Latest News: Slovakia exempts specific groups of people from quarantine and COVID-19 test requirements for entry (Schengen Visa Info, 27.04.2021).

International Restrictons:

*From within the EU:

Slovakia adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Slovakia are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Is a quarantine required?

All travellers arriving by land or air must complete a 14-day quarantine.

The quarantine period may be shortened by taking an RT-PCR test no less than 8 days after arrival. If the result of this test is negative, the period of quarantine can end.

Vaccinated people and persons who have recovered from COVID-19 do not have to wait 8 days and may undergo the RT-PCR test at any time after their arrival.

Children under the age of 10 will have to stay in isolation as long as the other members of their common household are in quarantine.

Exceptions to the quarantine rule apply to commuters working in neighbouring countries (within 100 km from the border), citizens of the Slovak Republic who live in the territory of a neighbouring country within 100 km from an open border crossing point, students, caregivers, people employed in the cultural sector, the media and the like, as well as employees of diplomatic missions and international organisations enjoying diplomatic immunity.

All above-stated groups are required to present a negative result of an antigenic or PCR test, not older than 7 days, each time they enter Slovakia.

A detailed list of exceptions is available at: Travel to the Slovak Republic

Is a coronavirus test required?

Travellers from EU or Schengen Associated countries, who have either:

• recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days
• or been vaccinated against Covid-19, with their second dose received more than 14 ago in the case of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna), or their first dose received more than 4 weeks ago in the case of vector vaccines (AstraZeneca)

can enter Slovakia if they present a negative Covid-19 antigen test no older than 48 hours or of a negative RT-PCR test no older than 72 hours.

Additionally, they will have to quarantine until they take a second test, at their expenses, and they result negative again.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers are obliged to register at korona.gov.sk/ehranica before arriving in Slovakia. Air travellers must also fill in a Passenger Locator Form.

Find out more:
https://korona.gov.sk/en/travelling-to-slovakia-and-covid19/
https://www.mzv.sk/web/en/covid-19

Health cover for temporary stays *Transit:

As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restriction.

EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.

Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.

More specifically for Slovakia, citizens of EU Member States, and their family members, returning to the EU Member State of which they are a citizen, can transit Slovakia providing travel documents at the border controls.

Travellers in transit must pass through the Slovak territory without stopping (only refuelling is allowed) for no more than 8 hours.

Find out more:
Covid-19 information

Only travellers coming from the following countries can enter Slovakia without restrictions: Australia, China, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan.

Is a quarantine required?

Starting from 17 February, all travellers entering Slovakia by land or air will need to quarantine upon arrival for a period of 14 days, which can be ended on day 8 of isolation at the earliest, if the traveller gets tested for COVID-19 and results negative.

Children under the age of 10 will have to stay in isolation as long as the other members of their common household are in quarantine.

Exceptions to the quarantine rule apply to commuters working in neighbouring countries, students, caregivers, people employed in the cultural sector, the media and the like, as well as employees of diplomatic missions and international organisations enjoying diplomatic immunity.

All above-stated groups are required to present a negative result of an antigenic or PCR test, not older than 7 days, each time they enter Slovakia.

A detailed list of exceptions is available at: Travel to the Slovak Republic

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers are obliged to register at korona.gov.sk/ehranica before arriving in Slovakia. Air travellers must also fill in a Passenger Locator Form.

Find out more:
https://korona.gov.sk/en/travelling-to-slovakia-and-covid19/
https://www.mzv.sk/web/en/covid-19

*Public spaces and services: The Slovak government has imposed restrictions on public life to counter the spread of COVID-19. The measures and restrictions in a given district may change according to the local epidemiological situation, as set out in a framework announced by the Slovak government known as the ‘Covid Automat’. Details can be found on the Slovak government website (in Slovak only).

The Slovak government has published details (in Slovak only) of a further easing of local restrictions in certain districts in effect from 3 May. You can also check the local restrictions in each district by typing its name into the Slovak government’s online search tool. You can find a summary of the current restrictions in English on the website of the local English-language media, the Slovak Spectator.

From 3 May, the nationwide curfew has been reduced to a period lasting between 9pm until 1am the following morning. During this period, you may only leave home for certain essential purposes including travel to work, to hospital or a pharmacy, or to walk a pet. You may need to show a recent negative COVID-19 test when travelling to work during this period. A daytime curfew remains in place between 5am and 9pm in the districts with the highest infection rates. These districts are marked as ‘dark red’ or ‘Tier III’ in the colour-coded Covid Automat.

The Slovak government has permitted the reopening of shops and some services, swimming pools, fitness centres, libraries and museums. Hotels may accommodate people from one household or a maximum of two adults per room, but guests need a negative PCR or antigen test no older than 72 hours. Hotel indoor restaurants will remain closed. Outdoor dining areas have reopened, with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. It is now possible to visit friends and family in other households in districts marked in the Covid Automat as ‘red’ or lower. Some cultural events for more than 6 people are also permitted, with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place.

You must still wear a facemask of FFP2 standard, or higher, inside all buildings and on public transport, but regular facemasks are acceptable in schools and outdoors. Facemasks are not obligatory outdoors if people can maintain five metres distance or they live together in one household. You must wear a facemask at an outdoor dining area, unless you are eating and drinking.

From 3 May, you no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result between 5am and 9pm in districts marked in the Covid Automat as ‘red’ or lower (except for attending events of over 6 people, or going to a hotel or ski resort).

Travelling abroad for holidays is currently prohibited, and breaches of the rule could incur a fine of up to 1000 euros. You should expect extra checks and possible delays at borders and airports when leaving Slovakia, and you may be asked to show documentary evidence that your journey is essential.

For more information check the Slovak Public Health Authority (in Slovak only). The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also has information in English. You should also monitor developments on local English language media such as Radio Slovakia International and The Slovak Spectator.