- How To Book
- Services
- Use us for
- Moving to
- Movers guide
- Insurance
- FAQs
- Blog
- Get in touch
- English
We only started doing removals to Slovakia in 2014. Not because we excluded the country previously, but because there was little demand. It is on the increase though. If you’re thinking about moving to Slovakia, this country offers lots of opportunities as well as a beautiful way of life. There will be many differences with the experience you’re used to, however, that you’ll need to research first. This little guide will help you to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork completed and are prepared for your arrival in the country.
A small country that lies within central-eastern Europe, Slovakia is only 49,035 km2(18,933 sq mi). It was recognised as an independent nation in 1993 when it split from Czechoslovakia. Slovakia is a landlocked country with Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, the Czech Republic in the west, Hungary in the south, and Austria in the southwest.
The landscape includes modern cities, mountains and rural areas.
There are some thriving industries in Slovakia including electronics and car manufacturing (world’s most significant per-capita car producer), as well as tourism and the service industry. Agriculture is critical too, with approximately 40% of the land dedicated to agricultural use.
The climate within the country can depend on what part of Slovakia you move to. In general, as it lies between a continental and temperate zone: the summers are warm and comfortable while the winters are humid and cloudy. In the south, summer can be quite hot, especially around Bratislava. The north can experience harsh winters with plunging temperatures and snow right the way through to March or April.
If you’re considering relocating overseas, moving to Slovakia may not be an obvious choice. Although many other European destinations are more traditionally popular, Slovakia is an emerging location that has some unique qualities to offer.
The government of Slovakia is actively trying to attract business and investors, and that opens many opportunities. Often referred to as a tiger economy, Slovakia has the potential for rapid growth.
The cost of living is much lower too, providing even greater options especially if you’re retiring in Slovakia. Bratislava is more expensive than other areas, but still cheap compared to elsewhere and income potential is much higher too.
But there are more reasons to move to Slovakia than purely economic. The landscape is stunning and offers excellent opportunities for hiking, camping and exploring natural sites such as mineral springs, lakes and caves.
If you’re not a fan of the great outdoors, you’ll still find plenty to do. Slovakia has an abundance of fascinating historical sites, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites too.
Slovak is the official language; this is very similar to Czech, for obvious historical reasons.
The south of the country has a sizeable Hungarian contingent, and as a result, Hungarian is spoken widely there. English is spoken in some areas, mainly by the younger generations.
If you are moving to Kosice or Bratislava, you may be able to get by without learning Slovak, but it’s not ideal. To properly integrate with the local community, it’s advisable to learn the language. If you are moving anywhere else in Slovakia, you are unlikely to find English spoken universally and managing everyday life could be difficult.
The road network has received a lot of investment in recent years and is comprehensive and well maintained. The Slovakians drive on the right, and many roads include tolls. You can avoid having to continually carry cash by purchasing a prepaid card, cutting down the inconvenience.
In the cities, you’ll also have the choice of different types of public transport including trains, buses, trolleys and trams. You will only find the latter two in the larger cities. The train network covers cross-country too so you won’t necessarily need a car even for longer journeys.
If you’re moving to Slovakia from elsewhere in the EU, you won’t need to get a visa to be able to work. However, you will need to register for permanent residency for tax purposes. If you begin working your employer will need to register your presence with the relevant government agencies within seven days.
If you’re moving to Slovakia from outside the EU, you will need to obtain a temporary residence permit to enter. This permit will allow you to stay for 90 days upwards, for a maximum of 12 months. When it expires, you can apply for its renewal.
Health care is one area where Slovakia still has some improving to do. Coming from a country with a good healthcare system, you will feel that the Slovakian provision is below par. Although primary health care is free of charge, some services are not, and not every hospital has the equipment it needs.
For this reason, whether you’re an EU national or travelling from further afield, you should seriously consider taking out private health insurance.
Moving to Slovakia is not as challenging as you may think, due to the high standard of the road network and the evenly distributed population. This ensures that there’s a good supply of fuel and other essentials for international removals arriving in the country.
Slovakia is a destination which is increasing in popularity due to the cost of living and the opportunities available. As such, European moving teams regularly visit the country to transport belongings for people who are relocating.
Because Slovakia is part of eastern Europe, and not yet a popular moving destination, not every international removal company will have experience in transporting goods to this country. It is recommended to use a company with specific expertise in Slovakia.
Whether you choose our Load & Go or our EasyMoves solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Slovakia and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.