If you don’t need a visa to enter, the total period of stay in the country shouldn’t exceed 90 days within 180 days. This applies when you are traveling as a tourist, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings, cultural or sporting events. A longer stay is possible, but you must apply for a visa or residence permit.

The list of countries whose citizens can enter Slovakia under the visa-free regime can be viewed here: https://www.minv.sk/?visa-free-regime-1 

Citizens of non-EU countries who aren’t eligible to enter by the visa-free regime are required to have a visa. The visa confirms the consent of the country's authorities to enter and stay a particular person on its territory.

Pay attention! The European Union will not issue Schengen visas to citizens who received Russian passports in the DNR, LNR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Types of the Visas

A foreigner can apply for a Schengen or national visa. Read more here.

A Schengen visa marked with the "C" symbol can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. The validity period of a Schengen visa usually covers the validity period specified in the application for a visa to Slovakia. If you frequently travel to the Schengen area, then depending on the decision of the Slovak consulate, you can get a 1, 2, 3 and 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa. However, keep in mind that in any case, you can stay in the Schengen area for no more than 90 days.

Required documents for obtaining a Schengen visa for tourist/private visits to Slovakia.

• An application form in English or Slovak language

• One photo with the size 3 x 3.5 cm

• A passport that must be valid for at least three months after the date of last departure from the Schengen area. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"

• National identity card and residence permit/visa (if the country of residence and citizenship differ)

• Travel health insurance. The insurance must cover at least 30 000 euros and be valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen area

• For minors: a copy of the birth certificate, parental or legal guardian consent should only be required if the minor is traveling alone or with only one parent. 

• The proof of residence (invitation from the host party, proof of payment for the hotel issued by a Slovak Tourist Organization)

• The route confirmation

• The proof of availability of funds (estimated at 56 euros for each day of stay) - bank/credit card withdrawal covering at least the previous three months

Visa processing period 

The average visa processing time for tourist/private visits to Slovakia is 3-10 calendar days. It depends on your country of visa application.

Visa commission

When applying for a visa for tourist/private visits to Slovakia visa, each applicant must pay a visa fee. This fee is non-refundable regardless of the result of issuing the visa. Currently, the Schengen visa commission for citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia has been reduced to 35 euros. In other countries, this amount is 90 euros for persons aged 12 years and older, 45 euros for children aged 6-12 years, and children under 6 years are exempt from visa fees.

Visa fees are abolished by all states of the Schengen agreement for the following categories of people, regardless of their citizenship:

• Close relatives of people who are legally residing in the Schengen area (close relatives include husband/wife, children (including adopted children), parents (or guardians), grandparents, grandchildren)

• Pensioners

• Members of official delegations, including permanent members of official delegations participating in official meetings, consultations, negotiations and exchange programs, as well as in events of intergovernmental organizations by official invitation

• Schoolchildren, undergraduates, postgraduates and teaching staff who travel with them for research and educational purposes within the framework of the official educational program

• If necessary, disabled people and their accompanying people

• Participants of international sports events and persons accompanying them in connection with their professional activities

• Official visits of journalists and technical staff

Where to apply for a visa for tourist / private visits to Slovakia

You apply for a visa at Slovak visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which of them accept visa applications in your country of residence. If not in your country, you need to contact the nearest embassy or Consulate at your address.

Additional documents

When entering Slovakia, a foreigner must have:

• A passport or other travel document with a minimum validity period of at least 3 months from the date of planned departure from the country;

• A valid visa or other valid document granting the right to enter and stay in this territory, if required;

• Health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros;

• In case of transit through Slovakia to another state – a permit to enter another state or a permit to stay in another state.

How much money do you need to have when entering Slovakia?

The border guard service has the right to require a foreigner to document the availability of sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of living in Slovakia and returning to the country of origin.

The amount depends on the length of stay in the country and is based on 56 euros per day (which are divided into the following components: 30 for accommodation, 4 for breakfast, 7.5 for lunch and dinner, and 7 for current expenses). If some items are paid for, the claim is reduced accordingly.