How to Enter Slovakia

Do I need a passport or visa to enter?

You need a valid passport to enter Slovakia. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the day you plan to depart from Slovakia.You may visit Slovakia for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Slovakia is part of the Schengen Agreement along with 23 other European countries. The maximum stay for tourism or business in the Schengen zone is 90 days. For further details about travel to and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet.

All foreigners seeking entry into Slovakia must carry proof of a medical insurance policy that covers all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in Slovakia. Border police have the right to request evidence showing you have sufficient funds to stay in Slovakia, generally in the amount of $50 per person per day. Visit the Embassy of Slovakia website for the most current visa information.

If you are staying overnight in Slovakia, you must register with the local Border and Aliens Police within three working days. If you are staying at a hotel, you will be registered automatically. Visit the Embassy of Slovakia website for the most current information.

If you want to remain in Slovakia longer than 90 days, you must apply for temporary residency and/or work permits soon after you arrive. However, you should read the requirements on our Embassy website and begin preparing your application before you travel, as many required documents are easier to obtain in the United States. For example, U.S. citizens must submit a certificate not older than 90 days showing the results of a fingerprint records check by the FBI. This process can be very time consuming. Under current policy, authorities in Slovakia cannot take fingerprints for this purpose. Some documents, particularly the FBI criminal history record as well as criminal histories from some other countries, usually take three months or more to receive. Please note that Slovak authorities only accept the standard FBI clearance, not the expedited clearances through FBI “channelers.” In addition, Slovakia requires that many documents intended for official use in Slovakia be authenticated (i.e., to have an apostille) and translated into Slovak. The major exception to this is the standard version FBI background check, which the Slovak government exempted from the authentication requirement for this version only. See our sections on Judicial Assistance and Notarial/ Authentication Service for more information on apostilles.

Since 2012, the Slovak authorities have strictly enforced the residency law as written, and have been unwilling to make exceptions or special extralegal accommodations that may have been possible in the past. People who stay beyond 90 days without a residency permit are typically forced to leave the entire Schengen area for a period of three months to a year.

Special Travel Circumstances in Slovakia

Slovak customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Slovakia of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, etc. You should contact the Embassy of Slovakia in Washington, D.C. or one of the Slovak consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Disclaimer

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.

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