Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 112.
Police
Call 112.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Slovakia.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Slovakia.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Slovakia.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Slovakia.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Do not travel from Slovakia to Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. Heavy fighting is occurring in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. The security situation continues to be volatile. Take care while travelling in the regions bordering Ukraine.
A fatal shooting outside a Bratislava LGBTQIA+ bar on 12 October 2022 was deemed a terrorist act. Further attacks can't be ruled out against the LGBTQIA+ community including at clubs, pride marches or other community events.
Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.
Possible targets include:
• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts and sporting venues, including LGBTQIA+ events
• public transport, airports and railway hubs
To stay safe:
• be aware while in places known to be possible targets
• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities
If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Petty crime happens, especially around:
Pickpockets often:
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 sometimes overcharge travellers. Disputes about overcharging can lead to violence.
Always check the price of food and drinks before ordering. Be wary of invites to restaurants and bars from people you don't know.
Drink spiking can occur at popular nightclubs, often leading to sexual assault.
To protect yourself from drink spiking:
More information
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.
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Demonstrations and events that draw large groups of people are generally peaceful but can turn violent.
They can also disrupt traffic and public transport.
To stay safe:
More information:
Slovakia experiences severe weather events and natural disasters, such as:
Weather in mountain regions is unpredictable and can change suddenly.
If you're visiting an area recently affected by severe weather:
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
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 thousands 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.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
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:
Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk in forest areas.
Ticks are common in country areas and active from spring to autumn.
To protect yourself from illness:
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.
More information:
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. This includes marijuana.
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:
Same-sex relationships are legal but aren't widely accepted. Public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Slovakia is part of the Schengen area, meaning you can enter the country without a visa in some cases.
From November 2024, the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area.
The EES is a digital border system that registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen Area. When entering the Schengen Area, you'll need to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details. Passports will no longer be stamped.
You'll need to do this on your first visit to the EU after the EES is introduced. If you visit the Schengen Area again within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.
This process should only take a few minutes per person, however you may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.
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.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
Make sure you:
More information:
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 keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you must notify the Australian Government as soon as possible.
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
Slovakia's official currency is the Euro.
Declare more than 10,000 euros or equivalent funds if you're travelling between Slovakia and a non-EU country. This covers all forms of currency, not just cash. Failure to do so will result in fines.
You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.
ATMs may be rare in mountain areas or small villages.
You can drive in Slovakia for up to 90 days with both:
Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.
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:
Check your rental car is fitted with the required equipment.
The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0%.
You must purchase an electronic permit (vignette) to drive on motorways. You can buy these online or at petrol stations, post offices and border stations.
More information:
Check whether your travel insurance policy covers you when using a motorcycle, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only clearly marked taxis. Check that the meter is running at the beginning of your trip to avoid being overcharged.
Slovakia has a well-developed and reliable public transportation system. This includes trains that run to all major towns. Take care of your personal belongings, particularly on trains and in major transport hubs. Don't leave bags unattended on trains, even briefly.
More information:
If you plan to join a Danube river cruise, read the health and travelling by boat pages.
Make sure you consider border crossings and travel with your passport.
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.
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.
The Icon, Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Str. 2
1100 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 506 740
Email: consular.vienna@dfat.gov.au
Website: austria.embassy.gov.au
X: @AusAmbVIE
Facebook: @AusEmbassyVie
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.