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Slovak Republic is a country located in Central Europe, surrounded by

the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria.

Central and northern Slovakia is more mountainous. High Tatras, which Slovaks qualify as the smallest of the highest mountains in the world are located in the center of the country along the Polish border. The south and east of the country lie in the lowlands and is an important agricultural area in Slovakia. Most important river is the Danube, which connects the capital Bratislava with two European metropolises Vienna and Budapest. Established form: republic Type of government: parliamentary democracy Formation date: 1. January 1993 (after split of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic) EU member since: 1. May 2004 Membership in other international organizations: UN, OECD, WTO, V4, NATO Area: 49,035 km2 Population: 5,379,450 (2001 census) Population density: 109.9 inhabitants per sq km Official language: Slovak Capital: Bratislava (population: 452,288) Largest cities (by population): Bratislava: 452,288; Koice: 249,915, Preov: 92,687; Nitra: 87,357; ilina: 86,685; Bansk Bystrica: 84,919 Nationalities: Slovak (85.6%), Hungarian (10.8%), Roma (1.8%), Czech (1.2%), Ruthenian (0.3%), Ukranian (0.3%), German (0.1%), Polish (0.1%), other (0.2%) Religion: Roman Catholic (60.3%), Greek Catholic (3.4%), Evangelic (6.2%), Orthodox (0.6%), non-denominational (9.7%), no data (18.2%) Main agricultural crops: wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, sugar beets Breeding: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats Main fields of industry: automobile industry, chemical industry, iron ore processing, fertilizers, plastics, brown coal mining Natural resources: iron ore, mercury, copper, lead, zinc Electric current: 230 V/50 Hz, outlets with safety peg

Political system: The Slovak Republic was established on January 1, 1993 as one of the successors to the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. It is a parliamentary democracy, and its Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender, religion, race, national origin, social status or political conviction. State bodies: The National Council of the Slovak Republic is a unicameral parliament and the countrys main legislative body. The National Council has 150 members elected for 4-year terms in direct elections. The electoral system is proportional representation. Parties as allocated seats in the Parliament according to the percentage share of the votes they get in parliamentary elections. Only a part with at least 5 % of votes can obtain seats in the Parliament. The President is the Head of State elected for a five-year term in a direct two-round election. The same person can be elected President for a maximum of two consecutive 5-year terms. The Government is the highest tier of executive power and consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Primer Ministers and Ministers. The Government is formed on the basis of parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister is appointed and can be dismissed by the President. Upon the advice of the Prime Minister, the President appoints and dismisses other members of the Government. The Government is collectively responsible for the exercise of governmental powers to the Parliament, which may hold a vote of no confidence at any time. The Parliament can hold a vote of no confidence to a single member of the Government too. Local Time: Slovakia is in the Central European Time Zone (GMT +1). During daylight savings time (the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October) the time is GMT+2. Climate: Slovakia has a continental climate with 4 seasons (spring,
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Month

Average Temperature Min - Max -3 - 2 -2 - 3 1 9

Average Precipitation (mm) 43 47 42 42 61 64 73 69 40 54 55 59

Wet Days (+0.25 mm) 12 12 10 11 11 11 11 10 8 11 13 14

summer, autumn, winter). Summers are hot with temperatures often over 30C and sometimes stormy. Winters are cold, cloudy and humid. The average winter daily temperature is 2C, but can plummet to -15C. The coldest month is January; the warmest are July and August. Data concerns Bratislava. Weather in northern and mountainous regions could be much colder.

6 - 19 11 - 21 14 - 24 16 - 26 15 - 26 12 - 22 7 - 15 3 - 8 0 - 4

Currency: The currency unit in Slovak Republic is the Slovak crown (abbreviation Sk, ISO code SKK). Banknotes in circulation are 20 Sk, 50 Sk, 100 Sk, 200 Sk, 500 Sk, 1000 Sk and 5000 Sk. Main motifs on the front side of the banknotes represents important personalities living in the territory of the present Slovakia in various historical eras. On the back side of the banknotes these motifs are completed by depicting places where these personalities lived and were active. Cards are accepted by most tourist-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, stores in the shopping districts, and petrol stations, but often not in museums, post offices, and train or bus stations. Travellers' cheques can be cashed in banks but are not accepted in shops. Cash machines (ATMs) are relatively widespread and have recently been integrated so that you can use several networks on a single machine. Foreign currency (including travelers' cheques) can be exchanged at exchange offices, main hotels, all banks, and border crossings, as well as major travel agencies. It is planned, that Slovak Republic will adopt Euro currency on January 1st 2009. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local and foreign currency is permitted. When exporting, importing or transiting money or other financial resources through the territory of the EU, amounts above the equivalent of 10,000 EUR must be declared on an official form at the corresponding customs office. Amounts in other currencies follow exchange rates given by the National Bank of Slovakia for the particular day. Financial resources sent by mail to or
Country Australia Bulgaria Czech Rep Denmark EMU Estonia Japan Canada Lithuania Latvia Hungary Norway Poland Romania Switzerland Sweden U.S.A. Great Britain Code AUD BGN CZK DKK EUR EEK JPY CAD LTL LVL HUF NOK PLN RON CHF SEK USD GBP Amount 1 1 1 1 1 1 100 1 1 1 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Exchange rate 21.380 17.292 1.182 4.543 33.816 2.161 20.435 23.646 9.790 48.583 13.587 4.209 8.911 10.555 20.356 3.654 25.242 50.322

from a third country (outside EU) in the amount exceeding 1,000 EUR should also by declared. Public Holiday in Slovakia On public holidays, most of government services, banks and schools and closed. As for most shops, opening hours hours.
January 1 January 6 March or April May 1 May 8 July 5 August 29 September 1 September 15 November 1 November 17 December 24 December 25 December 26 New Years Day, Independence Day Epiphany Good Friday and Easter Monday Labour Day Victory over Fascism Day St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day Slovak National Uprising Day (SNP) Constitutional Day Our Lady of Seven Sorrows All Saints Day Day of Struggle for Liberty and Democracy Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day

are reduced for all small shops. Big shopping

centers are usually open without change in opening

Exchange Rates Ticket Valid since June 2007 (www.nbs.sk)

