Slovak Republic

SAFETY: very good
The country is generally safe. No particular risks are reported other than fairly widespread petty crime (rest areas, campsites, city outskirts, large cities, etc.).

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: good

The country is fairly well connected by land (motorways and rail) and by air to neighbouring countries and to the region in general. It is crossed by a fairly well-maintained and extensive road and rail network. It is also possible to sail on the Danube in the warmer months. A domestic air service operates between Bratislava and Košice. Easy to reach from Italy by car as well.

Main airports: Bratislava (Štefánik), Košice, Žilina (Hričov).

Main ports: Bratislava (Danube), Komárno (Danube).

HOSPITALITY: good
Within the tourist circuit and in the main centres, the country offers a good choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price; elsewhere the choice is much more limited. The range of restaurants is limited.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Slovak Republic – Location: Central Europe. Borders: the Czech Republic to the north-west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the south-west – Time zone: UTC+1, the same as Italy, with daylight saving time – Area: 49,000 km² – Capital: Bratislava – Population: 5,448,000 – Religion: 68.9% Catholic, 10.8% Protestant, 4.1% Greek Orthodox, 3.2% other religions, 13% non-religious – Languages: Slovak (official language), Hungarian (in the border regions); German, Russian and English are also understood – Measurements: metric system.

CURRENCY: euro – Credit cards: the major credit cards are accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Electrical sockets: three-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. There are no restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Italian insurance is valid.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00421 – GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Orange Slovensko, T-Mobile Slovensko and Telefónica O2 Slovakia– Internet: fairly widespread service, available throughout the country – Web domain: .sk– Emergency numbers: emergencies 112; police (headquarters 0961011111; emergency medical services 155; roadside assistance 18124.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00, Sat 8.00-12.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8.00-16.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: possession, dealing and use of any kind of drug are punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Sexual abuse of and violence against minors are also punished, depending on the seriousness of the offence, with prison sentences of between 2 and 15 years. Homosexuality is legal and the age of consent is 15.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. If you plan to go on excursions or stay in wooded areas, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is advisable, subject to medical advice. Health conditions are fairly good, but health facilities are sometimes inadequate. Italian citizens on temporary visits who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day and Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic; 6 December, Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas; April, Good Friday; Easter; Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; 8 May, Liberation of the Republic; 5 July, Sts Cyril and Methodius; 29 August, Anniversary of the National Uprising; 1 September, Constitution Day; 15 September, Our Lady of Sorrows (Patron Saint of Slovakia); 1 November, All Saints’ Day; 24 December, Christmas Eve; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day.

CLIMATE: temperate continental with four clearly distinct seasons. The north-east is colder than the south-west owing to its high altitude and the strong winds blowing in from Russia. The best time to visit Slovakia is from May to September, although these months also see the heaviest rainfall.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Slovakia
Via Colli della Farnesina 144– 00135 Rome– Tel. 06 36715200– Fax 06 36715265 – Web: www.rome.mfa.sk – E-mail: embassy@rome.mfa.sk

Consulates 
Piazzale Lugano 9 – 20158 Milan – Tel. 02 39325866
Via Colli Della Farnesina 144 – 00135 Rome – Tel. 06 367151

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Italian Embassy

Palisády 49 – 81106 Bratislava – Tel. 00421 254413202 – Fax 00421 254410364 – Web: www.ambbratislava.esteri.it – E-mail: amb.bratislava@esteri.it