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Slovakia
SecurityAdvice
STANDARDTRAVELSECURITYADVICE
Maintainalowprofile.Dressasinconspicuouslyaspossibleandavoidostentatiousdisplaysofwealth.Avoiddisplayingmoney,wearingjewelleryorcarrying
valuablessuchaslaptopcomputersorcameras.Whenwalkinginthestreet,keepyourbagsandbriefcasesawayfrompassingtraffic.
Alwayscarrysomeformofcommunicationequipment,suchasacellularphoneprogrammedwithnumbersthatwouldbeusefulinanemergency(police,
embassy,InternationalSOSAssistanceCentre,etc).
Understandthebasicgeographyofyourdestination,andensureyoufamiliariseyourselveswithkeyroutes:avoidhighcrimeorlowincomeareasifpossible.If
youfindyourselfdisorientated,bediscreetwhenconsultingamaporaskfordirectionsfromsomeoneinapublic,clientfacingrole,suchashopassistantor
policeofficer.
Avoiddisputes,demonstrations,politicalralliesandcommotionsonthestreet.Donotstaytowatchorphotographthem.
Carrycashinmorethanonepocket,andkeepasmallamountinatoppockettohandovertoacriminalwhoconfrontsyou.Adummywalletwithasmall
amountoflocalcurrency,anexpiredcreditcardandsomeuselessreceiptscanbeusefultosatisfyamugger.
Wherepossible,obtainsmalldenominationsofcurrencyandkeepthebulkofcashandcardsinamoneybelt,whichshouldonlybeaccessedinprivateplaces.
Ignoreverbalbait'frompassersbydonotgetintoanargumentandavoideyecontactwithstrangers.Ifyoususpectthatyouarebeingfollowed,enterany
busypublicplaceandcallforhelp.
Maintainahighlevelofinformationsecurity.Donotgiveoutpersonalinformation.Donotdiscussyourplanswithstrangers.Donotcarryunnecessaryamounts
ofinformation,eitherinhardcopyoronlaptops,removabledrivesetc.
Memoriseimportantlocalphrases(yes,no,howmuch,stophereetc).
Bealerttoyoursurroundings:ifpossible,understandthepatternoflife,andbealertforandreadytorespondtochanges.
Limityouralcoholintake:itislikelytoreduceyourlevelofawarenessandjudgment.
Donotacceptfoodordrinksfromstrangers.Alwayskeepyourfoodanddrinkinsightinentertainmentvenues.
ADDITIONALADVICEFORWOMENTRAVELLERS
Callforadvicefromoursecurityspecialistsifyouhaveanyconcernsabouttherisksyoumightfaceinagivendestination.
Observeandrespectlocalclothingcustoms.Dressmodestlytoavoiddrawingattention.
Insomecountries,alonefemaletravellerisasourceofcuriosity:youmaybestaredatiftravellingalone.Asaprecaution,avoideyecontactwithstrangers,
especiallyonthestreetandonpublictransport.Iftravellingalone,restricteveningentertainmenttobusinessclasshotelsormembershipclubs.
Aweddingringevenafakeonecanreducelevelsofunwantedmaleattention.
Declinepolitelybutfirmlyanyinvitationswhichmakeyoufeeluncomfortable,eveniffacedbyamicablepressuretoaccept.
Ignoresuggestivecomments.
Somehotelsofferwomenonlyfloorsaskaboutthemwhenyoubookyourroom.Ensureyourhotelonlyallowsguestaccesstoaccommodationfloors.You
mightwanttoconsiderusingadoorwedgeand/orportablealarmforextrasecurity.
Checktheavailabletransportoptionsatyourdestination,andifthereareanyadditionalprecautionsadvisedforwomensuchasnotusingataxialone,or
wheretositonabus.

RiskRatings

MEDIUMMEDICALRISKforSlovakia
LOWTRAVELRISKforSlovakia

RiskSummary
Crimelevelsarerelativelylow,andtheforemostsecurityconcerntotravellersistheriskofpettyandopportunisticcrime,particularlyinandaroundtouristdestinations
inBratislavaandonpublictransport,aswellasinthelowerincomecentralandeasternareas,wheremostofthecountry'sconsiderableRomaminorityresides.In
theseareasthereisalsoariskofsporadicethnictensionsandlowscaleviolencebetweentheRomacommunityandfarrightactivists.
Thisinformationisintendedasasummaryofthetravelsecurityenvironmenthowever,theriskscanchangeatshortnoticeduringacrisisorevolvingsituation.Please
checkourtravelsecurityalertstoensureyouareinformedofthemostrecentdevelopments.
STANDINGTRAVELADVICE

Alerts

TherearenoactivealertsforSlovakia

VaccinationsForSlovakia
HepatitisA

Recommendedforalltravellersandexpatriates.
Readmore

HepatitisB

Recommendedformosttravellersandexpatriates,
Readmore

Tickborneencephalitis Mayberecommendedforthosevisitingforests,
Readmore
RoutineVaccinations
Allroutinevaccinationsshouldbecurrent:theseincludeMeasles,MeaslesMumpsRubella,MeaslesMumpsRubellaVaccination,Mumps,Polio,Rubella,
TetanusDiphtheriaPertussis,andVaricella.
Influenzaoccursinthenorthernandsouthernhemispherewintersandyearroundinthetropics.Consideranannualvaccination.
OtherMedicalPrecautions
BeforeyougoRoutineMedicalCare
Malaria
Diseases

