GoSlovakia Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa Notice

According to the bilateral agreement, Chinese citizens holding diplomatic or official passports can enter Slovakia without a visa. Those holding ordinary passports for official or private purposes must obtain a visa before entering the country. According to the requirements of the Slovak side, Chinese citizens applying for a visa must submit the following documents: visa application form, signature of the applicant or guardian, passport (valid for more than 3 months), recent frontal photo (3 × 3.5mm, 1 photo), invitation letter (subject to approval by the Slovak police), and round-trip airfare. Holders of Hong Kong or Macau SAR passports are eligible for visa free entry into Slovakia, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

Slovakia is a signatory of the Schengen Agreement. Starting from January 1, 2006, all Schengen visa applications must be accompanied by a purchased overseas travel insurance, with a coverage of no less than 30000 euros, and the insurance period must cover the duration of the applied stay. The relevant embassies and consulates of Schengen countries use this as a basic prerequisite for issuing Schengen visas.

Applicants for long-term residency in Slovakia must also provide a certificate of non criminal record and other necessary documents deemed necessary by the Slovak side. For detailed information, please inquire with the Embassy or Consulate of Slovakia in China.

There are three types of visas issued by Slovak embassies and consulates abroad:

（1） Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Class A); This visa is issued to citizens of certain countries, even if they do not leave Slovak airports during transit.

（2） Schengen entry visa (Class C); This visa allows the holder to enter the Schengen area once or multiple times within 6 months, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

（3） Long term visa for Slovak nationals (D category); This visa is issued under the condition of granting someone a residence permit, or based on commitments made by Slovakia in international treaties, or for the consideration of Slovakia's national interests. The holder can travel to other Schengen member states within 6 months, with a stay not exceeding 90 days. For specific matters, please consult the Embassy or Consulate of Slovakia in China.

Starting from October 12, 2015, all visa applicants will be required to provide ten fingerprints and one digital photo when applying for a Schengen visa. There are only two situations where fingerprints do not need to be recorded: including children under 12 years old and people whose physical conditions do not allow fingerprint recording.

For specific matters regarding Slovak visas, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia:

https://www.mzv.sk/en/web/en/visa-and-services ；

Or on the website of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China: www.mzv.sk/web/peking-en

2、 Entry and Exit Notice

（1） When entering Slovakia, individuals are required to present an invitation letter, proof of hotel reservation, return airfare, and an equivalent convertible currency equivalent to an average daily consumption of 57 euros or more during their stay in Slovakia.

（2） Special Reminder

1. Passports and other identification documents should be carried with you for local police to inspect at any time. Those who are unable to present valid identification documents may be detained by the police as illegal immigrants.

2. If residing in a local private residence, one should register with the nearby foreign affairs police department within three days of arrival.

3. Photography is prohibited in military and security facilities, and violators may face confiscation of film and photographic equipment, reprimand, fines, and even deportation.

4. The use of drones requires registration with the Slovak Ministry of Transport, and violators will be fined 330 euros; When using drones weighing over 20 kilograms and equipped with camera devices for filming, approval from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Transport of Sri Lanka is required. The use of drones for filming is limited to daytime.

customs quarantine control

1、 The following goods can be brought into Slovakia duty-free from non EU member states:

（1） Alcoholic products and alcoholic beverages (passengers must be at least 17 years old) cannot exceed the following quantities: 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer, 1 liter of beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 22%, and 2 liters of other alcoholic beverages (with an alcohol content not exceeding 22%).

（2） Tobacco products (passengers must be at least 17 years old) cannot exceed the following quantity: Air passengers: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 50 cigars, or 50 grams of edible tobacco; Other passengers (entering by road, rail, or waterway): 40 cigarettes, or 20 small cigars, or 10 cigars, or 50 grams of consumable tobacco.

Note: A small cigar is a cigar that weighs no more than 3 grams.

（3） Other products

Except for the above-mentioned goods, goods with a value not exceeding 300 euros or less than 430 euros carried by air passengers are eligible for duty-free entry. Passengers under the age of 15 are allowed to bring goods worth no more than 150 euros into the country duty-free.

In addition, duty-free entry items must also meet the following conditions: goods that are not regularly brought in; Goods intended for personal use or as gifts by passengers or their families; The nature and quantity of the goods should not be for trade purposes.