Stone Age: The first recorded tribes to settle on the territory of modern Slovakia were Celtic (from around 450 B.C.), whose culture represented the pinnacle of barbarian civilization. The remains of Celtic oppida (fortified settlements) can be found in Bratislava or Devin. The Celts were forced out by the Germanic tribes of Marcomans which fougnt with the Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus (166 180 A.D.). Remains of the Limes Romanus the fortifications on the Roman Empires northern border are preserved in Slovakia. The German tribes were driven out by Huns led by Atila. Tribes of Western Slavs arrived on this territory at the end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th centuries. Soon they had to defend themselves against nomadic Avars and this activity led to the creation of tribunal union under the rule of the Frankish merchant Samo, known as Sano s Empire (623 658 A.D.) Early Middle Ages: After the break-up of Samos Empire Slavonic tribes enjoyed no political unity. Only Duke Pribina succeeded in establishing a larger state-like entity and founded the first church in this area between 824 and 828. He fought and was defeated by Mojmir, the Duke of Morava. Duke Mojmir I. established a united state called Great Moravia (830 908). His successor, Rastislav, invited the missionaries Sts. Cyril and Methodius to Great Moravia. They established an independent church province, developed the first Slavic alphabet (Glagol) using Greek symbols, and used it to translate the bible into vernacular. The most important ruler of Great Moravia was Svtopluk who battled with the East Frankish Empire. Great Moravia disintegrated after its invasion by Magyar tribes and the successes of the East Frankish Empire. The Magyar tribes established a Hungarian Empire in the Danube area and the territory of present Slovakia was absorbed around 1000 A.D. Developed Middle Ages: The development of the Hungarian Empire was interrupted by the Tatar invasion (1240 1242). After the Tatars left, Belo IV invited Saxons to come and live in Hungary, which significantly strengthened urban civilization. After the male line of the Arpad dynasty died out in 1301, Charles Robert of Anjou became king in 1308 and established the Anjou dynasty, which was followed by the Jagello dynasty in 1440. The period of humanism and renaissance on the Hungarian Empire is forever linked to the name of its ruler, Matthias Corvinus (1458 1490). The first university on the territory of presentday Slovakia, Academia Istropolitana (1465 1491), was established in Bratislava during his rule. An important historic moment for the development of the country was the defeat and the killing of King Loius II by the Turks at the battle near Mohacs in 1526. Habsburg dynasty assumed the Hungarian throne. The territory of Slovakia become the administrative and economic center of the Hungarian Empire and Bratislava was the coronation site of many Hungarian kings.

Modern Times: The 18th century saw the development of manufacturing and the modernization of mining technology. In 1770, the enlightened, absolutists ruler, Maria Theresa, established the first school of mining in the world the Mining Academy in Bansk tiavnica. In 1774, she also introduce compulsory school attendance. The Slovak national consciousness was rekindled in the 18th and 19th centuries, a Slovak civil society began to emerge. The first written form of the Slovak language was codified in 1847, and the first political programme was proclaimed in 1848. In 1861 the Memorandum of the Slovak Nation was published and
th

in

1863
th

Matica

slovensk

was

established to promote the Slovak nation. The late 19 and early 20 centuries were marked by the struggle against Hungarian nationalist tendencies, culminating in the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic. Present times: Czechoslovakia was established with the end of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918. The period of prosperity of the newly established republic followed until the world's economic crisis and the later advent of the Nazism. In 1939, Slovakia was de iure proclaimed autonomous. Its independence, however, was greatly limited by its strong economic, military and political dependence on Germany. The Slovak National Uprising during the World War II, in 1944, was a clear indication of the countrys opposition to Nazism. In 1945 the Czech and Slovakia states joined again. In 1948 a communistic putsch took place so called February Revolution. The 1950s in Czechoslovakia were a period of political oppression, characterized prominent by the victimization of political, cultural and religious individuals and even of ordinary people. In 1968,

Alexander Dubek (the then leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia) introduced the policy known as socialism with a human face that ended with the Prague Spring and the consequent crushing of the reformist movement by the Soviet Army. The period of normalization lasted until the end of 70s. The normalization regime plunged Czechoslovakia into an economic, political and moral decline. It was succeeded by the democratic socialism in 1980s. Nevertheless, opposition towards the regime grew and during the late 80s it became more intense and organized. It led to the overthrow of the communist government in November 1989 referred to as the Velvet Revolution. On January 1, 1993 the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic was peacefully divided into two independent Slovak and Czech states and the Slovak Republic joined the United Nations as a fullyfledged member. In October 1993 the European Parliament ratified the association agreement between the Slovak Republic and the European Union. In spring 2004, the Slovak Republic joined NATO and on May 1, 2004 the Slovak Republic joined European Union as a full member.

POLICE
Municipal police

112 (158)
159

MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Emergency departments

112 (155)
02/ 59 37 17 77 02/ 59 54 11 11 02/ 44 33 24 09

- for children Policlinic Kramre, Limbova 1 - for adults Policlinic Kramre, Limbova 5 - for adults Policlinic Ruinov, Ruinovsk 10

Pharmacies open 24/24 - VITALITA, Lie dolie 57 02/65 42 59 62 - POD MANDERLOM, Nm. SNP 20 02/ 54 43 29 52

FIRE DEPARTMENT
ASA road assistance CAR POUND BUS SCHEDULES TRAIN SCHEDULES TOURIST INDORMATION THEATRE AND MOVIE SCHEDULES TV SCHEDULES WATER PUBLIC LIGHTING ELECTRICITY (power outage) GAS (leaks) DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE (Slovakia)

112 (150)
154; 18 124 02/ 54 41 82 20 09 84 22 22 22 02/ 50 58 75 65 02/ 54 43 37 15; 16 186 16 956 16 983 02/62 31 00 82 02/ 63 81 01 51 02/ 50 61 22 46 02/ 53 41 19 02 1181 12 149 12 110

DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE (International) EXACT TIME