Summary
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TRAVELRISKSUMMARY
Crimelevelsarerelativelylow,andtheforemostsecurityconcerntotravellersistheriskofpettyandopportunisticcrime,particularlyinandaroundtouristdestinations
inBratislavaandonpublictransport,aswellasinthelowerincomecentralandeasternareas,wheremostofthecountry'sconsiderableRomaminorityresides.In
theseareasthereisalsoariskofsporadicethnictensionsandlowscaleviolencebetweentheRomacommunityandfarrightactivists.
Thisinformationisintendedasasummaryofthetravelsecurityenvironmenthowever,theriskscanchangeatshortnoticeduringacrisisorevolvingsituation.Please
checkourtravelsecurityalertstoensureyouareinformedofthemostrecentdevelopments.
STANDINGTRAVELADVICE
Travelcancontinuewithstandardsecurityprecautions.
Violentracistattacksareaconcern,thoughthesearemostlikelytoaffectthelocalRomaminority.Personnelofvisibleethnicandreligiousbackgroundshould
nonethelessexerciseheightenedcaution.

PersonalRisk
CRIME
Pettycrime,includingpickpocketingandpursesnatching,isthemainriskfacingforeignvisitors,particularlyduringthesummermonths(JuneAugust)intouristareas
ofcentralBratislavaandonpublictransport.CartheftisaprobleminSlovakiawithexpensive,Germanmadecarsbeingtargetedinparticular.
Roadpirates'sometimesstabatyreofaforeginregisteredcaratapetrostation.Theythenfollowthevehicleuntilitcomestoahalt,offerassistanceandrobthe
occupants.Suchcriminalsmayalsopretendtheircarhasbrokendownandaskforhelp.Driversshouldnotleavecarsunattendedatanytimesandshouldonlystopin
welllitpublicareaslikeaservicestationtorepairtheircars.
Theriskofburglary,whichusuallytakesplacewhenresidencesareempty,canbemitigatedbyinstallingeffectivesecuritymechanismsatresidences.Drinkspiking
withtheaimofrobberyandsexualassaultcanbeanissueinsomenightclubs,andtravellersshouldnotacceptfoodordrinkfromstrangersandshouldneverleave
theirdrinkunattended.Althoughviolentcrimeremainsrare,raciallymotivatedincidentsareaconcern.Businesstravellersareunlikelytobespecificallytargetedin
suchcrimes,butpersonnelbelongingtoavisibleethnicand/orreligiousminorityshouldneverthelessmaintainheightenedsituationalawareness.Organisedcriminal
gangsoperateinseveralsectors,thoughsuchactivitydoesnothaveasignificantimpactonmostlegitimatebusinessinterestsandshouldnotaffectbusiness
travellers.
TERRORISM
SlovakiacontributedtotheNATOISAFmissioninAfghanistanuntilitscompletioninlate2014which,inprinciple,rendersitapotentialtargetforterroristattacksfrom
Islamistextremists.AlthoughSlovakiahaslimitedcounterterrorismcapabilities,therearenoknowndomesticterroristgroupsandtheabsenceofsymbolictargets
makesitlesslikelytobeattackedthancountriesinWesternEurope,whereaterroristattackwouldhavemoresignificance,bothpoliticallyandsymbolically.
SOCIALUNREST
Thecountryenjoyslowlevelsofsocialandlabourunrest,particularlycomparedwithneighbouringcentralandeasternEuropeancountries.Publicprotestsoversocio
economicandpoliticalissuescansometimesoccur,butinmostcasesthesepassoffpeacefully.Levelsofindustrialactionandassociateddisruptionaresimilarlylow.
Rightwingextremism
Xenophobicattacksagainstindividualsfromcertainethnicandreligiousbackgrounds,includingSlovakia'slargeRomaminority,remainaconcern,especiallyin
Bratislava.Antisemitismisalsoaconcern,thoughbusinesstravellersareunlikelytobetargeted.Travellersfromavisibleethnicand/orreligiousbackgroundmight
encounterdiscourteousserviceinbarsandrestaurants,orverbalinsults,ratherthandirectconfrontationorviolence.
EthnicHungarians
Interethnicrelationscontinuetobestrained,threateningSlovakia'sfragilerelationshipwithHungary,butthisrarelyleadstoviolence.Slovakiahasaround600,000
ethnicHungarians,primarilyinthesouthalongitsborderwithHungary.UnderanagreementwithHungaryin1996,SlovakiaguaranteedthestatusofitsHungarian
minorityinreturnforHungary'sacceptanceofSlovakia'ssovereigntyoveritsethnicHungarianpopulation.
BUSINESSWOMEN
Therearenospecificsecurityconcernsforfemaletravellersorbusinesswomen.However,allwomenareadvisedtofollowcommonsensesecurityprecautions.
EMERGENCYNUMBERS
EmergencyNumbers
Ambulance

155

Fire

150

Police

158

Thenumber112canbeusedtocallemergencyservicesthroughouttheEUandsupplementsthelocalemergencynumbers.

