military
Slovak armed forces
Slovakia ranks #67 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $3.1 billion (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Bratislava (441,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
automobiles; metal and metal products; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals, synthetic fibers, wood and paper products; machinery; earthenware and ceramics; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; ru…
Export partners
Germany 20%, Czechia 10%, Hungary 7%, USA 6%, Poland 6% (2023)
Top exports
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, video displays, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Slovakia
Next public holiday
All Saints’ Day — Sunday, 1 November 2026. Then Christmas Eve (24 Dec).
Slovak passport
Ranked #23: 120 countries visa-free, 34 with visa on arrival, 8 with an eTA and 21 with an eVisa.
Slovak passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Slovakia's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Slovakia
Dial +421 before the local number. Internet domain .sk.
Climate footprint
29.1 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 5.28 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Slovakia: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Slovakia
Israeli visitors to Slovakia more than double as winter flights expand
Israeli arrivals in Slovakia rose 204% in August 2026 compared with a year earlier, and the national tourism bureau is adding marketing and new winte…
Slovak travellers can visit 183 destinations without advance visas in 2026
The Slovak passport gives access to 183 destinations without a visa obtained in advance, placing Slovakia joint seventh in the October 2026 Henley Pa…
Czech Residence Permits: Routes, Timelines and Requirements for Non-EU Travellers
A guide to Czech residence permits for non-EU citizens, covering temporary and permanent residence, the business visa route, timelines and requiremen…
Frequently asked questions about Slovakia
What do I need to travel to Slovakia?
How long must my passport be valid for Slovakia?
Where is Slovakia?
What is Slovakia known for?
What is the capital of Slovakia?
What language is spoken in Slovakia?
What currency does Slovakia use?
What is the calling code of Slovakia?
Which countries border Slovakia?
How strong is the Slovak passport?
What is the speed limit in Slovakia?
Is Slovakia safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Slovakia?
What plug type does Slovakia use?
How many airports does Slovakia have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.