Slovak is the official language and belongs to the West Slavic subgroup of the Indo-European languages family and uses the Roman scripts. It does not differ significantly from Czech, and comprehension in both languages is rather common. The majority of the population speaks Slovak as their mother tongue. The second most mother tongue is Hungarian. The most widely spoken foreign languages are English, German, widely spoken

Russian, Hungarian and French. The young urban population is generally considered to be most linguistically proficient. In big shopping centers, most banks and tourist places you can use English, German of French language. In small shops, post offices, small cinemas or public services people will not be able to help you in other than Slovak language. So, lets start learning Slovak! You will find a small glossary in every following section of this brochure for a little help. Improving your Slovak: Foreigners can attend courses of Slovak language at several language schools that provide instructions at the levels of language proficiency: beginner, intermediate, advanced. They offer group instruction of individual courses tailored to the clients individual needs. The courses are aimed at mastering all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The courses are usually held twice a week, 2 standard lessons (90 minutes in total) per day. Where to learn Slovak in Bratislava Caledonian School Eurolingua Berlitz Comenius University Slovak Academy of Science Private teacher Katarina Kachnicova Private teacher Ivana Kompasova www.caledonianschool.sk www.eurolingua.sk (only in Slovak) www.berlitz.com www.ujop.sk www.inja.sav.sk 0904 363 410 (cell phone) 0904 204 465 (cell phone)

USEFUL GLOSSARY
School Language Foreign language English German French Understand Speak kola jazyk cudz jazyk Anglitina Nemina Francztina rozumie hovori

The legal regulations for entering Slovakia are different for nationals of the European Union/European Economic Area and for third countries nationals. The regulations governing the stay of foreigners in Slovakia are stated by the Act on Stay of Aliens (Act No. 48/2002, recently amended by Act No. 558/2005 and Act No. 693/2006). TYPES OF STAY Short-term visit - maximum 90 days for nationals of the European Union/ European Economic Area without visa and no other permit required. Long-term stay - for a period longer than 90 days or to do business, employment, studies, specific program activities, or family reunion a foreigner must obtain a permit for temporary residence. EU CITIZENS and RESIDENCY PERMITS A citizen of the European Union/ European Economic Area and Switzerland does not need a visa for entering the Slovak Republic. He / she is required to prove his / her identity at the border with a valid travel document (passport or ID card). Since the entry of Slovakia into the European Union, the procedure has been significantly simplified for EU citizens. In principle, no residency permit is required for an EU citizen to settle in Slovakia. If you intend to work, your future HR department must simply notify the Labour Office. In addition, a residency permit is required to register with a Slovak health insurance company, the Social Security office, as well as for tax purposes. To apply for your residency permit, you will need to go in person to the Foreign Police. There is one office responsible for whole Bratislava area. You will have to fill in a simple application form, submit two passport size photographs (3 x 3.5 cm) and pay 50 SK official stamp fee. The Foreign Police will issue a confirmation of your application and within 30 days, you will be able to pick up your ID card in person. NON-EU CITIZENS and RESIDENCY PERMITS For non-EU citizens there are two types of permits: temporary residency permit and permanent residency permit. Temporary residency permit Citizens of countries for which a visa is required must fill their application at the Slovak Embassy in their home country. Residency permits are issued for the purpose of employment, business and family reunification. For those planning to be employed in Slovakia, the first step is to apply for a work permit. But a work permit alone does not enable a non-EU citizen to work in Slovakia. You will have to apply for a residency permit. Temporary residency permit may be issued for the period of necessary for achieving the purpose, but at maximum for two years.
If a person coming to Slovakia for a employment or business purposes intends to bring his/her family along, a residency permit must be obtained for each family member. In addition to the documents, birth certificates (for children) and marriage certificate (for the spouse) will have to be filed together with the application.

For the residency permit, the following documents will have to be filed together with the application: passport 3 photographs (3 x 3.5 cm) depending on the purpose of your stay: work permit, excerpt from the Commercial register, or trade license proof of financial funds proof of medical insurance housing confirmation excerpt from the land registry office (property title) health examination (to be performed in Slovakia) criminal record from home country AND from Slovakia a stamp fee of 5,000 SK Permanent residency permit After residing in Slovakia for five years with a temporary residency permit (validly renewed year after year), non-EU citizens may apply for permanent residency. Such permission, when granted, is initially valid for a period of five years. It can be extended for a further period of ten years. The application must be filled at the Foreign Police, together with supporting documents (essentially the same documents as those required for a temporary residency permit). For non-EU citizens residing in Slovakia on a longer-term basis, there are advantages to obtaining a permanent residency permit. There is no need to renew the permit every year, employment may be changed without the need to apply for a new work permit and others. CITIZENSHIP Two most common ways foreigners may acquire Slovak citizenship: by marrying a Slovak citizen or maintaining permanent residency in Slovakia. For the latter ground, five years of permanent residency is required, as well as the ability to speak Slovak and a clean criminal record. Application for citizenship must be filled with the regional office.

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Foreigner Foreign Police Residency permit Permission Application Passport ID cudzinec Cudzineck polcia povolenie na pobyt povolenie iados cestovn pas legitimcia

Employment relations in Slovakia are regulated by the Labour Code (Act No. 311/2001 of Law Code). EU CITIZENS and WORK PERMIT Citizens of the European Union/ European Economic Area States can be employed on the territory of the Slovak Republic on the same terms as Slovak nationals. NON-EU CITIZENS and WORK PERMIT In general, if an foreigner whishes to be employed on the territory of the Slovak Republic, prior to his/her arrival to the territory of the Slovak Republic he/she must apply (in person or by means of the future employer) for a work permit at the Labour Office according to the territorial competence where the foreigner is to perform the employment. The form Work Permit Application that the Office provides to a foreigner shall also contain the written Employers Promise to Employ a Foreigner. The employer shall confirm by its signature and stamp that after obtaining the work permit it shall employ the foreigner. The application is documented also by the verified copy of the certificate of the achieved education level translated into Slovak language. If the foreigner wishes the application to be submitted by the future employer, the application must be supplemented with the written consent to such a procedure for the submission of the application, this with the verification of the authenticity of the foreigner s signature under the legal regulation of the home state, or according to the generally binding legal regulations of the Slovak Republic. The work permit should be issued by the relevant district labour office within 30 days following the application recipient. The Office issues the work permit with a one-year validity most and it may be renewed. If the Office grants the work permit, the foreigner shall submit not be older than 3 months. The application for a work permit is submitted to the Labour Office. The following documents must be submitted together with the application: copy of your passport certification of education employment confirmation report on the vacant position excerpt form the Commercial Register for the Slovak company employing you statement of reasons why the position should be filled by a foreigner the permit obtained as a document supporting the application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment. The work permit must

