FAQ Словаччина-ის საზღვრის შესახებ

Depends on your citizenship:

🟢 VISA-FREE (90/180 days):

• EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens — unlimited stay
• Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova — biometric passport required
• USA, Canada, UK, Australia
• Japan, South Korea, Israel, UAE
• 60+ visa-free countries

🔴 SCHENGEN VISA REQUIRED:

• Russia — visa-free suspended since 2022
• Belarus — visa required
• Turkey — since 2023
• China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam
• Most African and Middle Eastern countries

Visa cost: €80 (adults), €40 (children 6-12)

Check your status on the official website

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) — electronic travel authorization for Schengen area, similar to US ESTA.

📅 Launch: End of 2026 (NOT required now!)

✅ Who will need ETIAS:

• Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova
• USA, Canada, UK, Australia
• Japan, South Korea, Israel, UAE
• All 60+ visa-free countries

❌ Who does NOT need ETIAS:

• EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens
• Citizens requiring Schengen visa (Russia, Belarus, China, etc.)

💰 Cost: €7

📆 Validity: 3 years or until passport expiry

⏱️ Processing: Online, usually instant (up to 4 days)

⚠️ Russian and Belarusian citizens need a Schengen visa!

Visa-free travel for Russian citizens was suspended in 2022.

How to obtain a visa:

1. Apply at Slovakia consulate or visa center
2. Gather documents: passport, photo, application, invitation, finances, insurance
3. Pay €80 (adults) or €40 (children 6-12)
4. Provide fingerprints (if not done in last 5 years)
5. Wait 15-45 days

Required documents:

• Passport (valid 3+ months after visa)
• Invitation from Slovak resident (notarized)
• Medical insurance (€30,000 coverage)
• Bank statement (proof of finances)
• Hotel reservation
• Return ticket

⚠️ Restrictions: Russian military personnel cannot obtain Schengen visas. Border checks are stricter.

3 border crossings operate on the Ukraine-Slovakia border:

⭐ Note: Slovakia has the shortest queues among all Ukraine's neighbors!

EES impact (from 2026):

• First entry: +10-15 minutes (biometric registration)
• Repeat entries: -5-10 minutes (automatic recognition)

📊 View live UA-SK queues

Official requirements (Schengen):

• Minimum per day: 45 USD (~€42)
• Per week: ~315 USD

In practice: Slovak border rarely asks about money, but better to have proof (card, bank statement).

Contacts:

• DPSU: dpsu.gov.ua, +38 (440) 2000
• Slovak Border Police: minv.sk, +421 (2) 5964 7111
• Ukrainian Embassy in Bratislava: slovakia.mfa.gov.ua
• Emergency: 112

Live queues: nakordoni.eu

Yes! Allowed at some checkpoints.

Pedestrian crossings:

• Malyi Bereznyi-Ubľa — 24/7
• Mali Selmentsi-Veľké Slemence — 09:00–21:00 (Kyiv time)
• Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké — allowed (rarely practiced)

Wait time: 10–30 minutes (usually faster than cars)

Required documents:

• Pet passport
• Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
• Rabies vaccination (min. 21 days before trip)
• Veterinary certificate (within 10 days)
• Health declaration

Cost: €15–30

Travel options to Bratislava:

• Taxi: €60–100, 1–1.5 hours
• Bus (FlixBus, RegioJet): €15–35, 1–2 hours
• Train: €20–40, 1–1.5 hours
• Own car: €10–15 (fuel) + €8–11 (vignette)

Speed limits in Slovakia:

Fines are strict! 30+ km/h = €400+

Diaľničná známka — electronic permit for using Slovakia's roads.

Prices 2025:

• 1 day: €8.10
• 10 days: €10.80
• 30 days: €17.10
• 365 days: €90.00

Where to buy: eznamka.sk, at border, gas stations

Fine without vignette: up to €600

Average wait time at Ukraine-Slovakia border (December 2025):

⭐ Slovakia = shortest queues!

EES impact (from April 2026):

• First Schengen entry: +10-15 min (biometrics)
• Repeat entries: -5-10 min (automatic recognition)

Factors: ⛅ Weather | 📅 Weekends (×2) | 🔍 Customs check (+30-120 min)

📊 View live queues →

Optimal days:

• 🟢 Best: Tuesday–Thursday
• 🟡 Medium: Monday, Friday morning
• 🔴 Avoid: Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday

Optimal hours:

• 🟢 Best: 9:00–16:00
• 🔴 Avoid: 17:00–19:00

Important: Slovakia has the shortest queues among all neighboring countries!

EES (Entry/Exit System) — automated EU system for registering biometric data of foreigners.

📅 Full launch: April 9, 2026 (transition period until then)

✅ Who MUST register:

• ALL third-country nationals (not EU/EEA/Switzerland)
• Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, USA, Canada, UK
• Russia, Belarus, Turkey, China, India (with visa)

❌ Who does NOT register:

• EU citizens (27 countries)
• Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

What is recorded:

• Facial photograph
• All 10 fingerprints (for 12+ years old)
• Passport data and entry/exit times

⏱️ Time: First entry: 10-20 min | Repeat: 2-5 min

✅ Free! Data stored for 3 years.

Learn more about EES →

Yes! Ukrainian citizens can cross the Slovakia border with a biometric passport without a visa.

Conditions:

• Period: maximum 90 days within 180 days
• Purpose: tourism, business, visiting relatives
• Passport: valid min. 3 months, issued no more than 10 years ago

Basic documents:

• Biometric passport (valid min. 3 months after entry)
• Visa-free entry — up to 90 days within 180 days

For drivers:

• Green Card (mandatory)
• Road vignette (Diaľničná známka)
• Driver's license and vehicle registration

Recommended: health insurance, proof of funds (45 USD/day)