Key facts
Slovakia is a member state of the European Union located in Eastern Europe. There are 5 countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine) that Slovakia shares its borders with. The official language of Slovakia is Slovak. Although English is not the official language, a large number of people in Slovakia are fluent English speakers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Slovakia was ranked 20th out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Slovakia is Euro (EUR). The euro (€) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
Slovak
Banknotes
€5€10€20€50€100€200€500
Slovak
Coins
€1€25c10c20c50c1c2c
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest No data available.
ATM Density When compared to the world average, Slovakia has more ATMs.62.83 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Slovakia, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Slovakia. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Slovakia will celebrate 15 national public holidays. The next one Slovak National Uprising anniversary will take place on August 29.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024 | Day of the Establishment of the Slovak RepublicDeň vzniku Slovenskej republiky | |
| January 6, 2024 | EpiphanyZjavenie Pána | |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridayVeľkonočný piatok | |
| April 1, 2024Moving holiday | Easter MondayVeľkonočný pondelok | |
| May 1, 2024 | International Workers’ DaySviatok práce | |
| May 8, 2024 | Day of victory over fascismDeň víťazstva nad fašizmom | |
| July 5, 2024 | St. Cyril and Methodius DaySviatok svätého Cyrila a svätého Metoda | |
| August 29, 2024 | Slovak National Uprising anniversaryVýročie Slovenského národného povstania | |
| September 1, 2024 | Day of the Constitution of the Slovak RepublicDeň Ústavy Slovenskej republiky | |
| September 15, 2024 | Day of Our Lady of the Seven SorrowsSedembolestná Panna Mária | |
| November 1, 2024 | All Saints’ DaySviatok Všetkých svätých | |
| November 17, 2024 | Struggle for Freedom and Democracy DayDeň boja za slobodu a demokraciu | |
| December 24, 2024 | Christmas EveŠtedrý deň | |
| December 25, 2024 | Christmas DayPrvý sviatok vianočný | |
| December 26, 2024 | St. Stephen’s DayDruhý sviatok vianočný |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Slovakia?
There are no Mariott hotels in Slovakia.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Slovakia.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Slovakia.
There are no Best Western hotels in Slovakia.
There are Radisson hotels in Bratislava.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Slovakia.
What fast food chains are present in Slovakia?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Slovakia.
The KFC chain operates in Slovakia.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Slovakia.
The Subway chain operates in Slovakia.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in Slovakia.
The Starbucks chain operates in Slovakia.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Bratislava?
Weather data for Bratislava (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Slovakia
Sources
- Slovakia Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Slovakia (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is prohibited in all public areas excluding entertainment and restaurants.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
You are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol if you are under the age of 17.
Alcohol allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
- 110L of beer
- 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
- 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 4L of wine
- 16L of beer
- 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume
Tobacco allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
Travellers from non-EU countries:
Your tobacco allowance is determined on your form of transportation.
If you are travelling by air:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
If you are NOT travelling by air:
- 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco
Sources
- Alcohol, tobacco, cash and excise duties (europa.eu)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)