During your stay in Slovakia remember! Slovak legislation requires that you carry some ID documents at all times For EU citizens these are> For non-EU citizens> passport or residence permit passport

RELEVANT CONTACTS
Foreign Police Cudzineck polcia Hrobkova 44, 854 02 Bratislava Telephone No. 0961 031 265 Hours: Monday 7.00 to 12.00; 13.00 to 15.00 Wednesday 7.00 to 12.00; 13.00 to 17.00 Friday 7.00 12.00 Labour Office rad Ministerstva prce, socilnych vec a rodiny Vazovova 7/A, 811 07 Bratislava Telephone No. 02/ 5057 2909 Hours: Monday Tuesday Thursday Wednesday - 8.30 to 16.30 Health Examination Oddelenie cudzokrajnch chorb FNsP Americk nmestie 3, 811 07 Bratislava Telephone No. 02/ 5296 2732 Hours: Monday to Friday 7.00 to 15.30 - 8.00 to 15.00

Slovak Criminal Records Register trestov Generlnej prokuratry SR Kvetn 13, 814 23 Bratislava Telephone No. 02/ 5541 0817, 5021 6133 Hours: Monday - 9.00 to 12.00; 13.00 to 18.00 Tuesday to Friday - 7.30 to 12.00; 13.00 to 15.00

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Employer Employee Employement Work Labour Office Work Permit zamestnvate zamestnanec zamestnanie prca rad prce pracovn povolenie

SHORT-TERM ACCOMODATION Most hotels targeting business clients offer special rates for longer stays. However, the price is still high. At the end of this section you can find a list of hotels in centre of Bratislava and near Habitat office. Another option is to rent a furnished apartment in Bratislavas Old Town with a short-term lease. You can use Internet services: BRATISLAVA APARTMENTS range www.bratislava-apartments.com APARTMENTS Zahorska Bystrica, 100 m2 cca. / 1200 Euro/month Lendelreality, 0911-70 70 60 www.lendelreality.sk Slovenska zdravotnicka univerzita, Limbova 12 / small apartman 30 Euro/night www.szu.sk www.awe-apartments.com LONG-TERM ACCOMODATION The Slovak real estate market is very heterogeneous. You can find houses in the same neighborhood in markedly different price ranges. Its worth remembering that, wherever you live in Bratislava, you are never more than 30-minute drive from the city center. if you do not have a car, you will find that the citys public transit system is quiet reliable (see the section traveling inside Bratislava). To help you find a apartment you will find a list of real estate agencies in Bratislava at the end of this section. Choosing a location in Bratislava Bratislava has 5 districts. Below are few hints for you about each district.
Bratislava I Covers neighborhoods in the very center of the city (Old Town, Palisdy, Horsk Park). Is the most popular district with expatriates. Property is highly valued here, but with some luck, you may find a reasonably-prices accommodation. Parking can be a problem in the Old Town. Bratislava II Covers area Nov Mesto, Ruinov and Vrakua. It is a fast-growing district with many new apartments, big shopping centers and sport facilities. Bratislava III The district covers areas north and north-east of the city (Kramre, Koliba, Raa). While Raa has mainly apartments to offer, Kramre and Koliba are neighborhoods with family houses. You will find the largest hospital complex in Slovakia in Kramre and also French school is located here. Bratislava IV This district includes Karlova Ves, Dbravka and Lama. It offers apartments and houses in all price ranges. Both the American and British international schools are located in this district. You will find here also The Bratislava Zoo and the Slovak television studios. Bratislava V Located on the right bank of the Danube, Petralka is one of the newest districts of Bratislava. There are very few houses here, but a lots of blocks or apartments buildings. Older apartments in the part of the city are amongst the cheapest in town. On this side of the rive are located big shopping centers, Incheba exhibition center and Sad Janka Kra - Bratislavas largest city park.

HOTELS
Some hotels in the center: Hotel Michalsk Brna Adress: Web: Batov 4 www.michalskabrana.sk Telephone: 02/ 593 07 200 Old City Hotel Adress: Telephone: Web: Hotel Ibis Adress: Zmock 38 Telephone: 02/ 5929 2000 Web: www.ibis-bratislava.sk Hotel Kyjev Adress: Rajsk 2 Telephone: 02/ 5964 1111 Web: www.kyjev-hotel.sk Michalsk 2 02/ 5464 8304

Hotel Tatra Adress: Nmestie 1. mja 5 Telephone: 02/ 5927 2123 Web: www.hoteltatra.sk Botel Gracia Adress: Rzusovo nbreie Telephone: 02/ 544 32 132 Web: www.botel-gracia.sk For more hotels see www.bratislavahotels.sk.

Traveling inside Bratislava

Inside Bratislava you can use car or public transport to move from one place to another. CAR A driving license issued on another state authorizes the holder, when in the Slovak Republic, to drive motor vehicles of the categories indicated in it, provided that the driving license meets the conditions given in the International Convention on Road Traffic. If a driving license issued in another state does not meet these requirements, the foreign national may only drive a motor vehicle if he/she is the holder of a valid international driving license. The age limit for driving in Slovakia is 18 years. Seat belts are compulsory. The current traffic regulations are the same as in other European countries. The use of a mobile phone is forbidden while driving. All accident s must be reported to the police. Its prohibited to drink any amount of alcohol before or while driving. No level of alcohol in the blood is tolerated. Speed limit is 60 km/h (30 mph).

Your own car

No special requirements apply to importing a car from an EU country. When crossing the border upon entry, the owner of a vehicle must submit the requisite vehicle documents (i.e. registration document, driving license, vehicle insurance certificate). If a foreign national has a permanent residence on the territory of the Slovak Republic and owns a motor vehicle registered abroad, he/she is obliged to register it with the competent authority for his/her place of residence within 30 days. Only cars produced in the year 1998 and after can be import.

