Europe

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
 

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

 

Crime

In Bratislava especially there remains a risk of petty theft.  Pickpockets operate around the main tourist areas, and foreigners are easily identified and targeted.  You should take precautions against bag snatching and mugging.  Do not leave valuables unattended.  When jackets are placed on the backs of restaurant chairs, wallets should be kept securely elsewhere.  When putting bags down, place one foot through the arm straps to prevent theft.  

There have been occurrences in Bratislava of visitors being given "spiked" drinks and waking several hours later to find all their valuables gone.  Be wary of drinks offered by persons unknown to you.  Some large city centre pubs employ heavy-handed bouncers, some of whom carry firearms, who control boisterous behaviour very aggressively.  Be careful not to offend by showing disrespect to e.g. other national flags.

There have been cases of theft of valuables at the Zlaty Piesky camping area in Bratislava.  You should exercise particular caution when camping there.  You should also be careful at Bratislava airport and keep valuables and cash with you, rather than place it in checked baggage.

There have been instances of drivers of foreign-licensed cars being targeted by criminals. If you have to fix a puncture, or any damage to your tyres, you should ensure that your vehicle is locked before you sort out the problem.  Since the start of 2008 there has been an increase in robberies from parked cars. Items stolen have not been on general view. We recommend that all valuables are removed from the car when parking, rather than just being placed out of sight.

Taxi drivers sometimes attempt to overcharge tourists, e.g. by adding unauthorised supplements or by not setting the meter at the start of a journey.  Insist that you will pay only the fare shown on the meter.

More serious crime does happen in Slovakia but is not usually targeted at tourists or visitors and tends to be a result of disputes between warring criminal fractions.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad. 

Political Situation

Slovakia Country Profile.

 

Local Travel

 

Road Travel

 

Make sure that you have valid motor insurance for your car.  Right-hand drive cars can not normally be registered in Slovakia, which makes it very difficult to obtain insurance for those who intend to settle or remain in Slovakia to work.

 

You can drive on a UK driving licence for up to six months.

 

Children under the age of 12 must not sit in the front seat of moving vehicles.

 

Although reasonably good, many main roads have only a single carriageway in each direction making overtaking difficult.   Road markings are difficult to see in poor weather.

 

The standard of driving is not high and can be aggressive, with drivers often going too fast, pushing into dangerously small gaps, tailgating and overtaking with little regard for other road users.  Drive defensively and allow yourself more "thinking time".  Specifically, beware of oncoming cars overtaking on your side of the road (particularly on bends and hills).  Older, low-powered cars and trucks travel very slowly; be careful not to overestimate their speed.  In 2007 there were 627 road deaths in Slovakia (source: DfT).  This equates to 11.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

 

In winter, equip your car for severe driving conditions:  use winter tyres, and if travelling outside Bratislava carry extra warm clothing, hot drinks in a thermos-flask, sacking (to help give tyres purchase in slippery conditions) and a shovel.  Although winter tyres are not compulsory in Slovakia, where an accident occurs and one vehicle has normal tyres the official presumption is that the vehicle is at fault.

From 18 December 2008 it has become obligatory for vehicles to have their headlights switched on all year round, regardless of the weather and whether they are in a town or out in the country.  Speed limits in towns have been reduced to 50kms per hour. 
 

Please note that drivers with any trace of alcohol in their body will be arrested.  There is no permitted level other than 0%.  If you are involved in an accident while driving the Police will give you a breath test regardless of who is to blame.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

 

Skiing and Hiking

 

If you ski or hike in the Slovak mountains and get into difficulties you should be aware that since if the Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) is called out to assist you, you will be required to meet their full costs.  The costs could range from € 116 to €9,960 depending on the size of the operation.  Any person ignoring/violating HZS commands or laws will be liable to a fine of up to €3,320Skiers and mountain visitors are recommended to ensure they have sufficient insurance to cover any rescue costs and to take heed of any instructions issued by HZS.

 

Air Travel

 

Revised EU-wide security measures apply in Slovakia.  For more details about this see Airline Security