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State
Official name: Slovak Republic
Area:49 030 km2
Administrative divisions: Informally the country is divided into three regions, Western, Central and Eastern Slovakia.
8 regions (kraje) centered around the major cities: Bratislavský, Nitrianský, Trnavský, Banskobystrický, Trencianský, Žilinksy, Košický, Prešovký
Cities:
Bratislava (451 616 people), capital
Košice (234 840 people), industrial city
Prešov (93 000 people), known electrical engineering center, adminstrative and cultural center of Eastern Slovakia
Nitra (87 500 people), important center of food processing industry
Žilina (86 811 people), business center of the northwestern region, international transport junction
Banska Bistricá (85 052 people), mining and manufacturing center, administrative and cultural center of Central Slovakia
Population
Population: 5,3 million people
Ethnic groups:
Slovak majority (85,6%), Hungarian (10,8%), Roma (1,8%), Czech (1,2%), other (0,6%)
Official language: Link to the languages
Religion:
Roman-Catholic (60,3%), Protestant (6,2%), Greek Catholic (3,4%), Reformist (0,6%), Orthodox (0,6%), Atheist (9,7%), other (19,2%)
Currency:
Official currency: Slovenska koruna (SKK)
Exchange rate: 1 EURO = 42,15 SKK (last update 20.02.03)
Politics
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
President: Rudolf Schuster
Prime Minister: Mikulás Dzurinda
Political parties: Movement for Democratic Slovakia, led by the former PM Vladimir Meciar, is a pro-European Union party enjoying the biggest popularity at the moment. It is a national center party, presenting both left and right-wing features.
Slovak Democratic Coalition consists of a few small Christian, democratic right-wing parties which was established initially as an opposition against Vladimir Meciar. All component parties support Slovakia’s entry into the EU and further privatisation.
Party of the Hungarian coalition is a coalition of the three Hungarian parties which calls for cultural and educational autonomy.
Slovak National Party, a nationalist, right-wing party which doesn’t support Slovakia’s joining NATO.
Elections: Next elections for Presidency in 2004
Next elections for Parliament in 2006
Referendum for EU accession in June 2003
Climate
Climate Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Harsher winters are to be expected in the Tatra mountains region.
Average temperature Average temperatures are between -3°C - 2°C in January to 16°C - 26°C in July.
Time zone
Slovakia is one hour ahead of standard GMT, in the same time belt as most Western European countries. There is no time difference between Belgium/Germany/the Netherlands and Slovakia.
How to get to Slovakia?
By plane
Bratislava: with Air Slovakia direct connection from Bratislava to only a few European cities (Zurich, Prague); as Vienna is only 64 km away, Bratislava can be easily reached through the Austrian capital, from where regularly buses run to Bratislava city center, only 40 km or about 45 minutes away.
Košice: with Austrian Airlines via Vienna, with Czech Airline via Prague, with SkyEurope via Bratislava (daily connections to all three destinations)
Banska Bystricá: through Budapest which is 170 km away
By car
Bratislava: has a modern motorway connection to Prague (via Brno), Budapest (via Györ) and Vienna. An express road connection to Katowice in Poland is being constructed on the Slovakian side and planned on the Polish side of the border.
Distance Bratislava - major European cities
| Km | Driving time (hours) | |
| Amsterdam | 1 233 | 11,5 |
| Belgrade | 510 | 7 |
| Berlin | 655 | 7,5 |
| Brussels | 1 190 | 11 |
| Bucharest | 995 | 12,5 |
| Budapest | 206 | 2,5 |
| Copenhagen | 1 046 | 13 |
| Frankfurt | 793 | 7,5 |
| Ljubljana | 424 | 4,5 |
| London | 1 510 | 15 |
| Munich | 478 | 5 |
| Paris | 1 316 | 12 |
| Prague | 317 | 3 |
| Rome | 1 130 | 11 |
| Sofia | 893 | 11,5 |
| Vienna | 67 | 1 |
| Vilnius | 1 081 | 14 |
| Warsaw | 647 | 7,5 |
| Zagreb | 356 | 5 |
Infrastructure:
Slovakia is in the process of improving its present road infrastructure. Motorways are limited at this point to the busy areas around the major cities, and some isolated stretches near the Tatra Mountains. The longest motorway stretches 100 km north of Bratislava. The total road network includes only 296 kilometers of highway. Most roads are only two lanes and go through hilly areas.
Future development plans include the construction of another 460 km of highway by 2005. Off the highway, speed is considerably slower than EU citizens are used to, mainly due to the many curves in the roads. The Eastwards staff is familiar with local driving times. When making your travel and meeting schedules, we take into account your travel preferences and take care the schedule stays realistic and feasible.
There is a limited number of international flights into Slovakia, due to its proximity to Prague, Budapest and Vienna.
The railway network is well developed (3 655 km of railway) and many international routes cross the country). Quality of trains differs - IC and EC trains are rather clean, but other express and local trains may be quite uncomfortable. Fast and comfortable connections are available on the relation Bratislava-Košice, Bratislava-Banska Bystricá and Bratislava-Prague. Trains run between Bratislava and Budapest (daily), Vienna (daily), Prague (several trains daily), Warsaw via Krakov (several times weekly), Moscow (two-three times weekly). Electrification of the entire rail system is planned by 2010 and an additional high speed rail system between Bratislava and Vienna airport, as well as Bratislava and Poland and Ukraine.
