About Slovakia

Slovakia’s Economy

Slovakia is considered a high-income advanced economy. Following the return to democracy, the country underwent a challenging transition to a market economy and the privatization of most industries are now complete. Substantial regional differences exist, however, in wealth and employment.
Economy of Slovakia is worth $106.552 (nominal, 2019 est.) $187.264 billion (PPP, 2020 est.). In 2020, Slovakia was ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the 38th richest country in the world (out of 187 countries), with purchasing power parity per capita GDP of $38,321.
Main industries: automobiles; metal and metal products; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals, synthetic fibers, wood and paper products; machinery; earthenware and ceramics; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products; food and beverages; pharmaceutical.

Slovakia – a Safe Country

Slovakia is a safe country to visit. Crime rates are low, even by European standards and violent crime is almost non-existent. Pickpockets are definitely a problem, though much less so than in other European countries and top destinations.

Higher Education in Slovakia

At present there are 20 public universities, 10 private universities and three state universities and colleges in Slovakia.
To enter a course or program on tiertary level in Slovakia students must take one or more entrance examinations, the number of examinations and their content vary depending on what school you are applying for.
Your work of study in Slovakia will be graded according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This will make it very easy to transfer your grades and/or degree(s) both to and from Slovakia. The academic year in practice stretches from September to June and is divided into two semesters. The main teaching language has long been Slovak, but today Slovakia offers many undergraduate and graduate programs also in English.
If you choose to study in Slovakia, you will find that it is not only about obtaining a degree. Slovak universities offer a lot of extracurricular activities, especially when student organizations are involved. You can do sports, sing in a choir, go hiking in the mountains and so much more.

Working in Slovakia

Citizens of European Union do not need work permit if they want to work in Slovakia. They have free entry to Slovakia. All citizens who come from non-EU countries must apply for temporary residence permit. It is granted for a maximum period of 2 years, for a seasonal work maximum 6 months.
International students who come from outside the European Union studying in Slovakia full-time can work during their studies for up to 20 hours a week – and after finishing their studies at a Slovak University, they can work in Slovakia without any special work permit.

Slovaks – how are they like?

Slovaks are emotional nation. They experience joys, successes, disappointments and sorrows with emotions. They are sincere, friendly, open, hearty, generous, but also touchy. This is the way they differ from their neighbouring nations. But in the end, it is their heartiness and trustfulness that prevail. They are able to fully experience joys and concerns of their visitors and empathise with their feelings. They are called a country of friends.

Slovak Culture and Sports

Slovakia is colored by a very rich, old and diverse folk culture of songs, fairy tales, dances, literature, music and art. Slovakia holds over 50 museums nationwide including the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava, this is well worth a visit if you are curious about Slovak history, nature and archaeology. Bratislava also holds the Slovak National Gallery. In the summer there are a range of music and culture festivals taking place in Slovakia, most in Bratislava and other larger cities
The most watched sports in Slovakia are football, ice hockey and tennis. Internationally, the most successful sport in Slovakia is ice hockey where currently, as of 2020, the country is ranked as the ninth best team in the world by the IIHF World Ranking.

Slovak Cuisine

Slovak cuisine is heavily influenced by the one of the surrounding countries offering meat dishes with sides of some variety of potatoes, or soups. The national dish of Slovakia is Bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings similar to gnocci served with sheep´s-milk cheese and fried bacon. Lunch is the Slovak´s main meal of the day, lunch restaurants are called “jedálen”. Bon appétit, or Dobrú chuť!.

1. Dumplings with sheep cheese (Bryndzové halušky) – if you can only try one Slovak food, make it this one!
2. Cabbage soup (Kapustnica)
3. Goulash soup (Gulášová polievka)
4. Schnitzel (Vyprážaný rezeň)
5. Funnel cake (Trdelnik)

Mountains of Slovakia

Slovakia is world famous as a skiing destination and offers over a thousand slopes and pistes for both the beginner and the more experienced. If you are looking for a real challenge, your visit to Slovakia will give you a great opportunity to try out cross-country skiing or even “ski-alpinism”. This is a combination of alpine skiing, mountaineering and cross-country skiing carried out in the most extreme conditions, for example the Tatra mountains.
Slovak mountains are also ideal for hiking. Slovakia is by many considered a hiker´s paradise due to its varying terrain with basins, valleys, and hills mixed into the lowlands. 350 km of marked hiking paths in the Tatra National Park offers you protected flora and fauna surrounded by ice age mountain lakes and waterfalls.
The Tatras is a must-see destination when visiting Slovakia, with 25 of its peaks reaching beyond 2.500 metres over sea level. For shorter strolls and river rafting adventures you should visit the Pieniny national park to the east of the High Tatra range.

What is Slovakia famous for?

Slovakia has 180 castles and 425 chateaux – huge numbers for a small country!
More than six thousand caves have been discovered in Slovakia. Most of them can be found in the national parks of Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise, and Slovak Karst, and they truly are unique natural wonders.
Slovakia holds Europe’s oldest – and world’s second-oldest, after Boston – the marathon race. The best-known park is the High Tatras with peaks over 2500m, and it is a popular place for hiking and skiing. Meanwhile, Slovak Paradise is popular for exploring the caves; whereas Low Tatras is the largest national park full of mountains and green valleys — our favourite for mountain biking.