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Bratislava

Slovak

• 230 volts
• Travel adapter required for plug type E

Banks

8.00 am - 5.00 pm (Mon - Fri)

Shops

8.00/9.00 am - 6.00/8.00 pm (Mon - Fri)
8.00/9.00 am - 12.00 noon/5.00 pm (Sat)
Some shops are open on Sundays from 8.00 am to 12.00 noon. In Bratislava, large shopping centres are open from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm (Mon - Sat), while Sunday opening hours are from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm.

• 1 January – New Year’s Day (Nový rok)
• 6 January – Epiphany (Zjavenie Pána)
• March/April – Easter Monday (Veľkonočný pondelok)
• 1 May – Labour Day (Sviatok práce)
• 8 May – Day of Victory over Fascism (Deň víťazstva nad fašizmom)
• 5 July – Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (Sviatok svätého Cyrila a Metoda)
• 29 August – Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (Výročie Slovenského národného povstania)
• 1 September – Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic (Deň Ústavy Slovenskej republiky)
• 15 September – Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, Patron Saint of Slovakia (Sviatok Sedembolestnej Panny Márie)
• 1 November – All Saints’ Day (Sviatok Všetkých svätých)
• 17 November – Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (Deň boja za slobodu a demokraciu)
• 24 December – Christmas Eve (Štedrý deň)
• 25 December – Christmas Day (Prvý sviatok vianočný)
• 26 December – Boxing Day (Druhý sviatok vianočný)

The following documents are required to enter Slovakia:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport
• No visa is required.
• People staying in Slovakia for more than 10 days must register with the relevant police station. Hotels generally complete this registration on behalf of their guests.

• Minors: A travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

As of: December 2024

Slovakia’s climate varies by region due to the country’s diverse topography:

• Low Tatras and High Tatras: These mountainous regions have an alpine climate with cool summers and cold, snowy winters. These conditions make the area ideal for winter sports and alpine activities.

• Central and eastern Slovakia: These areas have a temperate continental climate. Summers are warm and winters are cold, with potentially heavy snowfall.

• Southern Slovakia, including the Danube Lowland: The climate here is warmer and drier, particularly in summer. Winters are milder than in other regions due to the lower altitude and proximity to Slovakia’s southern neighbours.

  Your ideal time to travel to Slovakia:

• Holidays by rivers and lakes: Slovakia’s river and lake regions from June to September are particularly well suited to water sports and relaxing in nature.
• City trips: Appealing throughout the year, with spring and autumn offering particularly pleasant temperatures for exploring the cities.

• Winter holidays: December to March in the High Tatras and Low Tatras, ideal for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports.

• Using a mobile phone in Slovakia may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the applicable roaming fees before departure and, where necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in cafés, hotels, public spaces and on public transport.

• Bratislava Castle – A prominent landmark of Bratislava, overlooking the Danube and the surrounding city.
• High Tatras – This impressive mountain range offers breathtaking scenery and is a paradise for hikers and winter sports enthusiasts.
• Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad) – One of the largest castle ruins in Europe, perched above the landscape and steeped in history.
• Dobšiná Ice Cave (Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa) – An impressive ice cave and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its remarkable ice formations.
• Banská Štiavnica – A historic town nestled in the mountains, known for its well-preserved medieval centre and mining heritage.
• Levoča – A charming medieval town with one of the oldest Gothic churches in Slovakia, St. James Church.
• Demänová Cave of Liberty (Demänovská jaskyňa slobody) – A fascinating cave full of stalactites and stalagmites, located in the Low Tatras.
• Bojnice Castle – A picturesque fairytale castle, famous for its romantic architecture and beautiful gardens.
• Vlkolínec – A traditional village in central Slovakia, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved wooden houses and traditional way of life.
• Červený Kameň Cultural and Recreation Park – Another impressive castle, known for its historical collections and idyllic surroundings.

Slovak cuisine is known for its hearty and varied dishes and is strongly influenced by the traditions of the rural population. Here are some typical elements of Slovak gastronomy:

• Bryndzové Halušky: Slovakia’s national dish, consisting of small potato dumplings served with sheep’s cheese (Bryndza) and bacon.
• Kapustnica: A hearty sauerkraut soup, often enriched with sausage, mushrooms or plums, particularly popular during the winter months and at Christmas.
• Pierogi: Dumplings filled with a variety of ingredients depending on the region and preference, such as potatoes, curd cheese or sauerkraut.
• Zemiakové Placky: Crispy potato pancakes, often served as a side dish or as a meal in their own right with sour cream.
• Klobása: A traditional Slovak sausage, often smoked and seasoned with a blend of different spices.
• Šúľance: Sweet potato dumplings served with poppy seeds, nuts or sweet curd cheese, a popular dessert in Slovakia.
• Lokše: Thin potato flatbreads traditionally served with goose or duck, particularly popular during St Martin’s celebrations.
• Slivovica: A strong plum spirit, traditionally served as a digestif after a hearty meal.
• Treska: A cold fish salad with mayonnaise, onions and pickled gherkins, often enjoyed as a spread on bread.
• Bryndza: A soft sheep’s cheese used not only in Bryndzové Halušky but also enjoyed as a spread or in salads.