If any of the above conditions are not met, one must pay customs duties and other taxes (such as value-added tax, consumption tax, etc.) before entering the country. If the Slovak customs department has doubts about incoming goods, they have the right to require passengers to submit a written customs declaration.

2、 Special Reminder

（1） Do not bring raw meat, meat products, food containing meat ingredients, dairy products, and products containing dairy ingredients (perishable foods) from non EU member states. Carrying such food into the country must comply with strict regulations and undergo veterinary inspection. Do not bring the above-mentioned foods when leaving the country. Usually, these foods are prohibited from being brought into third countries or subject to strict conditions and restrictions.

（2） If continuous medication treatment is required during travel within the European Union, an appropriate amount of medication prescribed by the supervising doctor that matches the travel time can be carried. Carrying addictive drugs and psychotropic drugs (such as sedatives, stimulants, and hallucinogens) requires a special permit (related issues can be consulted with the health administrative management and licensing department).

（3） Every passenger entering or leaving the European Union who carries cash (in any currency), securities, contracts, stocks, traveler's checks, etc. exceeding (including) 10000 euros must declare to the Sri Lankan customs. The declaration form must be filled out and submitted to the local customs department (or other responsible department) where the passenger enters or leaves the European Union.

（3） Slovak customs implement strict management of firearms, ammunition, cultural relics, and medicines. Those who bring prohibited items into or out of the country will be severely punished. Details can be found on the Slovak Customs website: https://www.financnasprava.sk/en/homepage

Residency and Naturalization

Applicants for Slovak citizenship must have resided continuously in Slovakia for 8 years, understand Slovak language, have no criminal record in the past 5 years, preferably have no foreign nationality or provide proof of renouncing foreign nationality. Usually, those who marry Slovak citizens or make outstanding contributions to Slovakia can obtain Slovak citizenship. Slovakia does not recognize dual citizenship. Once Slovak citizens acquire citizenship of another country, it means they automatically renounce their citizenship, but the second citizenship obtained through birth or marriage can be retained; If a newborn has dual nationality, parents must choose one nationality for them within one year. Otherwise, the nationality of the country where the newborn has long-term residency will be considered as their nationality.

According to Act No. 404/2011 0n Stay of Aliens, which was promulgated in 2011:

1、 Short term residency is granted based on the applicant's different purposes, such as business, employment, study, or family reunion, and the duration generally does not exceed 2 years.

2、 Long term residency is divided into two types: "first issuance" and "re issuance". The "first-time award" is issued to foreign citizens and Slovak citizens for the purpose of family reunification, or to certain foreign citizens for the national interest of Slovakia. The validity period of long-term residence for "first-time issuance" is 5 years, and the long-term residence for "reissuance" is indefinite.

3、 Applications for short-term or long-term residence in Slovakia must be submitted to the Slovak embassies and consulates abroad, and extension applications are handled by the Slovak Foreign Affairs Police Department. When submitting an application, the following materials and proof must be presented simultaneously:

（1） Application Form;

（2） Two color photos measuring 3x3.5 centimeters;

（3） Passport;

（4） Proof of residence purpose;

（5） Cost guarantee;

（6） Housing guarantee;

（7） Certificate of no criminal record.

The above materials are valid for 90 days. The Foreign Affairs Police Bureau shall decide whether to approve the application within 90 days from the date of receipt, and in special circumstances, within 180 days. After the approval of the Foreign Affairs Police Bureau, the Slovak embassy or consulate abroad will issue a visa to the applicant. The applicant must obtain a medical examination certificate within 30 days after entering the country.

Specific requirements can be found on the website of the Slovak Ministry of Interior:

https://www.minv.sk/?residence -of-an-foreigner

4、 Declaration and registration of foreigners' residence

（1） Foreigners with visas shall register with the police station within three days after entry;

（2） Those who have been approved for long-term or permanent residence in Slovakia must register at the police station within three days of entry;

（3） Foreigners living in Slovakia for a long time or permanently shall report to the police station 30 days before the expiration of their residence period.

5、 Obligations concerning foreigners in Slovakia

（1） Comply with Slovak laws and regulations;

（2） Provide truthful and complete information as required;

（3） When a visa or residence permit is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the nearest police station;

（4） Motor vehicles using foreign license plates within Slovakia should be registered with the police station.

