Passports / Visas

Passports valid for a minimum of three months after return from Slovakia are required by all British, Australian, Canadian and American nationals.

 EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or a national identity card.

Embassy

Visa information: available from

Embassy of Slovakia in the UK:
25 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QY

tel: +44 (0) 20 7313 6470
fax: +44 (0) 20 7313 6481

Health advice/risks

Always contact your doctor or GP before traveling abroad.

When traveling to Slovakia you are strongly advised to get travel insurance that covers you for all the activities you will be taking part in.

Food is fine to consume with no risks although tap water should not be drunk unless it has bee filtered or boiled.

A Tetanus jab is strongly recommended before entering the country and vaccinations for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and tick-borne encephalitis are sometimes recommended.

Medical Services

Medical facilities in Slovakia are reasonable and the standard of doctors and nurses are good. The only problem you may come across is that many people in the hospitals such as nurses do not speak English.

You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The European Health Insurance Card doesn’t entitle you to travel insurance but does allow you to receive emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Slovak nationals.

Travel routes to Slovakia

There are several different ways to travel to Slovakia and one of the most common is by air. Flights to and from Slovakia have doubled annually for the past few years.
Several train and bus routes also operate from neighboring countries to the main cities within the country. Buses tends to be cheaper and it is generally easier to find connecting bus routes than train alternatives.

Hotels

The Slovaks have spent a lot of time concentrating on the needs of its guests and wherever you may find yourself staying the hotel will accommodate all your needs. The bigger hotels appear to be more basic and more expensive so it is advised that you look around before booking and find a place to stay where the owners sees you as their guest as opposed to their customer.

Restaurants

Slovakia can offer its travelers and holiday makers a range of different restaurants. The county has a mixture of traditional and international restaurants with a variety of different cuisines.

Electricity supply

 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use.

Hours of Business

Offices, banks and general stores in Slovakia are mainly open 09.00 – 18.00 Monday to Friday with an hours break at noon.

Social Etiquette

The elderly are held in high regard so always give up your seat on a bus or train.
Also, although there is not a no smoking rule as such in Slovakia, you are expected to put your cigarette out when in public place and surrounded by people. If you fail to, you may be requested to do so by the town police. Further, cigarette butts have to be disposed of in proper bins otherwise you will find yourself facing a fine.

Language – Some Helpful Phrases in Slovakian

Ano/Nie - Yes/No
Dakujem - Thank you
Vitajte - Welcome
Dobry den– Hello
Dovidenia - Good bye
Dobre rano - Good morning
Dobry popoludnie - Good afternoon
Dobry vecer - Good evening
Dobru noc - Good night
Prepacte – Sorry
Prosim - Please
Ako sa volate? - What is your name?
Potrebujem pomoc - I need help