CountryStability
POLITICALSITUATION
Slovakiaisaparliamentaryandpresidentialdemocracy.Executivepowerrestswiththeunicamerallegislature,knownastheNationalCounciloftheSlovakRepublic,
whichhas150memberselectedforfouryearterms.Thepresidentistheheadofstate,directlyelectedbypopularballottoserveafiveyearterm.Althoughtheposition
ofthepresident,currentlyoccupiedbyAndrejKiska,isforthemostpartceremonial,itcanbeinfluential.
IntheMarch2012parliamentaryelections,SMERSDemergedasthesinglelargestpartyRobertFicowassubsequentlyappointedprimeminister.Thenext
parliamentaryelectionsareduein2016.
RULEOFLAW
Whilethepolicearegenerallyapproachable,theirabilitytorespondtoemergenciescouldbehamperedbypoorequipmentandinadequatetraining.Fewofficers
speakEnglish.
CORRUPTION
Corruptionremainsrelativelywidespread.Poorsalariescanbeconducivetosomepoliceofficerssolicitingbribestherehavebeeninstancesofpolicepersonnel
illicitlyseekingpaymentsfortrafficoffences.
NATURALDISASTERS

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Heavyrainsinsummeroccasionallycausefloods.
RECENTHISTORY
ThebreakupoftheSovietUnionandtheendofcommunistrulein1989ledtotheVelvetRevolutionthatheraldedCzechoslovakia'sindependence.Itsubsequently
becameafederationoftwosuccessorstates,theCzechRepublicandSlovakia,andhelditsfirstpostcommunistelectionsin1990.Slovakiadeclareditselfa
sovereignstateinJuly1992,andafterpeacefulnegotiationswithPresidentVaclavHavel,itsecededfromthefederationformallyon31Decemberofthatyear.
TheinitialyearsofeconomichardshipandcriticismofanallegedlyauthoritarianregimeunderPrimeMinisterVladimirMeciarsoonresultedinapopularresponseand
achangeingovernment.Thenewgovernment,formedinOctober1998,wasanallianceofethnicHungarians,leftists,centristsandliberals.MikulasDzurindawas
electedprimeministerofthecoalitiongovernmenthehasbeencreditedwithfacilitatingSlovakia'sentryintotheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationand
Development(OECD),theinitiatingofaccessionnegotiationswiththeEU,andformakingthecountryastrongcandidateforNATOmembership.Hesecuredasecond
terminSeptember2002,butwassucceededbyRobertFicooftheleftistDirectionSocialDemocracy(SMERSD)inJune2006.Ficowasunabletoformamajority
government,despitegarneringamaximumshareofvotesinthe2010elections,andwasforcedintoopposition.IvetaRadicovaofcentrerightSlovakDemocraticand
ChristianUnionDemocraticParty(SDKUDS)formedthegovernmentandbecamethefirstfemaleprimeminister.However,intheMarch2012parliamentary
elections,SMERSDemergedasthesinglelargestpartyRobertFicowassubsequentlyappointedprimeminister.
Theperiodfrom1999until2004witnessedaseriesofchanges,includingpromotingminoritylanguagesandthedecentralisationofpoliticalauthority(eightnew
regionalparliamentswerecreatedthroughaconstitutionalamendmentin2002).SlovakiajoinedbothNATOandtheEUin2004,andadoptedtheeuroasitssole
currencyinJanuary2009.ThesereformsfurtheredtheliberalisationoftheSlovakianeconomy,openingituptoforeigninvestment.

BeforeYouGo
RoutineMedicalCare
Obtainroutinemedicalanddentalcarebeforeyouleave.Allroutinevaccinationsshouldbecurrent(poliovaricellameasles,mumpsandrubellatetanus,
diphtheriaandpertussis).Inaddition,seeatravelhealthpractitioner6to8weeksbeforedeparture.Somevaccinationsrequireaseriesofdosesspacedweeks
apart.Somemalariamedicationsshouldbetakenaweekormorebeforearrivinginthemalarialcountry.
Arrangeacopyofyourpersonalhealthrecordtocarrywithyouwhenyoutravel.
Packanamplesupplyofprescriptionandroutinemedicationsintheiroriginalpackaging.Placetheminyourcarryonluggage,withcopiesofyourprescription.
Considercarryingadoctorsnoteexplainingyourneedforlegal,nonprescriptiondrugsyouhavepackedinEnglishandthelanguageofyourdestination(s).

VaccinationsforSlovakia
Recommendationsmayvaryforshorttermvisitors.AlwaysconsultyourtravelhealthadvisororcontactInternationalSOStodiscussyourspecificneeds.

HepatitisA

Recommendedforalltravellersandexpatriates.

Recommendedformosttravellersandexpatriates,especially:
Forlongtermorfrequentvisitors,andhealthcareworkers.
Foradventuroustravellerswhotraveltomoreremotelocations.
Ifpossibilityofnewsexualpartner,needlesharing,acupuncture,dentalwork,bodypiercingortattooingduringvisit.

HepatitisB

ManytravelhealthprofessionalsrecommendhepatitisBvaccinationforalltravelers,regardlessofdestination.
Tickborneencephalitis

Mayberecommendedforthosevisitingforests,fieldsorpasturesduringthesummertickseasonorwhodrinkunpasteurized
milk.
MoreondiseasesinSlovakia

Malaria
ThereisnomalariainSlovakia.

