Slovakia Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Passengers are required to hold health insurance covering the period of stay in Slovakia, as well as funds equal to at least $50 per day of stay, travelers checks are accepted but credit cards are not. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

US nationals require a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passengers must hold health insurance covering their period of stay and sufficient funds of at least $50 for every intended day of stay, immigration officials accept trevelers checks as proof of funds but they do not accept credit cards.

UK Nationals

British citizens do not require a visa and must hold a passport valid for the period of stay. British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizens or British Subjects with right of abode in the UK, with a passport valid for the period of stay, do not need a visa for up to 90 days in any six-month period. Other passport holders require a visa and a passport valid for at least three months after expiry date of visa.

Canadians

Canadians require a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passengers must hold health insurance covering their period of stay and sufficient funds of at least $50 for every intended day of stay, immigration officials accept trevelers checks as proof of funds but they do not accept credit cards.

Australians

Australians require a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passengers must hold health insurance covering their period of stay and sufficient funds of at least $50 for every intended day of stay, immigration officials accept trevelers checks as proof of funds but they do not accept credit cards.

South Africans

South Africans require a visa for entry to Slovakia and passports must be valid. Slovakia is a Schengen member state. Passengers must hold health insurance covering their period of stay and sufficient funds of at least $50 for every intended day of stay, immigration officials accept trevelers checks as proof of funds but they do not accept credit cards.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is needed.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for the period of stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passengers must hold health insurance covering their period of stay and sufficient funds of at least $50 for every intended day of stay, immigration officials accept trevelers checks as proof of funds but they do not accept credit cards.

Healthcare

There are no vaccinations required for travel to Slovakia. No special precautions are necessary, except for visitors intending to spend time in the forests, in which case a vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis is recommended. Bird flu was first detected in February 2006, and although there is little risk to travelers, close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry products well cooked as a precaution. No human deaths or infections have been reported. Slovakia has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries providing emergency health care on the same terms as Slovak nationals. EU travelers should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them. It is still recommended that visitors take out comprehensive medical insurance, including mountain evacuation. Hospitals are available in all major towns, and pharmacies and clinics exist in the tourist areas and smaller towns, but little English is spoken.

Safety

Slovakia is generally a safe country to visit and most visitors will experience a trouble-free holiday. In the cities though, it is wise to be careful of personal possessions, particularly in popular tourist areas and on public transport, due to increasing incidents of pick-pocketing and bag snatching.