Buying new car

If a foreign national, during residence on the territory of SR, buys a motor vehicle, he/she is obliged to register it with the competent authority for his/her place of residence. Before permanently leaving the territory of SR, a foreign national is obliged to report to the competent authority for his/her place of residence any motor vehicle purchased and registered while in residence on the territory of SR.

Renting a car
To rent a car in Slovakia, you will need: to be at least 21 years of age (for some categories of cars at some rental agencies you may be required to be at least 23 or even 25 years old) to hold a drivers license for more than one year a valid drivers license a passport a major credit card Rental prices are quiet high compared to Western Europe. At the end of this section you will find a list of some rental car agencies in Bratislava.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT YOU MUST KEEP WITH YOU IN THE CAR Driving license Insurance certificate Technical and anti-pollution controls First aid kit Reflection triangle Reflection vest FUEL and PETROL STATIONS Petrol stations in Bratislava are easy to find except in the most remote areas. They are usually open 24 hours daily. Most of these are operated by Europeans largest petroleum companies and are well-stocked. They sell diesel and non-leaded petrol, Super Plus 98, Super 95-Natural, Tempo Plus 98, Normal 21, etc. For older vehicles the non-leaded petrol with special additives replacing lead are available. Almost all petrol station also sell drinks and snacks. Toilet facilities tend to be quiet acceptable, and larger stations (mostly outside city) offer showers. In all big petrol station you can pay with credit card. PARKING Parking in Bratislava can be problematic if you are not willing to pay for it. Many of spots are private or reserved (they are marked by a painted white X on the pavement or a blue sign with the word RESERVE or a system of metal protection bars is installed). In Bratislava s centre, you have to pay to park on most streets Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 16:00. You must buy a parking card and display it on your dashboard. The cost is 10 Sk per hour. You must buy and fill a new card for each hour. You can buy parking cards from the people wearing a yellow sleeveless jacket or in newsstands. If you have no time to waste you can use parking garage or parking lot. Price vary depending on days of the week and hours of the day. Parking in a garage is generally more expensive than parking on an outside lot. You can find main parking garages and lots in central Bratislava on the web side linked below: www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=75757&p1=192620 ACCIDENT and BRAKEDOWN SERVICE If you have an accident you must call the police. Do not move your car before the police arrive. If you have a breakdown call 24-hour the Autoklub Slovakia Assistance 18 124. The operator speaks English and German.

CAR RENTAL IN BRATISLAVA Avis Rent a Car, a.s. Adress: Web: Hertz Adress: Web: TAXI There are more than 15 different taxi companies in Bratislava. After entering the taxi make that the meter is switched on, especially if you take a taxi from the train or bus station and do not speak Slovak. A taxi remains a cheap way of getting around Bratislava. It is always cheaper to order a taxi by phone than to hail one on the street or take one from a taxi stand. You can leave a small tip to the driver, usually by rounding up the amount. Here is a list of taxi companies , where operators usually speaks English: Ladytaxi: 02/16011 V.I.P. taxi: 02/16000 or 0905-301 111 AAA EURO TAXIS: 02/ 16 022 Yellow taxi: 02/ 4444 1111 If you want to take a taxi to Vienna airport, you can call: Stanislav Chmelk: 0903 234 751 Zdeno Lika: 0903 725 888 Roavsk 24 www.hertz.sk Telephone: 02/ 4364 0562 Bajkalsk 31 www.avis.sk Telephone: 02/ 5341 6111 Europcar Adress: Telephone: Web: B.O.F. Adress: Telephone: Web: Miletiova 1 02/ 5557 1012 www.bofcar.sk/index_en.html Vajnorsk 160 02/ 4926 2637 www.europcar.sk

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Car Motor vehicle Drivers license Insurance Rent Rental car agency Petrol station Car accident auto, automobil motorov vozidlo vodisk preukaz poistenie prenaja autopoiova erpacia stanica / pumpa autonehoda

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Bratislava has a good network of public transportation routes with regular service. You will find the timetable posted at each stop along the line. Public transportation is provided by 78 bus lines, 13 tramway lines and 13 trolleybus lines. Most lines operates from 5.00 to 23.00. Between 23.00 and 5.00, transportation is ensured by the night lines. To use public transport you need to buy the tickets in advanced, from newspaper stands or at sales point of Bratislava public transportation service. At some stations there are ticket vending machines, which only accept coins. You buy your tickets according to the time it takes to get to your destination. You can change modes of transportation and use the same ticket as long as you do not exceed the time indicated on your ticket. There are tickets for 10 minutes for 14 Sk, 30 minutes for 18 Sk, and 60 minutes for 22 Sk. If you travel with a piece of luggage or a dog, you must buy a special ticket. If you need to travel regularly by public transportation, the best solution is to buy a monthly pass or a 3-month pass. Once on the bus you have to validated your ticket by inserting it in the small slot on the side of the red punching machine. The time will get stamped on it, so you can see when it end up. There are two time zones in Bratislava for the public transportation. If you are traveling to the distant city parts (such as Raa or Dbravka) you have to have another ticket to the second time zone. All information about public transportation are available also in English at the web page www.imhd.sk.

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Public Transportation Bus Trolleybus Tram Line Ticket Season ticket/pass mestsk doprava autobus trolejbus elektrika linka lstok elektrienka

Traveling outside Bratislava

CAR Bratislava is linked to an international network of roads and highways through: highway E65 to the Czech Republic highway D-2 to Hungary international roads E75 (coming from Austria, passes through Slovakia to Poland and the Ukraine) airport). Speed limits: On a motorway 130 km/h (80 mph) On a motorway in build-up area 80 km/h (49 mph) On a open road 90 km/h (55 mph) For the motorways, your automobile must have a motorway sticker valid in the given calendar year. They are available at the boarder crossings, petrol stations and post offices. The sticker must be placed on the right-hand side of windscreen and you must always have the second part of the sticker with you and show it to the police officer upon request. Prices of toll stickers as of January, 1 2007 for motor vehicles up to 3.5 t of weight: 7-day motorway sticker 150 Sk (4.2 EUR) 1-month motorway sticker 300 Sk (8.5 EUR) 1-year motorway sticker 1,100 Sk (31 EUR) and E58 (which links, in particular, Bratislava to Schwechat, Viennas international

PLANE Travel by plane within the country is comfortable. There are 6 airports in Slovakia, but only Bratislava has international airport Letisko Milana Rastislava tefnika. All information can be found at the web page www.airportbratislava.sk (also in English). Thanks to the short distance of Vienna and Bratislava it is also possible to use Viennas Schwechat International airport (see www.viennaairport.com).