StandardofCare
EmergencyResponse
AlwaystrytocallInternationalSOSwhenevermedicalcareoradviceisrequired,especiallyinemergencies.
AmbulancesarewellequippedbutthestaffmaynotspeakEnglish.
EmergencyNumbers
Ambulance

155

Fire

150

Police

158

StandardofHealthCare
ThequalityofmedicalcareinSlovakiaisgood,butdoesnotmeetinternationalstandardsespeciallyinruralareas.Seriousmedicalconditionsmayrequire
internationalevacuation.Mosthospitalsaregovernmentrun,andbudgetaryconstraintsmeanthatmanyappeargreyanddark,thoughthelevelofhygieneis
generallygood.Hospitalsusuallycaterformostspecialities,andthelargestcitiesalsohaveuniversityteachinghospitals.Therearemanyprivategeneralpractitioners
anddentists,andsomeprivateoutpatientclinics.MostphysiciansspeakoratleastunderstandEnglish.
OutPatientCare
Useprivategeneralpractitionersforinitialoutpatientcare.Iftheconditionrequiresfurtherspecialistcare,areferralwillbemade.Afterhoursorurgentspecialty
consultationcanbeobtainedathospitalemergencydepartments.
PayingforHealthCare
Hospitalsandhealthcareprovidersmayrequirepaymentbeforemedicalservicesareperformedinemergencycases,billingissuesareusuallyresolvedafterthe

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treatment.Usually,thecostofmedicalcareislowerthan"westernstandards."
CitizensoftheEUandcertainothercountrieswhereareciprocalhealthagreementisinplaceareentitledtoemergencypublicmedicaltreatment,aspertheoldE111
form.AsofJanuary2006,theformhasbeenreplacedwithaEuropeanHealthInsurancecard,orEHIC.Avalidcardmustbepresentedtotakeadvantageofthe
agreement.ServiceundertheEHICmayinvolveexpensesthataretypicallyprovidedfreeofchargeinyourhomecountry.
Donotdefermedicaltreatmentbecauseoffinancialconcerns.ContactInternationalSOS,andifourtermsallow,wewillmakefinancialarrangementsonyourbehalf.
DentalCare
TherearemanyprivatedentistsinSlovakia,andthestandardofdentalcareishigh.Manyofthethemedicalcentershavedentists.
BloodSupplies
ThebloodsupplyinSlovakiaisconsideredsafeitiscollectedonlyfromvolunteerdonorsandisscreenedaccordingtointernationalstandards.Therelativelylow
incidenceofHIVandotherinfectiousdiseasesinSlovakiaalsoimprovesthesafetyofthebloodsupply.
Eveninareaswherethebloodsupplyisconsideredsafe,it'sbesttoavoidbloodtransfusionsifpossible.Screeningcannotdetecteverybloodbornedisease,and
immunereactionscanvaryfromminortolifethreatening.Ifabloodtransfusionisrecommendedandcircumstancespermit,seekasecondopinionfromInternational
SOSoryourhealthadvisor.
MedicationAvailability
Somemedicinesarenotreadilyavailableinbothprivateandpublicpharmacies.Theyneedtobeorderedfromadistributorwhichmaytakeacoupleofdaystillthey
aremadeavailable.Somespecificmedicinescanbeorderedthroughapharmacyinpublichospitals.Pharmacistsareallgraduatesofuniversityschoolsofpharmacy
andmusthaveacurrentlicense.Pharmacistsarealsotrainedtoofferadviceontheuseanddosageofprescriptionandnonprescriptionmedication.
Sincebrandnamesvary,knowthegeneric(chemical)namesofyourmedications.Itisalwaysadvisabletobringanadequatesupplyofprescriptionandother
medicationsfromyourhomecountry.Checktheexpirationdateonallmedications.

Clinics&Hospitals
MedicalProviders
Nomatterwhereyouare,contactInternationalSOSfirstifyouaresick,injuredorneedmedicaladvice.
Ourmedicalstaffwilladviseyou,helpyouselectthecorrectdoctor,hospitalorclinic,andmakeanynecessaryappointmentsonyourbehalf.Ifourtermsallow,wewill
alsomakefinancialarrangementsforyou.
ItisrecommendedthatyoucontactInternationalSOSbeforeaccessingmedicalcareinSlovakia
Hospitals/Clinics
Thesehospitalsandclinicsareoftenrecommendedbyembassiesand/orusedbyexpatriates.
Bratislava
HospitaloftheMercifulBrothersinBratislava
Category:
Hospital
Address:
NamestieSNP10
Bratislava,81465
Telephone:

421(0)25788710024/7

Food&Water
FoodandWaterPrecautions
Travellershaveasmallriskofdevelopingdiarrheainanycountry.Itmaybeadvisabletodrinkbottledwateronly,especiallyonshorttrips.Alwayswashyourhands
withsoapbeforeeating,oruseanalcoholbasedhandsanitizer.Seethefollowingcountryspecificrecommendations:
WaterandBeverages
Tapwaterissafe.Qualityismonitoredbytheauthorities.
FoodRisk
Foodisgenerallysafe.Itmaybewisetoavoidstreetvendorfood.Milkandotherdairyproductsarepasteurized.
Moreonfoodandwatersafety

Diseases

Thesepagesdisplaydiseasesinapproximateorderofrisk
Travelers'diarrhea|SpreadBy:Foodand/orwater
Travellers'diarrhoeausuallyoccurswithinthefirstweekawayfromhome.Itaffectsbetween20and50percentofallinternationaltravelers,especiallypeoplevisiting
highriskdestinationssuchasdevelopingnationsinLatinAmerica,Africa,AsiaandtheMiddleEast.
MoreonTravelers'diarrhea

