Bratislava Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Slovakia follows the Schengen Area visa policy. Your visa requirements depend on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the intended length of stay. The standard tourist visit allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with freedom of movement rights
Only a valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or additional documentation needed for entry, though registration may be required for stays exceeding 90 days.
Citizens of these countries can enter Slovakia and the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area and issued within the previous 10 years. Must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries. Travelers should be prepared to show proof of sufficient funds (approximately €50-60 per day), return tickets, and accommodation.
Starting in 2025, visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 for adults (free for travelers under 18 and over 70)
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. Expected to launch in 2025. Once implemented, it will be mandatory for all visa-exempt travelers. One ETIAS authorization is valid for multiple entries to all Schengen countries.
Citizens of countries not listed in visa-free categories must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling
Common countries requiring visas include: China, India, Russia, Turkey (as of 2024), Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, and many others. Visa fees are typically €80 for adults and €40 for children 6-12 years. Some categories (researchers, students, family members) may have reduced or waived fees.
Arrival Process
The entry process at Bratislava Airport and other points of entry is generally straightforward and efficient. EU/EEA citizens typically experience minimal checks, while non-EU travelers undergo standard immigration procedures. During peak travel times, expect queues of 15-45 minutes at passport control.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Slovakia follows EU customs regulations. When arriving from outside the EU, you must pass through customs and declare any goods exceeding duty-free allowances. Travelers arriving from other EU countries generally face no customs checks, though excise goods (alcohol, tobacco) have quantity guidelines. The customs area uses the green channel (nothing to declare) and red channel (goods to declare) system.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly prohibited with severe criminal penalties
- Weapons and ammunition without proper permits and documentation
- Counterfeit and pirated goods - including fake designer items, pirated DVDs, software
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants (ivory, certain furs, coral, etc.) without CITES permits
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with limited exceptions for small quantities of certain products
- Plants and plant products from non-EU countries without phytosanitary certificates
- Offensive materials - including child pornography and materials promoting violence or hatred
- Certain chemicals and hazardous materials without proper authorization
Restricted Items
- Medications - prescription medications must be accompanied by doctor's prescription or medical certificate, especially for controlled substances. Carry only reasonable quantities for personal use during your stay
- Firearms and ammunition - require valid EU firearms pass or import permit, registration, and valid reason for import. Must be declared and approved before travel
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - items of cultural significance may require export permits from country of origin and import permits
- Large amounts of cash - while not prohibited, amounts over €10,000 must be declared
- Commercial goods - require proper commercial documentation, VAT registration, and may incur duties
- Drones and radio equipment - some restrictions apply; check regulations before bringing professional equipment
- Pets and animals - require pet passports (EU pets), microchips, rabies vaccinations, and health certificates. See special situations section for details
- Food products - most fresh foods from non-EU countries restricted; packaged commercial foods up to 2kg generally allowed
Health Requirements
Slovakia does not currently impose mandatory vaccination requirements for most international travelers. However, health requirements can change, particularly in response to disease outbreaks or pandemics. It is essential to check current requirements before traveling.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - only if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Certificate required if traveling from endemic areas in Africa or South America, or having transited through such countries.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations - ensure you are up-to-date on standard vaccines including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and seasonal influenza
- Hepatitis A - recommended for all travelers to Slovakia
- Hepatitis B - recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical treatment
- Tick-borne Encephalitis - recommended if planning outdoor activities in rural or forested areas, especially from April to November
- Rabies - consider for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or staying for extended periods in rural areas
Health Insurance
While not always checked at the border for visa-free travelers, comprehensive travel health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants and strongly recommended for all visitors. Slovakia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with EU/EEA countries (bring European Health Insurance Card - EHIC), but this covers only basic emergency care. Non-EU travelers should ensure their insurance covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. Healthcare in Slovakia is of good quality but can be expensive for uninsured visitors.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport or be included in parent's passport (if country allows). Minors (under 18) traveling alone or with only one parent should carry: notarized parental consent letter from non-accompanying parent(s) including travel dates, destination, and accompanying adult details; birth certificate or custody documents; contact information for parents/guardians. For divorced or separated parents, custody documents may be required. EU citizens: children can use national ID cards where accepted. Unaccompanied minors may need special airline arrangements and additional documentation. Some countries require apostilled or embassy-certified consent letters. Border officials may question children to verify relationship with accompanying adults.
EU Pet Passport required for pets from EU countries, containing: microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel, after microchip), veterinary health certificate. Non-EU pets require: microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate issued by licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel, rabies antibody titer test for some countries (not required for US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other approved countries). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Additional requirements: tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before entry), tick and flea treatment documented. Airlines have separate pet travel policies. Certain breeds may be restricted. Service animals have special provisions. Contact State Veterinary and Food Administration (ŠVPS) for current requirements: www.svps.sk
Tourist stays limited to 90 days per 180-day period in Schengen Area. For longer stays: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens - register with local police within 90 days if planning to stay longer; no visa required but must prove sufficient funds and accommodation. Non-EU citizens must apply for appropriate visa/permit before 90-day period expires: Temporary residence permit for stays over 90 days (work, study, family reunification, business); Application made at Slovak embassy abroad before traveling or at Bureau of Border and Alien Police if already in Slovakia with valid grounds; Required documents include: valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, financial means, clean criminal record, purpose-specific documents (employment contract, university acceptance, marriage certificate); Processing time: 30-90 days; Overstaying tourist visa can result in fines, deportation, and Schengen-wide entry bans. Digital nomad visas: Slovakia does not currently offer specific digital nomad visa; remote workers should investigate temporary residence for business purposes. Student visas: apply through Slovak embassy with university acceptance letter; allow part-time work. Work permits: generally require employer sponsorship and job offer before application.
Business visits for meetings, conferences, negotiations under 90 days generally covered by tourist visa/visa-free entry. Must not engage in gainful employment or provide services for Slovak companies. Recommended documentation: invitation letter from Slovak business partner including purpose, duration, and financial responsibility; proof of business registration in home country; conference registration or trade fair documentation; proof of accommodation and return ticket. For longer business stays or actual employment: work permit and temporary residence required; employer must demonstrate position cannot be filled by EU citizen; application process involves both employer (work permit) and employee (residence permit). EU citizens have right to work without permits but should register for stays over 90 days. Business travelers may bring professional equipment duty-free with ATA Carnet or temporary import documentation. Keep all receipts for VAT reclaim if applicable.
No special entry requirements based on disability. Medical equipment and assistive devices allowed through customs without duty. Recommended: carry doctor's letter explaining medical condition and necessity of equipment/medications; ensure sufficient supply of prescription medications with prescriptions; notify airline in advance of special assistance needs; European Disability Card (EU citizens) provides benefits and priority services. Bratislava Airport offers assistance services - request at least 48 hours in advance. Wheelchair accessibility in Bratislava is improving but may be limited in old town areas. Service animals: follow pet import rules but typically receive expedited processing and are exempt from certain restrictions with proper documentation of service animal status.
Dual citizens should determine which passport to use for entry. EU/Slovak citizens should use EU passport when entering Slovakia/Schengen Area, even if holding another nationality's passport. Using non-EU passport may subject you to non-EU entry requirements and 90-day limit. Some countries prohibit dual citizenship - check your home country's rules. If one passport is Slovak/EU and other requires Schengen visa, always use EU passport to avoid visa requirements. Ensure passport used for entry is used for exit. If passport expires during stay, contact your embassy. Children born to Slovak parents abroad may have claim to Slovak citizenship - investigate before traveling as it may simplify entry/residence.