• Saying please and thank you: It is customary to say “please” (Prosím) and “thank you” (Ďakujem) to show politeness in everyday interactions. 

• Greetings: A firm handshake is customary for both men and women. Politeness and a friendly smile are always appreciated.

• Clothing: Slovaks generally dress conservatively and neatly, particularly for business or formal occasions. Appropriate clothing is expected in churches and religious sites, such as covered shoulders and no shorts.

• Dining etiquette: Meals are often social occasions where spending time together and conversation are highly valued. It is customary to wait until the host begins eating or wishes everyone “enjoy your meal” (Dobrú chuť).

• Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on public transport and in many restaurants. It is polite to ask permission before smoking in the presence of others, even outdoors.

• Tipping: In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10% if the service was good. It is also common to tip taxi drivers or hairdressers, often simply by rounding up the amount.

• Tap water in Slovakia is safe to drink and meets all national and European drinking water standards. Its quality is regularly monitored to ensure that it is free from harmful contaminants.
• In general, no specific vaccinations are required for entry into Slovakia. However, since July 2023, an increased number of hepatitis A cases has been reported, mainly in the eastern part of the country. Vaccination against hepatitis A is therefore particularly recommended. Depending on individual circumstances, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and hepatitis B may also be advisable.
• Make sure that you and your children are up to date with the standard vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.

• Medical care in Slovakia is of a high standard and comparable to that available in Switzerland. It includes modern hospitals, qualified staff and efficient emergency services.
• The European Health Insurance Card must be presented when receiving medical treatment.
• Pharmacies are widespread and offer a broad range of medicines. Many medicines that require a prescription in other countries can be purchased without one in Slovakia.

• Check the latest situation in the media before and during your trip and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• Petty crime, including pickpocketing and theft from vehicles, is common in tourist areas. In certain establishments in Bratislava city centre, there is also a risk of drinks being spiked with incapacitating substances for the purpose of theft.
• The possibility of terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out in Slovakia.

• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: December 2024

• For car rental, a Swiss driving licence is recognised provided that, depending on the rental company, it has been held for at least one year.

• The minimum age for renting a car is 21, depending on the company.

• A CH sticker, first-aid kit, high-visibility vest and warning triangle are mandatory.

• Motorways and some expressways are subject to tolls. A vignette can be purchased online.

• It is strongly recommended to carry a Green Card insurance certificate.
• Dipped headlights are also mandatory during the day.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰.

• Long-distance trains: Slovak Railways (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, ZSSK) operates a well-developed network of long-distance trains connecting major cities such as Bratislava, Košice and Žilina. Services include fast trains (Rýchlik) and InterCity (IC) connections, which are more comfortable and faster.

• Regional trains: Regional services connect smaller towns and villages. They are cheaper but slower than long-distance trains.

• Buses: A dense network of bus routes complements the rail network and also serves more remote areas. Buses are often the only public transport option in rural regions.

• Metro: There is no metro system in Slovakia. In Bratislava, local public transport is provided by trams, buses and trolleybuses.

• Tickets: Tickets for trains, buses and local public transport can be purchased at stations, from ticket machines, online or directly from the driver.

Air travel in Slovakia is focused mainly on international connections, as the country offers very few domestic flights due to its small size.

The Slovak airport with a direct connection to Switzerland is:

• Košice Airport (KSC): Direct flights from Zurich.

This connection is operated by Swiss International Air Lines.

00 41 (omit the zero from the Swiss area code)

• Single emergency number: 112

Michalska 12
811 01 Bratislava
Tel. +421 2 59 30 11 11
bratislava@eda.admin.ch

• In Slovakia, possession of even very small quantities of any type of drug can result in prison sentences of several years.
• Wearing a bicycle helmet is mandatory outside built-up areas. Young people up to the age of 15 must also wear a helmet within built-up areas.
• Drinking alcohol in public near kindergartens, schools, parks and playgrounds may be prohibited under regulations set by the respective municipality.