Rabies|SpreadBy:Animals
Rabiesisaviraldiseasecontractedwhenbittenorscratchedbyaninfected(rabid)animal,oftenadog.Onceitentersthebody,thevirustravelsalongnervesand
causesparalysis.Asitreachesimportantorganslikethespinalcordandthebrain,itcausescomaanddeath.
MoreonRabiesanditspresenceinSlovakia

HepatitisA|SpreadBy:Foodand/orwater

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HepatitisAisaviraldiseasethataffectstheliver.Itistransmittedpersontopersonandbycontaminatedfoodandwater,especiallyinareaswithpoorsanitationand
overcrowding.
MoreonHepatitisA

HIV,HepatitisBandC,&STIs|SpreadBy:Sex/blood/needles
HIV/AIDS,hepatitisB,andhepatitisCarespreadbycontactwithbodilyfluids(especiallybloodandsemen).Transmissionmostcommonlyoccursthrough:
MoreonHIV,HepatitisBandC,&STIs

Tickborneencephalitis|SpreadBy:InsectBites
Thevirusismainlytransmittedtohumansbythebiteofaninfectedtick.Ticksareusuallyfoundattheedgeofforestsandinclearings,longgrassandhedgesandare
morecommoninthesummermonths.Often,thebitegoesunnoticed.Infectioncanalsobeacquiredbyconsumingunpasteurizeddairyproductsfrominfectedcows,
goatsorsheep.
MoreonTickborneencephalitisanditspresenceinSlovakia

MorediseasesassociatedwithSlovakia
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GettingThere

METHODOFARRIVAL
Byair
MRtefnikAirport(BTS),alsoknownasBratislavaInternationalAirport,isoneofthecountry'stwomainhubsforinternationalflights.Theother,Koice
InternationalAirport(KSC),servesthecityofKoice.DirectflightsfromoutsideEuropearebecomingmorefrequentandthereareregularservicesconnecting
BratislavaairporttoPrague(CzechRepublic),whichhasmanyinternationalconnections.UntilthenumberofdirectlonghaulflightstoBratislavaalsoincreases,
mostnonEuropeanandbusinessclassvisitorswillcontinuetoflytoSchwechatAirport(VIE)inVienna(Austria),39miles(62km)fromBratislava,andtravelonto
theSlovakiancapitalfromthere.ThereisaregularbusserviceconnectingSchwechatairporttocentralBratislava.
Securityattheairportisadequate,thoughvisitorsshouldkeepacloseeyeontheirbelongingsatalltimes.Theairportiswellequippedandhasabank,ATM,post
office,informationdeskandcarhiredesks.
Airlineshavevariablesecuritystandards.YoumaywishtoconsulttheEuropeanCommission'swebsiteforalistofairlinesbannedwithintheEUandtheUSFederal
AviationAdministration'swebsiteforadatabaseofaviationaccidentsandstatistics.
Byland
Slovakiacanbeeasilyreachedbycarfromneighbouringcountries.TherearealsofrequentrailservicestoandfromVienna(Austria),Berlin(Germany),Warsaw
(Poland),Prague(CzechRepublic)andBudapest(Hungary),aswellasadailyservicefromBucharest(Romania).MosttrainsarriveatBratislava'sHlavanStanica.
PickpocketshavebeenreportedtooperateonnighttrainservicestoWarsawandPrague.TravellingbybusintoSlovakiaisbothcheaperandfasterthanbytrain
andthereareregularservicesfromAustria,CzechRepublic,Hungary,PolandandUkraine.
Entry&DepartureRequirements
Passportandvisarequirementsaresubjecttochangeandvarydependingonthelengthofstayandvisatype(businessortourist).Checkwithyourtraveladvisor,
embassyorconsulateinyourhomecountry.Passportsmustbevalidforatleastsixmonthsfromthedateofentry.

PassportRequired? VisaRequired? ReturnTicketRequired

Australia

Yes

No

No

UnitedKingdom Yes

No

No

Canada

Yes

No

No

Europe

Yes

No

No

UnitedStates

Yes

No

No

PassportNote
Passportvalidforatleastthreemonthsbeyondlengthofstayrequiredbyallnationals,except:
1.EUnationalsholdingavalidnationalIDcard.
Visas
NationalsofEuropeanEconomicArea(EEA)andAustralia,CanadaandtheUSdonotrequirevisasforstaysupto90dayswithinasixmonthperiod.Allother
nationalsshouldcheckwhethertheyrequireavisabycontactingtheirlocalSlovakianembassy,orbyconsultingtheSlovakMinistryofForeignAffairs'website,
beforetravel.Visaprocessingandissuinggenerallytakestwoweeks,butinsomecasesmaytakeupto60days.Forstayslongerthan90days,visitorsmustapplyfor
alongtermvisaandatemporaryresidencepermit.
Entry/Exitrequirements
Travellersarerequiredtopresentpassportsvalidforatleastthreemonthsbeyondtheintendeddateofdeparturewithatleasttwoblankpages,alongwithaletterof
invitationfromthehostorganizationorindividual,atthetimeofvisaapplication.
Theauthoritiesmayrequiretravellerstoprovideproofofsufficientfinancialresources(intheformofcashorbankdocumentation)tocoverexpensesrelatedtotheir
stayinSlovakiaandthecostofareturnfaretotheircountryofresidence.Authoritiesmayalsoasktoseeproofofmedicalinsurance.Allitemsofvalue,suchas
camerasandlaptopcomputers,mustbedeclaredatcustomsonentrytoenableexportclearanceondeparture.TravellersarrivingfromoutsidetheEUinpossession
of10,000eurosormore,incashortraveller'scheques,arerequiredtodeclaretheamountatthetimeofarrival.Thedeclarationisnotrequiredifarrivingfrom
countrieswithintheEU.
SchengenArea
SlovakiaisasignatorytotheSchengenAgreementunderwhichrulespertainingtovisas,passportsandotherbordercontrolsremainthesameforalltheconstituent

