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Slovakia

General Information

Capital City:
Bratislava
Population:
5.43 million
Area:
18,932 square miles
Language:
Slovak, Czech, German, English, Humgarian (Southern Part only)
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
421
Driving:
Driving is on the right. National licence or International Driving Permit required
Currency:
Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)

Business Hours

Bank:
0800-1700 Mon-Fri
Office:
0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0900-1800 Mon-Fri, 0900-1200 Sat (some large supermarkets open on Sun)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day and Independence Day of the Slovak Republic 06 Jan : Epiphany 06 Apr : Good Friday 09 Apr : Easter Monday 01 May : May Day 08 May : Victory Day 05 Jul : St Cyril and St Methodius Holiday 29 Aug : Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising 01 Sep : Slovak Constitution Day 15 Sep: Our Lady of Sorrows 01 Nov : All Saints' Day 17 Nov : Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day 24 Dec : Christmas Eve 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day

Business and social hints

General:
Business is conducted in Slovak, many executives speak a second language English, German or Russian. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
Around 10% in hotels & restaurants
Clothing:
Generally mediumweights with heavy topcoat for winter. Lightweights for summer
Emergency Services:
Police, Fire & Ambulance: 112
Hotel Classification:
There is no official hotel classification system in Slovakia but most hotels are members of the Hoteliers' Association, which operates a voluntary system using the normal star ratings ranging from 1 up to 5. Grading is very strict so very few properties achieve 5-star status.

Climate

Weather tends to be changeable throughout the year. Winter temperatures average around 2�C and can be even lower due to cold easterly winds and snow is normal. January is the coldest month with temperatures falling below -5�C. Rainfall is low in winter the wettest seasons being spring and autumn. Summers are hot Jul-Aug being the hottest with temperatures reaching 30�C

Bratislava

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 2 3 9 16 21 24 26 26 22 15 8 4
Minimum Temperature °C -3 -2 1 6 11 14 16 15 12 7 3 0
Average Humidity (mornings) % 84 81 79 73 72 72 73 75 78 84 86 87
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 77 70 58 49 49 50 49 51 52 62 76 80
Average Rainfall 43 47 42 42 61 64 73 69 40 54 55 59

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof or 2 lit of up to 22� proof c) 2 lit of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 430 (EUR 90 for travellers under 15 years) 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer

Health

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
Tetanus. <b>In addition:</b> Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Hepatitis B & Rabies are also recommended to those travelling to Slovakia frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Slovakia. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for the period of intended stay. Exempt:- a) Nationals of Slovakia may enter with documents valid on arrival. b) Those residing in Slovakia may enter with documents valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Slovakia. a) Irrespective of nationality, holding a residence permit issued by Monaco or a Schengen Member State (Except nationals of Kosovo). b) Holders of a temporary or permanent residence permit or re-entry permit issued by Slovakia. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen" c) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom". 3) For stays up to 90 days by:- a) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Malaysia, Macao (SAR China passports), Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St Kitts-Nevis, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City & Venezuela. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)". c) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Subject" containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the UK. d) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport includes an ID card number. e) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) & Montenegro. f) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Serbia providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava).

1) All Visitors must hold health insurance covering their length of stay in Slovakia and sufficient funds of USD 50.00 or equivalent per day (travellers cheques accepted). Credit Cards are NOT accepted. a) Exempt: Nationals of EEA Member States and Switzerland. 2) The following also applies to nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burindi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, China Taipei (Taiwan), Comoros, Congo, D.R of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Soloman Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikstan, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UAE, Vanuatu, Zambia & Zimbabwe. a) Visitors must be in possession of at least USD 700.00 or equivalent per person which must be shown on arrival unless holding:- b) A voucher issued by an authorised Slovak travel agent covering all expenses of the passenger OR c) A Letter of Invitation confirmed by the office of Administration and Passports and Visas in case of a private journey OR d) A confirmation of deposit to be bond in freely convertible foreign currency at the Slovak Consulate. Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Slovak Embassy or Consulate.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Slovakia 25 Kensington Palace Gardens London W8 4QY tel: +44 20 7313 6470 fax: +44 20 7313 6481 e-mail: cons.london@mzv.sk website: www.slovakembassy.co.uk hours: 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 (Mon, Wed) 09.00-12.00 (Tue, Thu, Fri)

Airports

  • Barca
  • Bratislava M.R. Stefanik

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