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Car Highway, Motorway Motorway sticker Plane Airport auto, automobil dianica dianin nlepka lietadlo letisko

TRAIN Trains in the Slovakia are the safest and most agreeable way to travel. There exist basically 6 different types of train: Os Passenger train (in Slovak Osobn vlak)
Zr Accelerated train (in Slovak zrchlen vlak) R Fast train (in Slovak rchlik) Ex Express IC Intercity EC Eurocity

The web side of Slovak Railways www.slovakrail.sk provide information on time schedule, prices, duration and whether you have to switch the trains at any point. Tickets can be bought at the train station ticket office reading KVC. To guarantee a seat, it is possible to buy a seat reservation. It is also possible to buy ticket on-line at the website www.slovakrail.sk. BUS While the trains are more comfortable, coaches are sometimes more direct, they connect most of towns and villages, and are reliable and satisfactory. When traveling by coach within Slovakia, ticket can be bought when boarding. It is possible to buy a ticket with a seat reservation for longdistance coaches at the ticket office of any main bus station. The web site www.cp.sk provide a complex travel itinerary. First you have to choose the means of transport (picture 1) and then from where (city) to where (city) you want to travel (picture 2):

train bus

plane

combination

From where Where Through Date Time

Search

INTERNATIONAL BUS For international bus travel you can buy tickets at the ticket office, travel agency or from Eurolines (www.eurolines.sk) which provide passage to several European cities. It is also possible to buy a ticket online at the website above. BOAT There are regular boat lines from Bratislavas international port to Vienna and to Budapest. It is also possible to go on cruises to Devin, Hainburg or Gabkovo. For detail information, consult following website: www.twincityliner.com (Vienna Bratislava) or www.lod.sk (Budapest Bratislava), both available in English or German.

BICYCLE Bratislava is no a cyclist-friendly city. There are no reserved paths, car drivers are not used to sharing the road with cyclists, and it is difficult to find a safe place to lock your bike. But around Bratislava there are several cycling paths. You can find more on website www.cyklotrasy.sk (available in English, German and Hungarian).

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Traveling Train Bus Station Boat Port International Ticket Seat Reservation Departure Arrival Late Luggage Bicycle Cycling path cestovanie vlak autobus stanica lo prstav medzinrodn lstok miestenka prchod odchod mekanie batoina bicykel cyklistick chodnk

POSTAL SERVICES At Slovak post office you can pay your utility bills, receive cash on delivery consignments, buy lottery tickets, get film developed, receive payments, make phone calls and buy phone cards, buy mobile phone cards, buy the motorway sticker and of course send telegrams and mail. For incoming package and money orders you have to have your passport with you. For more information check out the website www.posta.sk. GETTING THE INTERNET CONNECTED There are several ways to be connected to Internet. You can use your phone wire, cable-TV connection, microwave connection, mobile phone, or direct fixed Internet connection. Internet providers: UPC Broadband Slovakia, s.r.o. www.upc.sk or www.chello.sk Slovanet www.slovanet.sk T-com www.t-com.sk You can use also widespread Internet Cafes. Bratislava has launched a pilot project of providing internet access in the city center. There are three PC terminals connected to the internet (see www.bkis.sk). There are also available wireless internet hotspots. You can connect with your notebook equipped with wireless internet access card at Primatial Square, Main Square and Frantiknske Square free of charge. GETTING THE PHONE CONNECTED IDD (International Direct Dialing) is available. The country code is 00-421. For calls in the Slovak Republic consult a list of area codes for the appropriate region which can be found on http://telefonny.zoznam.sk (only in Slovak, you have to look for Smerov telefnne sla). All numbers in the world can be dialed directly with international area (country) code. Phone Operator Slovak Telecom www.st.sk Mobile Phone operators: Orange www.orange.sk T-Mobile www.t-mobile.sk O2 www.sk.o2.com

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Postal Service Mail Package Check Internet connection Telephone Phone Call pota zsielka, list balk ek internetov pripojenie telefn telefonick hovor

RESTAURANTS For list of restaurants visit www.greenpages.sk For daily menu visit www.menu.sk or www.obedovat.sk For pubs visit www.kamnapivo.sk

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Restaurant Waiter Tip Bill Food retaurcia ank prepitn et jedlo

Shopping hours Small shops are open from Monday to Friday 9.00 18.00, till noon on Saturday and are closed on Sundays. Big shops, shopping malls, supermarkets and hypermarkets are open 7 days a week usually till 21.00. Grocery You can buy grocery at small grocery shops or at big hyper- or supermarkets, such as Tesco, Terno, Billa or Hypernova. There are 3 Tesco stores in Bratislava open 24/7 (in Petralka Pannska cesta 25, Lama Lamask cesta 1C and Zlat piesky Cesta na Senec). Big shopping centers Usually you find everything you need under one roof AVION SHOPPING PARK www.avion.sk (Ivnska cesta 12, oposit IKEA) You can find here fashion shops, flowers, candles, pet supplies, hypermarket, banks, telephone operators, appliance store, shoe repair and key cutting, dry cleaner and a food court, . AUPARK www.aupark.sk (Einsteinova 18, Petralka) You can find here fashion shops, flowers, decoration, gifts, drugstore, accessories for the house, supermarket, banks, post office, dry cleaner, pharmacy, hair salon, Ticket Portal (where you can buy concert tickets), telephone operators, childrens corner, multiplex cinema, fitness, billiard, bowling, casino, food court, . POLUS CITY CENTER www.poluscitycenter.sk (Vajnorsk 100, Nov Mesto) You can find here fashion shops, cosmetics, drugstore, flowers, gifts, accessories for the house, hypermarket, appliance store, pharmacy, hair salons, banks, post office, shoe repair and key cutting, dry cleaner, solarium, Ticket Portal, casino, multiplex cinemas, food court, PALACE SHOPPING PARK www.shoppingpalace.sk (Cesta na Senec, near lake Zlat Piesky) You can find here hypermarket, fashion shops, pharmacy, opticians, ophthalmologist, hair salon, solarium, banks, shoe repair, key cutting, telephone operators, dry cleaner, childrens corner, billiard club, gambling machines, food court, Shopping centers DANUBIA www.oc-danubia.sk (Pannska cesta 16, Petralka) TATRACENTRUM www.tatracentrum.sk (Hodovo nmestie 4 city center) DUNAJ (Nmestie SNP city center) APOLLO BUSINESS CENTER www.apollobc.sk (Mlynsk Nivy 45 near bus station)