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26countries.
ASchengenvisaallowsvisitorstotravelwithintheterritoryofmembercountrieswithoutanyentry/exitformalitiesforstaysupto90dayswithinasixmonthperiod.
TheperiodofstayiscountedfromthefirstpointofentryinanyoftheSchengenmemberstates.Foreignnationalsmustgettheirpassportstampedwhileenteringthe
SchengenareaabsenceofthestampcanleadtoafineorfurtherdifficultieswiththepoliceorotherauthoritiesthroughouttheSchengen.
Procedures
VisitorsarerequiredbylawtoregisterwiththelocalpolicebureauwithinthreedaysofarrivalinSlovakia.EEAnationalscanregisterwithintendaysofarrival.
Personalregistrationisnotrequiredifthevisitorisstayingatahotel,wherestaffwillregisterguests.

DepartureTax
None

GettingAround
BYAIR
Thesmallsizeofthecountrymeansthatinternaltripsaremostconvenientlymadebycarortrain.
BYROAD
Memberscanrentcarsatairportsandmajorhotelscarswithdriversareavailableifbookedinadvance.Theroadnetworkisextensiveandgenerallywellmaintained,
particularlyinthewest.Significantinvestmenthasledtotheconstructionofseveralmotorways,thoughsomeofthemainarterialrouteshaveonlysinglelaneineach
directionandmotoriststhereforeshouldnotovertake.Atollstickerorvignette,whichisvalidforoneyear,isrequiredtodriveonmotorwaysthisisavailableatfuel
stations,postofficesandbordercrossings.Atollstickervalidforsevendaysorforonemonthisalsoavailable.Mountainroadscanbenarrowandwindingmaking
drivingdifficult.Drivingisontherightsideoftheroad.AnInternationalDrivingPermitisrecommended.
Foreignersshouldnottravelafterdarkoutsidemajorurbancentresduetopoorlightingandnarrow,windingroads.Roadsgetslipperyduetosnowandicyconditions
inthewinter(DecemberFebruary)itismandatorytoequipthevehiclewithwintertyresandsnowchainsduringthisperiod.Drivingstandardsarevariable.Drivers
shouldobeytrafficregulationsbreakingtherulesofferspoorlypaidtrafficpoliceofficersanopportunitytoextractbribes.Finesarepayableonthespotpersonnel
shouldensuretheyobtainareceipt.Speedlimitinbuiltupareasis31milesperhour(50kph)andoutsidetheseareasis56mph(90kph)whileonmotorwaysand
expresswaysthemaximumspeedlimitis80mph(130kph).Headlightsmustbeusedatalltimesoftheday.Slovakiahasazerotolerancelawthatprohibitsanyone
fromoperatingamotorvehiclewithanybodilyalcoholcontent.
BYTAXI
Taxisarewidelyavailableandtaxicompaniesusuallydisplaytheirnameandlogoonsidesofthevehicletheoneswithoutalogoshouldbeavoided.Theyare
generallymetered,thoughdriversmaynotturnmetersonandchargeinflatedfares.Personnelshouldensurethatthemeterisonbeforethejourneybegins.
BYTRAIN
Therailsystemisadequatebutslow,thoughexpresstrainservicesarefairlymodernandfast.Bratislavaisanimportantrailwayjunctionmostoftheothermajorcities
arealsowellconnected.VisitorscanrefertothewebsiteSlovakRailwaysforthelatesttrainschedules.StaffattheinformationdeskwillspeakEnglish,thoughthoseat
theticketofficewilltypicallyonlyspeakSlovak.Mostcreditcardsareacceptedforticketpurchases.Priorreservationofticketsisrecommended.
BYOTHERMEANS
Intercitybuses,trolleybusesandtramsconnectBratislavatoseveralothertowns.Ticketsmustbevalidatedafterboarding.Therearealsoferryservicesbetweentowns
alongtheDanuberiver.

Language&Money
LANGUAGE
Slovakistheofficiallanguage.ItisaSlaviclanguage,whichmostforeignerswillfinddifficulttounderstandandlearn,thoughafewbasicwordswillbeappreciated.
SlovakissimilartoCzech,andspeakersofonelanguagecangenerallyunderstandtheother.WhileEnglishasabusinesslanguageisincreasinglycommonplace,
particularlyinBratislava,Germanismorecommonthroughoutthecountry.RussianiswidelyunderstoodbutmanySlovakswillrefusetospeakit.Hungarianiswidely
spokeninthesouth,alongtheborderwithHungary.However,relationsbetweenHungariansandSlovaksaretraditionallytenseandmembersofbothcommunities
prefernotspeakeachother'slanguage.
MONEY
Euroisthenationalcurrency.Moneyandtraveller'schequescanbechangedatbanks,travelagenciesandbureauxdechange.Creditcardsareacceptedatlarge
hotelsandsomerestaurants,thoughAmericanExpressisnotwidelyaccepted.ATMsmarkedasBANKOMATacceptVisa,MasterCardandCirruscards.

