The main requirements to enter the Slovak Republic are valid national identification cards for European Union citizens and valid passports for Australian, Canadian, and United States citizens. The Slovak Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs website contains further details on visa requirements for citizens of other countries. Police registration is required for all visitors staying in private homes for over 30 days.
Health and Safety
Ticks carrying Lyme disease are the biggest health risk visitors will encounter, especially those who spend a lot of time hiking in the country’s large parks and rural forests. Avoiding thick undergrowth and tall grass is the best way to escape these ticks, but those who spot them on their bodies should immediately and gently remove them with latex gloves and tweezers. The Slovak Republic’s tap water ranks among the world’s cleanest and food hygiene standards are on par with the rest of Europe. Visitors with valid European Health Insurance Cards may receive emergency health care at no or reduced cost during their stay in the Slovak Republic. Pharmacies are the only places visitors can purchase over-the-counter drugs here.
The Slovak Republic is far safer than it is portrayed in the 2006 film Hostel. Real-life tourists stand virtually no chance of experiencing any type of violent crime, let alone kidnapping, during their stay in one of Europe’s safest countries. Poorly-lit roads along with pickpockets in rail and bus stations are the biggest dangers visitors will encounter. Although wolves and bears still roam the Slovak Republic’s wilderness, tourists rarely encounter them and nobody has been killed by a bear here for over 100 years.