According to internetsailors, Slovakia (English: Slovakia, Slovak: Slovensko) is a country in Europe bordering the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria. Slovakia has been independent from the former Czechoslovakia since 1993. The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava. A number of major cities in Slovakia are: Košice, Prešov, Nitra and Žilina.
Slovakia consists for the most part of mountain areas. These mountain areas are all part of the Beskids and the Carpathians. The highest mountain in Slovakia is the Gerlachovský štít with a height of 2,655 meters. There are many historic towns in the country. Spišský hrad is located in the east of the country. This is one of the largest castle ruins in Europe. The country is also known for its wines and spas.
Where is Slovakia?
Travel information of Slovakia
Official name: Slovak Republic
Continent: Europe
Area: 49,033 km²
Capital: Bratislava
Country code: SK, SVK
Population: 5,440,602 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,655 m (Gerlachovský štít)
Distance (Amsterdam – Bratislava): 986 km
Flight time: approximately 2 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Slovakia that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs in Slovakia, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Slovakia. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Slovakia?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Slovakia at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Slovakia has a temperate climate. The temperatures are around 0 degrees during the winter months and around 20 degrees during the summer months.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Slovakia can be found on our detailed weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Slovakia can be found at Climate info.
Current snow depths in Slovakia can be found at Winter sports enthusiasts.
Best time
May, June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to Slovakia. In these months you have the most pleasant temperatures.
Language
Slovak is the official language in Slovakia. Hungarian, Romani and Ukrainian are also spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into Slovak for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Slovakia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Slovakia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Slovak Embassy in the Netherlands: haag.mfa.sk.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to Slovakia.
Money and Currency matters
In Slovakia, payments are made with the euro (EUR).
An overview of all ATMs in Slovakia can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Slovakia are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -37% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (59% cheaper), food (29% cheaper), imported beer in catering (57% cheaper), cigarettes (44% cheaper) and public transport (75% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tip
In Slovakia it is customary to give a tip of approximately 10%.
Time difference
There is no time difference with the Netherlands.
Summer time in Slovakia is the same as in the Netherlands.
Check the local time, date and time zone for Slovakia on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Slovakia you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Slovakia.
A toll vignette is compulsory for motor vehicles on motorways and motorways in Slovakia.
The toll vignette is available at border crossings, some gas stations and some post offices near the Slovak border.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Slovakia.
Electricity
In Slovakia you can use a Dutch flat plug.
A round plug must have a recess for the grounding pin present in the socket. You need a travel plug if your plug does not have such a recess.
More information about electricity in Slovakia can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
The water from the tap is safe to drink in the vast majority of Slovakia. However, because the water is slightly chlorinated, some people may experience stomach and intestinal complaints.
You can prevent this by buying bottled water or boiling the water for 5 minutes.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Slovakia can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Slovakia can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Slovakia end in.sk.
Slovakia’s official website: slovakia.travel.
Slovak traffic office: slovak-verkeersbureau.nl.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Slovakia is 00421 or +421.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Slovakia? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Slovakia.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Slovakia.
Public holidays and school holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Slovakia can be found on Beleven.org.
You will find an overview of all school holidays in Slovakia in the Eurydice school guide.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Slovakia, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Slovakia?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Slovakia. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Slovakia can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Slovakia can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Slovakia? On the IATA website you will find an overview of the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and medicines, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Doing business and doing business
If you are planning to do business in or with Slovakia, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Slovakia, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Slovakia.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: Maximum allowed blood alcohol content is 0.
– Tobacco: Buying from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…James Bond film ‘The Living Daylights’ is partly set in Slovakia?
…The oldest marathon in Europe is run in Slovakia (1927)?
…There are more than 6000 caves in Slovakia?
…Slovakia is the geographical center of Europe?
…The capital of Slovakia borders on the capital of Austria?
…Slovenia and Slovakia are often confused?