CulturalTips

GeneralTips
Alwaysmakerestaurantreservationsthereareonlyafewrestaurants,andtheytendtobebusy.
Wheninvitedtoahome,bringinganunevennumberofunwrappedflowersisawelcomegesture.
Waituntileveryonehasbeenservedadrinkbeforepickingupyourglass.
Toastingiscommon.Asaguest,feelfreetoofferatoastinhonourofthecelebration.
Whendiningatsomeone'shomeandsecondservingsareoffered,itispolitetoacceptasmallamountoffoodafterinitiallyrefusing.Leaveasmallamountof
foodonyourplatetoindicatewhenyouhavehadenough.
Sittingwithyourankleonyourkneeorputtingyourfeetonsomethingotherthanafootstoolisconsideredrude.
RacismandantiSemitismremainconcerns,particularlyinBratislava.JewishandnonCaucasianbusinesspersonnelareunlikelytobesingledoutforattack,
butcouldbeinsultedandsufferpoorserviceinsomebarsandrestaurants.
Visitorsshouldnottakephotosofsecurityestablishments.
BusinessTips
Slovaksareformal,thoughnotexcessivelyso.
SuccessfulbusinessinSlovakiagenerallyrequirestheestablishmentofagoodpersonalrelationshipandafeelingofmutualtrustlaunchingdirectlyinto
businessmayimpedethedevelopmentofgoodrelationswithSlovakbusinesspartnersorassociates.
Scheduleappointmentsatleasttwoweeksinadvance.

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AlthoughSlovaksarepunctual,meetingswithofficialsareoftensubjecttocancellationorpostponementatthelastminute.
Exchangingbusinesscardsisacommonpractice.Onthebusinesscard,includeanyeducationaldegreeachievedabovehighereducation.
Itisimportanttoaddressbothmenandwomenbytheirprofessionaltitlesfollowedbythelastname.Ifyouareunsureabouttheirtitle,callmen'pan'and
women'pani'followedbytheirlastname.Donotaddressanyonebytheirfirstnameduringtheinitialmeeting,unlessinstructedtodoso.
Eyecontactisveryimportant.
Slovakstendtogivesmallpresentstotheirforeignbusinesspartners.Thisisagestureofhospitalityandshouldnotbetakenasabribe.Considerbringing
smallgifts.
ThepaceofbusinessinSlovakiaisslowerthanthatofNorthAmericaandWesternEurope.
Althoughbusinesslunchesarebecomingmorepopular,mostbusinessdiscussionstakeplaceoverdinner.
Businessdressisconservative.Menshouldwearadarktonedsuit,whilewomenshouldwearasuit.
Businesswomen
Therearenospecificsecurityconcernsforfemaletravellersorbusinesswomen.However,allwomenareadvisedtofollowcommonsensesecurityprecautions.
Tipping
Aservicechargewillbeaddedtothebillinmostrestaurants.Ifnot,10%isanacceptabletip.Thisisalsoadequatefortaxijourneys.
WorkingWeek
Workingweek:MondaytoFriday
Officehours:09.0017.00
Bankinghours:08.0018.00

Phone&Power
SlovakiaTelecommunications
EmergencyNumbers
Ambulance

155

Fire

150

Police

158

DialingCodes
CountryCode

421

IDDPrefix(InternationalDirectDialing) 00
NDDPrefix(NationalDirectDialing)

TelephoneInformation
Slovakiahasgoodlocalandinternationalfixedlinenetworksandadevelopedmobilenetwork.Publicphonesareavailableinmostcitiesandtownsandaccept
coinsandphonecards.Thesecardsareavailableatpostofficesandnewspaperstands.Orange,TMobileandTelefnicaO2arethemainmobilenetworkoperators.
Internetserviceshavedevelopedandmostinternationalhotelswillhavewirelessnetworks.

SlovakiaElectricity
VoltageandFrequency
AdditionalElectricalInformation
Voltage:230volts
Frequency:50Hz
Thesearethemostcommonplugtypesused:

Geography&Weather
Weatherdataprovidedbyweather.com
Climate
Theclimateiscontinental.Insummer(JuneSeptember),theaveragetemperatureis20C(68F)andthunderstormsarefrequent.Snowfalliscommoninwinter
(DecemberFebruary)andtemperaturesrarelyriseabove0C.Visitorscanrefertothemeteorologicalagency'swebsiteforthelatestweatherupdates.

GEOGRAPHY
TherepublicofSlovakiaisalandlockedcountryincentralEuropeborderedbytheCzechRepublic,Austria,Poland,UkraineandHungary.Themountainous
landscapeofSlovakiaisdominatedbytheCarpathianMountainsinthecentralandnorthernregion.Thefertilelowlandsliemostlytothesouthandsoutheastofthe
countryandaredrainedbytheDanubeMoravariversystem.Therearevastexpansesofforestcover.Bratislavaisthecapitalcity.Thecountryisdividedintoeight
autonomousadministrativeregions(Kraj):Bratislava,Trnava,Trencin,Zilina,Nitra,BanskaBystrica,PresovandKosice,allnamedaftertheirmaincities.Theregions

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arefurtherdividedintocountiesanddistricts.