For residence issues, please refer to the brochure "Frequently Asked Questions of Foreigners in Slovakia" published by the Immigration Advisory Center of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The website is: https://www.employment.gov.sk/files/slovensky/ministerstvo/integracia-cudzincov/zivotne-situacie-cudzincov/odpovede_na_casto_kladene_otazky.pdf

Slovakia's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The security situation in Slovakia is relatively good on the whole, but theft and robbery have occurred from time to time, and there have been cases of violence or abuse against foreigners. Summer is a season when thieves are more rampant, often committing gang crimes in tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping malls, as well as on buses and trains with high foot traffic. The targets of theft include cash, cameras, mobile phones, laptops, etc. The victims of street robbery are often single foreign tourists. Stealing items from a car while passengers are resting and relaxing their vigilance at a gas station, intentionally puncturing the car tires, and seizing the opportunity to steal items from the car while the driver is inspecting or changing the tires are also common methods used by theft gangs. It is best to go out in groups, carry a small amount of cash, avoid contact with potential suitors, and be vigilant.

natural disaster

Slovakia has relatively few natural disasters, but in recent years, there have been frequent floods in some areas of Slovakia. In 2005, a wind disaster occurred in the Tatra Mountains, and some of the original forests were destroyed. In 2013, severe floods occurred in the capital city of Bratislava.

When traveling to the Tatra Mountains, one should always pay attention to temperature changes and not climb mountains rashly, otherwise sudden drops in temperature can easily lead to accidents. Due to the complex terrain and climate in the mountainous areas, there are almost annual deaths of hikers in the Tatra Mountains.

FDA

Food hygiene meets EU standards. In recent years, there have been no major cases of food contamination or poisoning.

Urgent Help

Emergency hotline: 155

Bandit police phone number: 158

Fire alarm hotline: 150

Traffic accident: 154

Emergency contact information for consular protection of the Embassy in Slovakia, pleaseclick hereSearch.

air traffic

The airport in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is relatively small and mainly serves routes operated by several European low-cost airlines to London, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, Moscow, Dubai, and other destinations. Due to the low passenger flow and only about 60 kilometers away from Vienna International Airport, travelers from China to Slovakia can generally choose to fly directly to Vienna Airport and then take a taxi or bus to the capital city of Bratislava.

Bratislava Airport telephone:+421-2-33033353; website https://www.bts.aero/en/home/

land transport

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe with convenient transportation. The capital city of Bratislava is located in the southwest of the country, with European highways and railways connecting neighboring countries such as Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Highway passage requires purchasing highway tickets at gas stations, with ticket prices varying according to the length of passage time. Please log in to the following website to check the train schedule: https://cp.hnonline.sk/en/vlakbusmhd/spojenie/

Slovakia does not recognize Chinese driver's licenses and requires passing local police traffic regulations and road tests (in Slovak) to obtain a Slovak driver's license. Slovak motor vehicles drive on the right side. On sidewalks with traffic signals, pedestrians must strictly follow the traffic rules of stopping at red lights and going at green lights, while vehicles must strictly follow the traffic rules of giving way to the main road on the secondary road and turning right only when the green light is on. Most areas of Slovakia are hilly, and if driving in winter, it is necessary to replace winter tires. Otherwise, steep slopes and slippery roads can easily lead to accidents, and insurance companies will not compensate.

water communication

Usually only during the tourist season, there are boats on the Danube River that travel from Bratislava to Budapest or Vienna.

Urban transportation

The road traffic conditions in Slovakia are good. There are public transportation options such as buses, trolleybuses, or trams available in major cities, which are fast and convenient. Children under the age of 7 are free of charge, and timed ticket prices are implemented. There are no tickets sold on the bus, and passengers must purchase tickets at the street side newsstand or automatic ticket vending machine in advance. Each station has signs indicating the travel time between each boarding and alighting station, and passengers decide to purchase the required tickets based on this. Tickets should be placed on the punching machine immediately after boarding to print the boarding time, otherwise a fine will be imposed during ticket checking. Inter city transportation options include long-distance buses, trains, or taxis. Monthly, quarterly, and annual ticket prices can be found on the following websites: https://dpb.sk/sk/listok-predplatny-cestovny-listok

major city

1、 Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of the Slovak Republic and the largest city in Slovakia, with an area of approximately 368 square kilometers and a population of approximately 47.7

Wan. Bratislava is located on the banks of the Danube River, at the border of Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary, 60 kilometers away from Vienna, and is the political and cultural center of Slovakia.

