23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Do not travel to Slovakia due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Petty crime happens, especially around:
Pickpockets sometimes:
To protect yourself from crime:
Thefts and break-ins happen, including theft from cars.
Criminals sometimes slash tyres so they can offer to help. After distracting their victim, they then steal items.
To protect yourself from theft:
Bars and restaurants can overcharge travellers. Disputes about the overcharging can then lead to violence.
Always check the price of food and drinks before ordering.
Travellers have been robbed or assaulted after accepting spiked drinks from strangers.
To reduce your risks:
If you suspect someone is posing as a police officer, don't hand over your personal belongings. Offer to go to the nearest police station, or call 112 to check their identity.
Demonstrations and events that draw large groups of people sometimes happen and are generally peaceful. However, they can disrupt traffic and public transport. Demonstrations can turn violent.
To stay safe during periods of unrest:
More information:
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Slovakia, they can still happen.
Terrorists have staged attacks in European cities in recent years. Targets include:
To protect yourself:
If there's an attack, leave the affected area as soon as it's safe.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Slovakia experiences severe weather events, such as:
Weather in mountain regions is unpredictable and can change suddenly.
If you're visiting an area recently affected by severe weather:
Don't ski outside prepared skiing areas. This is highly dangerous.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Slovakia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19 remains a risk. For information on Slovakia's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the COVID-19 vaccine page (in Slovak). You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
Public health measures are in place to help protect you and others. You must wear a face mask in enclosed public spaces. Authorities recommend you wear one outdoors. You must maintain a safety distance of two metres from other people where possible. You can be fined if you don’t follow the public health measures in place.
To protect yourself and others from illness:
More information:
Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk in forest areas.
Ticks are very common in country areas. They're active from spring to autumn, March to November.
Take measures to avoid tick bites, particularly in rural areas.
During and after visiting a forest:
Measles cases can routinely occur, with Slovakia, experiencing an increase in measles activity, mainly in the east of the country. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.
More information:
Medical treatment standards are reasonable. Hospitals and other medical facilities are improving, but vary in quality.
In rural and border regions, facilities can be limited.
Some doctors speak English, but other hospital staff rarely do.
Doctors and public hospitals usually expect you to pay cash up-front.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Don't use or carry illegal drugs.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. Possessing even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to prison sentences.
More information:
Local authorities can ask to see identity documents at any time.
Always carry your passport with you.
It's illegal to drink alcohol in the street in Bratislava Old Town. Doing so can result in a fine.
There may be exceptions for:
It's illegal to take photos of:
Fines for minor driving infringements are heavy.
You need to pay these fines on the spot. If you don't, officials may take your licence.
Penalties for serious driving offences can include prison sentences.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Slovakia is a part of the Schengen area. This means you can enter the country without a visa in some situations.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Slovakia for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Entry into Slovakia
Slovakia has entry restrictions in place. You must register online prior to arrival, present a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test and enter 14-days self-isolation on arrival. You must also complete a Passenger Locator Form if you are arriving in Slovakia by air. You may take a COVID-19 test on the eighth day of quarantine and, if negative, end the quarantine period. It is your responsibility to contact the health authorities or register online to arrange the test.
You do not need to self-isolate if you are granted an exemption issued by the Slovak Public Health Authority. If granted a quarantine exemption, you must nevertheless present a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test not older than 72 hours when entering the territory of Slovakia.
Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area. Land borders are open, but are subject to closure at short notice.
Refer to the European Commission Re-open EU web platform for country-specific information for each EU Member State, including on entry restrictions.
If you're transiting through Slovakia, you're not required to quarantine or provide a negative COVID-19 test. You must pass through without stopping, no later than eight hours after entry, including any necessary refuelling.
Departure from Slovakia
Airlines are operating from Bratislava Airport. Be aware that flights are less frequent than before the pandemic and may be subject to change or cancellation. If you’re in Slovakia and want to return home, you can access international flights with connections to Australia from Vienna, Budapest and Prague.
Staying in Slovakia
If you’re staying in Slovakia, find out about visa regulations in place and follow the advice of the local authorities.
A state of emergency is in place. You must comply with hygiene and social distancing measures at all times.
Local authorities have put in place lockdown measures across Slovakia, which can at times include a curfew. For more information check the Slovak government website (English) and the Slovak Public Health Authority (Slovak).
More information:
When you first enter the Schengen area, check that the entry stamp in your passport is readable.
Customs officials may ask you for:
If you're staying in private accommodation for more than 30 days, you need to register with the police. Do this within 3 days of arriving.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always carry your passport securely.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you must notify the Australian Government as soon as possible.
Slovakia's official currency is the Euro.
Only change money at banks or other authorised dealers. Don't use street money changers.
Declare cash of more than 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Slovakia and a non-EU country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.
You can drive in Slovakia for up to 90 days with both:
You must get your IDP before departing Australia.
Roads in Slovakia are generally safe.
Driving in poor weather, particularly on rural roads, may be dangerous.
When driving in Slovakia, you must:
The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0%.
Purchase online an electronic permit (vignette) if you drive on certain highways and motorways.
More information:
Check whether your travel insurance policy covers you when using a motorcycle, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Taxi drivers can overcharge tourists by adding fees or by not using the meter.
Use only clearly marked taxis. Insist that you'll pay only the fare shown on the meter.
Slovakia has a well-developed and reliable public transportation system. This includes trains that run to all major towns.
More information:
If you plan to join a Danube river cruise, read the health and travelling by boat pages.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Slovakia air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
For non-urgent criminal issues, contact the nearest police station.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Slovakia.
For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Austria.
Mattiellistraße 2-4 (third floor)
1040 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 506 740
Fax: +43 1 506 74 185
Email: consular.vienna@dfat.gov.au
Website: austria.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @AusAmbVIE
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.