Embassies&Consulates
Embassies
BelgiumEmbassy
Bratislava
FranaKrala5Bratislava
Bratislava81105
Slovakia
Telephone:+421257101211
Fascimilie:+421252621111
Email:bratislava@diplobel.fed.be
website:http://www.diplomatie.be/bratislava
CanadaRepresentativeOffice
Bratislava
CarltonSavoyBuildings,Mostova2Bratislava
Bratislava81102
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259204031
Fascimilie:+421254434227
Email:brtsv@international.gc.ca
ChinaEmbassy
Bratislava
Janova8Bratislava
Bratislava81102
Slovakia
Telephone:+421262804291
Fascimilie:+421262804283
Email:cinska.ambasada@gmail.com
website:http://sk.chinaembassy.org/chn/
FinlandEmbassy
Bratislava
Palisdy29/A,4.poschodieBratislava
Bratislava81106
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259805111
Fascimilie:+421259805120
Email:sanomat.brt@formin.fi
website:http://www.finlandembassy.sk
FranceEmbassy
Bratislava
HlavneNamestie7Bratislava
Bratislava81283
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259347111
Fascimilie:+421259347199
Email:diplo@france.sk
website:http://ambafrancesk.org/
GermanyEmbassy
Bratislava
HviezdoslavovoNamestie10Bratislava
Bratislava81303
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259204400
Fascimilie:+421254419634
website:http://www.pressburg.diplo.de/Vertretung/pressburg/de/Startseite.html
ItalyEmbassy
Bratislava
Palisady49Bratislava
Bratislava81106

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Slovakia
Telephone:+421259800011
Fascimilie:+421254413202
Email:amb.bratislava@esteri.it
website:http://www.ambbratislava.esteri.it
JapanEmbassy
Bratislava
HlavneNamestie2Bratislava
Bratislava81327
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259800100
Fascimilie:+421254432771
Email:info@bv.mofa.go.jp
website:http://www.sk.embjapan.go.jp
NetherlandsEmbassy
Bratislava
FranaKrala5Bratislava
Bratislava81105
Slovakia
Telephone:+421252625081
Fascimilie:+421252491075
website:http://slovakia.nlembassy.org/
SpainEmbassy
Bratislava
Prepoatsk,10Bratislava
Bratislava81101
Slovakia
Telephone:+421254415724
Fascimilie:+421254417565
Email:emb.bratislava@maec.es
SwitzerlandEmbassy
Bratislava
9UlitsaTolstehoBratislava
Bratislava81106
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259301111
Fascimilie:+421259301100
Email:bts.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
website:http://www.eda.admin.ch/bratislava
UnitedKingdomEmbassy
Bratislava
Panska16Bratislava
Bratislava81101
Slovakia
Telephone:+421259982000
Fascimilie:+421259982237
Email:bebra@internet.sk
website:http://ukinslovakia.fco.gov.uk/en/
UnitedStatesEmbassy
Bratislava
HviezdoslavovoNamestie45Bratislava
Bratislava81499
Slovakia
Telephone:+421254433338
Fascimilie:+421254418861
Email:consulbratislava@state.gov
website:http://slovakia.usembassy.gov/

Calendar

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2015
01MayWorkers'Day/LabourDay/MayDay/SpringDay
Student/labourdemonstrations.Iftheholidayfallsonarestday,itmaybeobservedonthenextworkingday.
08MayVictoryDay/LiberationDay
05JulApostlesoftheSlavsDay/CyrilandMethodiusDay
29AugSlovakNationalUprising
01SepConstitutionDay
15SepSevenSorrowsoftheVirginMary
01NovAllSaints'Day
17NovFreedomandDemocracyDay
24DecChristmasEve
25DecChristmasDay
Insomecountries,ifthisholidayfallsonaSaturdayorSunday,apublicholidayisdeclaredforthefollowingMonday.
26DecBoxingDay/SeconddayofChristmas
Inmanycountries,ifthisholidayfallsonaSaturdayorSunday,apublicholidayisobservedonthefollowingMondayorTuesdayrespectively.
26DecStStephen'sDay
Inmanycountries,ifthisholidayfallsonaSaturdayorSunday,apublicholidayisobservedonthefollowingMondayorTuesdayrespectively.
2016
01JanNewYear'sDay
Inmanycountries,ifthisholidayfallsonaSaturdayorSunday,apublicholidayisdeclaredforthefollowingMonday.
01JanRepublicDay
06JanEpiphany
25MarGoodFriday
28MarEasterMonday
DisclaimerPrivacy
TravelsecurityadviceprovidedinthisreportrepresentsthebestjudgmentofAEAInternationalHoldingsPte.Ltd.andControlRisksGroupHoldingsLtd.Medicaland
healthadviceprovidedinthisreportrepresentsthebestjudgmentofAEAInternationalHoldingsPte.Ltd.Adviceinthisreportdoesnothoweverprovideawarrantyof
futureresultsnoraguaranteeagainstrisk.
2015AEAInternationalHoldingsPte.Ltd.andControlRisksGroupHoldingsLtd.Allrightsreserved.Reproduction(otherthanforauthorisedinternalpurposes)is
prohibitedexceptwiththepriorwrittenconsentofthecopyrightowners.

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