2、 Kosice

Kosice is located in the eastern part of Slovakia and is the second largest city in Slovakia. It is also the capital of Kosice Oblast. The area is 243 square kilometers and the population is approximately 226000.

3、 Zilina

Ž ilina is the third largest city in Slovakia and also the economic and cultural center of northwestern Slovakia. The population is about 81000.

Commodity prices

1、 The main products include minerals such as lignite and hard coal. The main crops include barley, wheat, corn, oilseed crops, potatoes, sugar beets, etc.

2、 Compared to Western European countries, Slovakia has a relatively low price index and a rich supply of goods in the market.

3、 The prices of daily consumer goods, clothing, and fuel oil all include a 20% value-added tax.

4、 Financial Services

Slovakia adopted the euro on January 1, 2009, and tourists can exchange their foreign currency for euros at banks or private exchange points.

5、 Main bank websites

Slovak National Bank: http://www.nbs.sk/sk/titulna-stranka

Tatra Bank: http://www.tatrabanka.sk/sk/

United Credit Bank: https://www.unicreditbank.sk/sk/obcania.html

Credit and Development Bank: https://www.szrb.sk/

Czechoslovak Trade Bank: http://www.csob.sk/

Bratislava Commercial Bank: http://www.koba.sk/

Insurance Medical

Slovak medical conditions can meet the basic needs of patients. Slovak citizens generally enjoy medical insurance. Tourists or overseas Chinese can also purchase insurance, including medical insurance, through insurance companies. When foreigners enter the country, the authorities may require them to show valid medical insurance certificates in Slovakia. Slovakia does not have typical endemic infectious diseases, and inbound travelers do not need to be vaccinated. Main hospitals:

1、 Bratislava Ruzinov District Hospital

Address: 6 Ruzinovska Street.

Phone:+ 421-2-48234111.

E-mail NRu@fnspba.sk

2、 Kramare Hospital in Bratislava

Address: 5 Limbava Street.

Phone:+ 421-2-5954111.

E-mail info@fnspba.sk .

3、 Bratislava Old Town Hospital

Address: 13 Mickiewiczova Street.

Phone:+ 421-2-57290111.

E-mail NSM@fnspba.sk .

4、 Fakultn á Hospital in Kosice

Address: Rastislavova 43，Kosice。

Phone: 055/6152200055/6152202.

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and festivals

Republic Day (January 1), Easter (the first Friday and Monday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox each year), Labor Day (May 1), Victory over Fascism Day (May 8), Saint Cyril and Methodius Day (July 5), Slovak National Uprising Memorial Day (August 29), Constitution Day (September 1), Passion of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Slovakia (September 15), All Souls' Day (November 1), Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (November 17), Christmas Day (December 24-26).

2、 Common Etiquette and Habits

Slovaks are warm and hospitable, and the highest etiquette for welcoming guests is for young people wearing ethnic costumes to invite guests to taste bread and salt. Ethnic song and dance performances are interspersed during the banquet, and commemorative gifts are given as gifts when seeing off guests. Emphasize humility, courtesy, and public order, and avoid loud noise and crowding in public places. I love blue, which symbolizes nobility, and red, which symbolizes passion. I prefer meat and dairy products and consume less seafood. The vegetables and fruits that are consumed more are tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, apples, bananas, etc.

I like the number 7 and avoid 13. Sending flowers in the singular is considered auspicious. Small chrysanthemum flowers are mostly used for sweeping and sacrificial purposes. I believe that although willow trees are beautiful, their drooping branches symbolize sadness. I hate spitting everywhere, but I don't mind using a handkerchief to blow my nose in public.

Communications Power

Dial Slovakia landline from within the country: 00421+city code+phone number; Dial Slovak mobile phone number 00421+from within the country (do not dial the first 0).

Slovakia has relatively high call costs, with T-com being the main fixed line network operator, UPC， Mobile network operator T-Mobile, O2，Orange，4ka, The main Internet provider is UPC, T-com，Orange。 The equipment and network speed of the Internet have developed rapidly in recent years, and the optical fiber home network speed can reach up to 160M.

The civilian voltage in Slovakia is 220 volts, and the plug system and power interface are all European standard models (German standard).

contact information