Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6%.

Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13%

The Slovak Republic is a rapidly developing European nation, and some goods and services taken for granted in other European countries are occasionally unavailable. Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy.

Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Pozemne Sily), Air Forces (Vzdusne Sily), Training and Support Forces (Vycviku a Podpory Sily).

The Slovak Republic is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Slovak Republic for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet. All foreigners seeking entry into the Slovak Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Slovak Republic. Border police have the right to request evidence of finances sufficient to pay for the proposed stay in the Slovak Republic in the amount of $50 per person per day. Visit the Embassy of the Slovak Republic website for the most current visa information.

All persons in the Slovak Republic over the age of 15 must carry official identification at all times. American citizens staying overnight in the Slovak Republic must register with the local Border and Aliens Police within three working days. Persons staying at hotels are registered automatically. Visit the Slovak Ministry of the Interior for the most current information.

Persons wishing to remain in the Slovak Republic longer than 90 days or arriving for purposes other than tourism or business travel must apply for temporary residency and/or work permits shortly after arrival in the Slovak Republic. However, it is strongly recommended that such persons review the requirements available on the Embassy website and begin preparing their applications prior to travel, as many documents required of U.S. citizens are more easily obtained in the United States. For example, U.S. citizens must submit a certificate not older than 90 days showing the result of a fingerprint records check by the FBI. As authorities in the Slovak Republic cannot take fingerprints for this purpose, it is  time consuming to obtain this certificate after arrival in the Slovak Republic which may result in an illegal stay in Slovakia and the requirement to leave the whole Schengen area for at least 90 days. In addition, the Slovak Republic requires all documents (birth certificates, etc) intended for official use in the Slovak Republic to be authenticated (e.g. to have an apostille). See our section on Judicial Assistance for more information.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors, however a medical examination including HIV/AIDS test is required for obtaining residency permit in the Slovak Republic.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Airports: 36,  Airports w/paved runways:  18

Taking photographs of security/military installations (for example, military bases, government buildings, nuclear power plants, etc.) is prohibited.  Violation of this law may result in confiscation of the film, a reprimand or fine, or even expulsion from the country. The Slovak Republic has a high rate of crime.  Police forces suffer from a lack of manpower resources and equipment.  Local police are not likely to speak English.  Western visitors, especially short-term visitors such as tourist and students, are the primary foreign targets of street crime. Reports of racially motivated incidents against foreigners and person of color, perpetrated by groups with a history of targeting persons of Roma, African or Asian descent, have occurred in the Slovak Republic. Both indigenous and foreign organized crime groups are well-established in the Slovak Republic.

Infant MR total:  7.26 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 74.73 years (male 70.76/female 78.89).

Required: None

Recommended: Hep A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Boosters: tetanus-diptheria, measles as needed

HIV/AIDS– people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 200

Tickborne encephalitis, a viral infection of the central nervous system occurs in the southern part of the nontropical forest belt in Europe and Asia (to Pacific Ocean). A number of rickettsial infections also occur in this region. Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or in immigrants from the region) include tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C (especially in Romania).

Medical facilities are available in the Slovak Republic, although the quality and availability varies within the country.  Ambulances are only a means of transportation to the hospital; they may not have life support stabilization equipment on board.  Only a limited number of doctors speak English.  Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment for health services unless the patient can present an insurance number from the Slovak National Insurance Company. 

Please refer to the “Infectious Disease Concerns” section.

Country Code: +421  
Internet Code:  .sk