Furniture ATRIUM www.atrium.sk (Einsteinova 9 opposite Aupark) SORIAVIA INTERIER www.interier.sk (Roavsk 28) IKEA www.ikea.sk (Ivnska cesta 18 opposit Avion Shopping park) Shopping for the house BAUMAX www.baumax.sk (Bajkalsk, Roavks, Lieskovsk cesta) ENTO www.ento.sk (Turbnov 1, Budatnska 1/A, ajkovskho 4) HORNBACH www.hornbach.sk (Galvaniho 9) TPD www.tpd.sk (Petralka) On-line shopping There is also a possibility of on-line shopping, however, the relevant websites are only in Slovak. Clothes, shoes, electronics, home equipment www.quelle.sk www.neckerman.sk Books, videos, DVDs and CDs www.alterego.sk www.dunaj.sk Computer accessories www.exeshop.sk www.pc-shop.sk Stationery and drugstore www.regina.sk Shopping Shop Open Closed Grocery, food Shopping Center Clothing Shoes Shoes repair Flowers Pharmacy Dry cleaner Gifts Bank Furniture Home equipment

USEFUL GLOSSARY
nakupovanie obchod otvoren zatvoren potraviny nkupn centrum obleenie topnky oprava obuvi kvety, kvetinrstvo lekre istiare dareky banka nbytok zariadenie domcnosti

TV, RADIO Slovakia has 4 TV stations: STV 1 Slovak Television - www.stv.sk STV 2 Slovak Television TA3 News channel (like CNN) www.ta3.com TV MARKIZA Commercial TV Station www.markiza.sk TV JOJ Commercial TV station www.joj.sk THEATRE, OPERA, BALLET The list of theatres with addresses can be found at www.theatres.sk The Slovak National Theatre www.snd.sk Nov Scna is a theatre specializing in musical repertory www.nova-scena.sk CINEMAS There are several small cinemas in the city and also some Film clubs. There are multiplex cinemas at Aupark (www.palacecinemas.sk) and in Polus shopping center (www.istropoliscinemacenter.sk). Most films bear the original soundtrack with subtitles. Cinema programs are published in newspaper. SPORT In Slovakia there is wide range of facilities for summer sports. The most popular are cycling, water sports and hiking. Canoeing is very popular among young people, many Slovak rivers are navigable. Horse riding is becoming more popular. Another very popular activity is camping or renting cottages and hiking in the mountains. For those who prefer green lawns and white sports dress there are many possibilities to play tennis at tennis clubs or golf. For more information on summer sports visit www.holidayinfo.sk, http://rivers.raft.cz/slovensko. Thanks to the mountainous nature, the country offers great opportunities for the downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowboarding. Ice hockey and ice skating are very popular sports that can be practiced in closed stadiums, as well as outdoors. For more information on winter sports check out www.ski.sk, www.yeti.sk, www.holidayinfo.sk. Sports centers offer opportunities for fitness, aerobic and squash. These centers are often equipped with saunas, solaria, masseurs and also body care services, such as cosmetics and pedicure facilities. For more information visit websites: www.golemclub.sk, www.sportslovakia.sk, www.zoracentrum.sk, and you will find also a list of fitness centers on www.greenpages.sk. In shopping centers you can also find bowling.

PUBS and BARS There are many pubs in the city center. Some are more expensive, but usually the prices are at the same level. You can find a list of them at www.kamnapivo.sk or www.menu.sk.

USEFUL GLOSSARY
Television Radio Theatre Opera Ballet Cinema Sport Horse riding Hiking Hockey Skiing Skating Stadium Sport Center televzia rdio divadlo opera balet kino port jazda na koni turistika hokej lyovanie koruovanie tadin portov stredisko

Recommended English speaking General Practitioners Please find attached a short list of recommended English speaking General practitioners in Bratislava. Once you need their help feel free to contact by phone first and make an appointment. A Sante - Private medical center - http://www.asante.sk/sp_index.html Address: Mytna 5, 811 07 Bratislava Tel: 02/57786221, 57 78 62 22 General Practitioner: Dr Halcakova 5778 6525, 517 Top-Med, a.s. private medical center MUDr. Marta Kostkova Milosrdni, Nam SNP 10, Sekcia Pavol, room# 261 814 65 Bratislava Tel: 02/5788 7261 Cell phone: 0905-974 382 MUDr. Kuzelova Military Hospital, Cesta na erven most 1, 833 31 Bratislava Tel: 0905-882475 (8:00 16:00) Preventive center OUSA, Institute of Oncology - www.ousa.sk Address: Heydukova 10, 812 50 Bratislava MUDr. Marcela Takacsova (Engl, German) Tel: (02) 5924 9463, Information: 02/ 59249463 450, Reception: 02/ 59249 111 Pro Sanus, s.r.o. Private medical center - www.prosanus.sk Address: Daxnerovo nmestie 3, 821 08 Bratislava Tel: 02/ 5020 7511, 2, 3 General Practitioner: MUDr. Olejnikova Gyneacologist: MUDr. Gavornikova, MUDr Gazo Stomatologist: MUDr Galisova Oftalmologist: MUDr. Sovikova Hospital of Ministry of Interior -http://www.nspmvsr.sk/l/sk/ Address: Fraa Krla 11, Bratislava Tel: 02/ 5094 1111 English speaking GP: MUDr. Vladimir Randus Tel: 02/ 5094 6808 (8:30 12:30)

