Follow the link to our Slovakia weather page for information about the climate in Slovakia and a six-day Bratislava weather forecast.

The country code to dial into Slovakia is +421. To dial overseas from within Slovakia, dial 00 followed by the relevant country code and phone number.

Emergency numbers when in Slovakia are: Ambulance (155); Police (158 or 159 for city police); & Fire (150). 112 can be dialled for integrated emergency services (some operators speak English, they will put you through to the police, ambulance or the fire department as required). Calls are free of charge from a mobile phone or any phone booth.

Phone - The national telephone system is considered adequate, and the government is making efforts to upgrade the service. Domestic telephone service is predominantly analogue-based, gradually being improved with fibre-optic cable. Public telephones are available throughout Slovakia, and at most post offices. They operate with coins or pre-paid calling cards that are available at many retail outlets.

Mobile telephone use is widespread in Slovakia. Setting up a mobile phone account is a simple process. Cellular telephone service is available from two providers, T-Mobile and Orange. Details of their services may be obtained in English from their respective websites, http://www.t-mobile.sk/ and http://www.orange.sk/. There are a variety of plans from which to choose.

Postal Service - The Slovak postal system is not as efficient as it could be, although it is improving. Domestic mail appears to be delivered fairly reliably, but there have been reports of parcels from overseas having been opened prior to delivery. The post office provides mail, public telephone and money transfer services; however, one is not advised to send valuables by mail.

Post offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Smaller villages may not have a post office. In that case, mail is addressed "care-of" the nearest post office in a larger town. It might be preferable to utilise a courier service to mail important material and items. DHL offers international and domestic courier service at: http://www.dhl.com/wrd/sk.html

Internet - Most houses and apartments are not equipped with high-speed Internet connections. Dial-up Internet access is available via fixed-line telephone, but quality of line can be frustrating. DSL service is increasing in availability, especially in Bratislava. Slovak Telecom is the largest Internet provider. For details visit http://www.slovaktelecom.sk/En/

Some other providers are:
AT&T Global Network Services Slovakia, s.r.o. www.att.com/emea
Dial Telecom, a.s. http://www.dial.sk/
Intercomp Services, s.r.o. http://www.ics.sk/
Nextra, s.r.o. http://www.nextra.sk/
Slovanet, a.s. http://www.slovanet.sk/
UPC Slovensko, s. r. o. http://www.upc.sk/

Television - Slovakian TV utilises the European PAL format. There are two government TV channels and two private TV broadcasters. Cable TV access is popular and widely available across the country. Some broadcasts are in English, French or German. Satellite TV is also available. Enhanced service is available with decoders and subscription memberships.

Radio - BBC World News and Vienna's Blue Danube Radio provide FM programming in English. AM broadcasts are largely in Slovak.

Slovakia runs off a 230V, 50Hz system.

Population - 5.5 million people
Total Area - 48,845 square kilometres
Capital • Bratislava (440,000 people)
Time Zone - Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour

To view the current time in Bratislava, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.

The official language of Slovakia is Slovak, which accounts for approximately 85.8% of the population. Also spoken is Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census). Some common Slovak phrases handy for travellers include:

YES = (PRONOUNCED Ahno)
NO = (nyeh)
PLEASE = (proseem)
THANK YOU = (dahkooyahm)
GOOD MORNING = (dobrye rano)
GOOD AFTERNOON (dobree den)
GOOD NIGHT = (dobruh nots)
HELLO = (dobree den)
GOOD-BYE = (dohveedeneeyah)
I UNDERSTAND = (rozoomeeye)
I DON'T UNDERSTAND = (nerozoomeeyem)
HELP = (pomoc)
TOO EXPENSIVE = (to je moc drahe)
WASHROOM = (zachod)

Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Slovakia.

Visa conditions of the Slovak Republic with other countries. This site lists requirements for citizens of specific countries. Those from countries in categories I and II require no visa for visits which last less than the number of days indicated. Those who are from countries not listed in categories I and II, or who are planning longer stays or stays related to employment or business, should inquire at the nearest Slovak embassy.

It is recommended you check all Slovakia visa conditions, as well as passport & entry information, with your relevant consulate prior to travel.

Slovak state health facilities are not renowned for their aesthetic appeal. Standards of care and the availability of modern diagnostic equipment are generally not comparable with that found in more developed western European nations. Foreign residents may find it preferable to utilise the medical facilities in neighbouring Vienna, Austria.

Healthcare is provided for free to all Slovakian nationals. Health insurance from EU member states may be used in Slovakia. It is necessary to provide form E111 upon seeking care. The specifics of what care is covered are somewhat vague, as the law states "all necessary healthcare". In any case, emergency care at state hospitals is covered under EU health insurance plans. For clarification, contact the Slovak Ministry of Health.

There are several highly qualified English-speaking physicians and dentists with private practices in Bratislava, Kosice and Banska Bystrica. The quality of care they provide is excellent by any standard. General sanitation, sewerage and refuse collection in Bratislava is considered good overall. Tap water is fluoridated and is safe to drink. Bottled water is very popular among the local citizens as their source of drinking water. There are no particular health threats associated with living there. It is advisable that persons with chronic medical conditions requiring prescription medication should keep a one to three month supply on hand.