The most important port on the Danube is Bratislava. Other important port is Komarno, on the border with Hungary, a rail and road crossroads.
Wages:
Average gross salary (2001): 270 EUR
Average wage for a manual labourer: 130-140 EUR
Average wage for economist leaving university: 300-350 EUR
Wages have been constantly rising, keeping the pace of economy’s growth. There are significant regional differences, and wages are considerably higher in Bratislava than in the rest of the country. Therefore when looking for staff, it is important not to pay exuberant wages, as they will not motivate your local staff at all, but on the other hand beware not to pay too low wages, as they will without doubt demotivate your local staff. Eastwards takes care of your recruitment of local top management, sales and financial management or specialists, and will consult you which wage packages are most suitable for the job responsibilities and place of employment you offer.
Economic information
| 2000 | 2001 | |
| Inflation | 12,3% | n/a |
| Real GDP growth rate (change to previous year) | 2,2% | 3,3% |
| GDP per capita | 4 000 EUR | 4 200 EUR |
| Unemployment | 19,1% | 19,4% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to DE | 3 822 mil. EUR | 27,1% |
| Imports from DE | 4 072 mil. EUR | 24,7% |
| 2001 | ||
| Export to AU | 1 143 mil. EUR | 8,1% |
| Imports from AU | 676 mil. EUR | 4,1% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to CR | 2 341 mil. EUR | 16,6% |
| Imports from CR | 2 654 mil. EUR | 15,1% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to EU | 8 448 mil. EUR | 59,9% |
| Imports from EU | 8 210 mil. EUR | 49,8% |
Legal framework for doing business in Slovakia - types of companies
General partnership - "Verejná obchodná spolocnost" (v.o.s.)
Limited liability company - "Spolocnost’s rucením obmedzeným" (s.r.o.)
Limited partnership company - "Komanditná spolocnost" (k.s.)
Joint stock company - "Akciová spolocnost" (a.s.)
For further information on establishing a company in Slovakia, please contact us.
Official documents
International passport needed for entering the country, you will be controlled at the border. You do not need a visa for entering the country.
Cultural heritage
Slovakia’s crossroad position and proximity to the capital of the former Habsburg Empire, Vienna as well as Budapest and Prague have shaped up its culture. Bratislava castle watches over the old town which boasts many ancient landmarks. Slovakia is also famous for its ski resorts, beautiful mountain scenery in the Tatra Mountains, and spas. Many medieval castles and mansions houses are spread around the country.
Historic cities: Bratislava, Košice
Smaller historic places: Levoca, Banská Bistrica,
Castles: Betliar, Bojnice, Bratislava, Spiš
Nature: Tatra Mountains, Slovensky Raj
Gastronomy
Slovak cuisine has been influenced by Hungarian, Austrian and German cooking. Meat, especially pork meat is an important part of the diet, but various forms of pastries are important part of the everyday meal.
Bryndzowe halužky (potato dumplings with cheese) are a Slovak traditional dish. Plum dumplings (sweet dish) can be also served as a main course. Freshly baked bread, sheep cheese, potatoes and soup are important part of the Slovak diet. Rezen (breaded meat steak) served with potatoes and sauce is common as well as special kettle gulaš (goulash) and fried lamb. Among the traditional drinks are borovicka (sort of gin) and šlivovica (plum brandy). Although Slovaks aren’t such heavy beer drinkers as their cousins, the Czechs, there are many beer brands, mainly from local, small breweries. High quality wines come from the Tokay region near the Hungarian border and from around Bratislava region.
Prices
There are wide regional price differences. Bratislava and the major cities are more expensive.
| SKK | EUR | |
| bread | 15 | 0,35 |
| 0,5 l of beer | 17-25 | 0,4-0,6 |
| 1 cup of coffee | 20-50 | 0,5-1,2 |
| 1 bottle of wine | 80 | 1,9 |
| 1 liter of milk | 15-26 | 0,35-0,61 |
| 1 kg of chicken meat | 150 | 3,5 |
| 1 liter of petrol | 34 | 0,8 |
| 1 liter of diesel oil | 29 | 0,68 |
| Taxi services | 20+40/km | 0,5+0,95 |
| Average cost of meal | 100-250 | 2,5-6 EUR |
| Real estate/m2 | 400-900 EUR | |
| 1 movie ticket | 70-120 | 1,7 -3 |
| Average cost of lodging | 30-60 EUR |
Safety
Even in the capital city Bratislava, you are quite safe compared to major European cities.
Working hours
| Public institutions | 08.00 - 16.00 |
| Business offices | 08.00 - 16.00 (usual) |
| Banks | 08.00 - 15.30 (weekdays) 08.00 -12.00 (Saturdays) |
| Department stores | 08.00 - 18.00 (weekdays) 08.00 - 12.00 (Saturdays) |
| Shops (grocery stores) | 08.00 - 18.00 (weekdays) 08.00 - 12.00 (Saturdays) |
Public holidays
| 2004 | |
| New Year’s Holidays | January, 1st |
| Epiphany | January, 6th |
| Good Friday | April, 9th |
| Easter Monday | April, 12th |
| Labour Day | May, 1st |
| St. Cyril and St. Methodus | July, 5th |
| Slovak National Uprising | August, 29th |
| Constitution Day | September, 1st |
| Our Lady of Sorrows | September, 15th |
| All Saints Day | November, 1st |
| Velvet Revolution | November, 17th |
| Christmas Holidays | December, 24th- 26th |
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