Pro Bios Address: Ruzova dolina 21, Bratislava 821 09 Tel: 02/ 5556 7431, 02/ 5556 6134, 0903 719767 General practitioner: MUDr. Marinicova (02)55566138; email: rodinnylekar@probios.sk Gyneacologist (MUDr. Smolik: probios.gynekologia@probios.sk), Optitioner: ocan@probios.sk Medifera - www.medifera.sk Address: turova, Bratislava Tel: 02/ 5720 0911; 5720 0922 English speaking GP: MUDr. Prekopova, MUDr. Daniela Hatalova (+German), MUDr. Eva Smiskova, MUDr Igor Vozar 5720 0977 pediatrician MUDr. Tibor Hlavaty Tel: 02/ 5249 5039 Cell Phone: 0905 617 721 e-mail: hlavatyt@nextra.sk, web page: www.hlavaty.net Address: Mytna 5, 811 07 Bratislava MUDr. Peter LIPTAK Tel: 02/ 5788 7258 Cell Phone: 0903 440 016 Address: Merciful Brothers Hospital (Milosrdni), Nam SNP 10814 65 Bratislava MUDr. Eva DURECHOVA Cell Phone: 0903 559 503 Address: Centrum zdravia, Nam sv. Frantiska, Karlova Ves, Bratislava

Recommended English speaking Private Dentists: Apollo Dental Care MUDr. Aneta Hrenovcikova Apollo Business Center (office is on the ground floor), Prievozska 2, 821 09 Bratislava Tel: 02-53413998; 0908-980 514 apollodentalcare@mail.t.-com.sk www.apollodentalcare.sk MUDr. Alexander Schill (German, English, Hungarian, appointment to be arranged in advance) Dental Klinik, Bastova 7, 811 03 Bratislava tel: 02-5464 7417 e-mail: schill@schill.sk MUDr. Marek upler Nettna stomatologick ambulancia, Riena 2, 811 02 Bratislava 1 tel: 02/544 303 14, 0903 375 205, 0907 305 039 e-mail: mojzubar@mojzubar.sk MUDr. Robert Czafic, Csz. Zaluzicka 23, 821 01 Bratislava Tel/Fax: 02/ 43332114 MUDr. Jaroslav Brinza (speaks German, appointment to be arranged by phone first) Sancova 42, Bratislava Tel: 02/ 5245 0265 MUDr. Juraj Kalisky (Speaks English) Hospital Mercyful brothers, Nam. SNP (Daily 7:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.) Tel: 02/ 5788 7216 MUDr. Mamoun Al-Zafari (modern facilities, English-speaking dentist) Open: 08:00 - 16:00, Tue 10:00 - 18:00, Thu 11:00 - 19:00, Fri 08:00 - 12:00. Address: Lazaretsk 35 Tel: (+421-2) 52 92 77 29 MUDr. Patrik Gabura (private English-speaking dentist, call for appointment) Address: Bezruov 8 Tel: 0905 / 77 72 22 Open: 09:00 -18:00 (except for Sat., Sun.)

GENERAL INFO ABOUT SLOVAKIA www.slovakia.com www.heartofeurope.co.uk www.cometoslovakia.com www.slovakia.org www.slovensko.com http://slovakia.viasalus.sk www.mfa.sk GENERAL INFO ABOUT BRATISLAVA www.bratislava.sk www.region-bsk.sk www.bkis.sk www.bratislava-city.sk www.bratislavaguide.sk SEARCHING FOR COMPANIES www.greenpages.sk www.zlatestranky.sk ACCOMMODATION www.realityserver.sk www.reality.sk www.hotelwebsite.sk focused on tourism WEATHER FORECAST www.meteo.sk ONLINE MAPS www.mapy.sk www.mapy.zoznam.sk www.supernavigator.sk NEWS IN ENGLISH www.tasr.sk www.slovensko.com/news www.businessslovakia.sk TRAVEL SCHEDULES www.imhd.sk www.cp.sk www.eurolines.sk www.slovakrail.sk

HEALTH www.zzz.sk/?page=lekarne list of pharmacies EMBASSIES www.greenpages.sk/catg_emb.html - list of embassies in Slovak Republic TOURISM www.panorama.sk www.sacr.sk www.travelguide.sk www.tourist-channel.sk www.vysoketatry.com High Tatras PUBLIC SERVICES www.posta.sk Slovak Postal service BANKS www.slsp.sk Slovensk sporitea www.vub.sk Veobecn verov banka www.tatrabanka.sk - Tatrabanka www.pabk.sk -Potov banka www.unibanka.sk - Unibanka www.otpbanka.sk OTP Banka www.csob.sk - SOB banka SCHOOLS www.bis.sk The British International School www.forel.sk Forel International School www.galileoschool.sk Galileo English-Slovak Primary School www.qso.org/SVK/index.html - QSI International School of Bratislava www.eracareers.sk list of bilingual schools LEARN SLOVAK ONLINE www.heartofeurope.co.uk/dictionary.htm - online dictionary with voice http://slovnik.zoznam.sk dictionary English, German, French, Spanish http://babel.redbox.sk dictionary English, German, Russian, Hungarian EATING www.menu.sk www.gurmania.sk

ENTERTAINMENT www.markiza.sk TV Markza www.TA3.com - TV TA3 www.joj.sk TV JOJ www.slovakradio.sk Slovensk rozhlas www.jemnemelodie.sk Rdio Jemn meldie www.chello.sk Internet provider UPC Chello www.slovanet.sk Internet provider Slovanet www.t-mobile.sk mobile operator T-Mobile www.orange.sk mobile operator Orange www.sk.o2.com mobile operator O2 www.t-com.sk Slovak Telecom www.theatre.sk list of theatres www.filharm.sk The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra of Bratislava www.snm.sk The Slovak National Museum www.kamdomesta.sk leisure in Bratislava www.enjoybratislava.sk