Slovakia - Country Information

Film Commissions

Slovak Film Institute
Tel: 2 57 10 15 03 Fax: 2 52 73 32 14
E-mail: info@sfu.sk
Website: www.sfu.sk
General Manager: Peter Dubecky

Permits
For filming, an agreement with the relevant institution must be reached. With this agreement it is possible to obtain a working visa for one month during filming. A work permit is required for a longer period.

General Information

Location: Europe
Local Time: From 30 Mar 08 to 26 Oct 08 GMT +2
From 26 Oct 08 to 29 Mar 09 GMT +1
From 29 Mar 09 to 25 Oct 09 GMT +2
Capital City: Bratislava
Population: 5.4 million
Area: 48,845 square km, 18,859 square miles.
Language(s): Slovak, Czech, German, English, Humgarian (Southern Part only)
Dialling Code: 421
Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 112
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence or International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Slovak Koruna (SKK 1 = 100 Haliers)
Notes: SKK: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000
Coins: SKK: 1, 2, 5, 10. Haliers: 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1700 Mon-Fri
Office: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0900-1800 Mon-Fri, 0900-1200 Sat (some large supermarkets open on Sun)

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Year's Day and Independence Day of the Slovak Republic, Jan 6 Epiphany, Mar 21 Good Friday, Mar 24 Easter Monday, May 1 Labour Day, May 8 Victory Day, Jul 5 Festival of St Cyril & Method, Aug 29 Slovak National Uprising, Sep 1 Constitution Day, Sep 15 Our Lady of Sorrows, Nov 1 All Saints Day, Nov 17 Fight for Freedom & Democracy Day, Dec 24 Christmas Eve, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 St. Stephens Day

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Slovak, many executives speak a second language English, German or Russian. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: Around 10% in hotels & restaurants

Health

Reciprocal health: Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A*, hepatitis B*, TB*, tetanus, tick-borne encephalitis*, typhoid*
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden

Passport Validity: 1) Passports must be valid for 6 months from date of entry
2) Passports issued by the former Czechoslovakian Government are no longer valid

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:

1) Nationals of Slovakia

2) For stays up to 180 days by holders of a Sovereign Military Order of Malta

3) For stays up to 3 months by nationals of:
a) United Kingdom
b) Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden
4) For stays up to 90 days by nationals of Andorra, Aruba, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darassalam, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Malaysia, Macao, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay & Venezuela
5) For stays up to 30 days by nationals of Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Croatia, San Marino & Vatican City

Air Transit

Exit Permits

Special Notes

Climate

Weather tends to be changeable throughout the year. Winter temperatures average around 2C and can be even lower due to cold easterly winds and snow is normal. January is the coldest month with temperatures falling below -5C. Rainfall is low in winter the wettest seasons being spring and autumn. Summers are hot Jul-Aug being the hottest with temperatures reaching 30C

Clothing

Generally mediumweights with heavy topcoat for winter. Lightweights for summer

Charts for Bratislava

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 2 3 9 16 21 24 26 26 22 15 8 4 Min Temp (C) -3 -2 1 6 11 14 16 15 12 7 3 0 Humidity am (%) 84 81 79 73 72 72 73 75 78 84 86 87 Humidity pm (%) 77 70 58 49 49 50 49 51 52 62 76 80 Rainfall (mm) 43 47 42 42 61 64 73 69 40 54 55 59

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

Embassy
Embassy of Slovakia
25 Kensington Palace Gardens
London, W8 4QY
tel: +44 20 7313 6470
fax: +44 20 7313 6481
e-mail: cons.london@mzv.sk
website: www.slovakembassy.co.uk
hours: appointments only