How to Get a Phone Number in Slovakia

How to get a phone number in Slovakia

A phone number in Slovakia. Which operator offers better value and how to get a SIM card.

Prepaid or contract: where to start

You can buy a prepaid card (predplatená karta, prepaid) in Slovakia without a residence permit — a foreign passport is usually enough, and some cards are sold in kiosks and supermarkets. This is the quickest option in your first weeks after arrival.

A contract tariff (paušál) is a proper agreement with the operator, often with a phone paid off in instalments. Here the operator checks that you can pay and asks for more documents. Terms differ between operators, so check them on the spot.

Where to buy a SIM card

The first step is to visit any mobile operator’s shop, for example Orange, T-Mobile or O2.

These links will take you to the addresses of mobile shops in Bratislava:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QZb83o35nZxn5G8n6?g_st=it

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z8w7hwsDxd4MoLnm6?g_st=it

https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6DM5tNFPRURGAnT8?g_st=it

Which documents you will need

You will need the following documents:

• A passport or another identity document;

• Proof of address, for example an electricity or gas bill;

• A document confirming your income, if you want to sign a contract for a paid tariff plan.

Once you have provided all the required documents, you can choose a suitable tariff plan and buy a mobile phone. If you have chosen a paid tariff plan, you will have to pay a deposit up front. The price of tariff plans and the cost of phones depend on the operator and the plan you choose, but the cost of a phone number is usually between 10 and 30 euros, depending on the tariff. Tariff plans usually include a set number of minutes and an amount of mobile data, and you can pick the plan that best suits your needs. To activate your new phone number you will need to wait a few hours. Once activation is complete, you can start using your phone number.

Is it hard to get a number in Slovakia

Overall, getting a phone number in Slovakia is a simple and quick process as long as you have all the necessary documents. You just need to visit a mobile operator’s shop, hand over the required documents and choose the tariff plan that best suits your needs. You can pay for your phone number in cash or by bank card. Follow the operator’s instructions to activate your number.
To use your phone number, you need suitable equipment, such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. If you do not have the equipment you need, you can buy it in an electronics shop or online.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting a phone number in Slovakia is not a complicated process as long as you have the necessary documents and take the cost of the tariff plans into account. You can get a phone number easily and start using it very quickly.

How to choose a tariff

Ignore the advertising headline and count three things instead: how many gigabytes of data you actually need, whether unlimited calls within Slovakia are included, and how calls abroad are charged. A mid-sized package is enough for most people — paying extra for unlimited data only makes sense if you tether it to a computer instead of having a home connection.

Prepaid has the added advantage that you do not have to cancel it. A contract is usually signed for 12 or 24 months, and leaving it early costs money.

How to transfer an existing number

You can move your Slovak number to another operator and keep it. The procedure is called prenos čísla: you sign the contract with the new operator, and they request the transfer from the old one themselves. It usually takes a few working days, and your number keeps working until the switch happens.

Before transferring, make sure you have no outstanding obligations under the old contract — otherwise the operator may charge a penalty for early termination.

Roaming in the European Union and calls to Ukraine

Inside the European Union the “roam like at home” rule applies: calls and data in other EU countries come out of your Slovak package at no extra charge. The limits only affect very large volumes of data and long stays abroad.

Ukraine is not covered by this arrangement. Calls there from a Slovak number are charged separately and can be expensive, so it is cheaper to use internet messengers to stay in touch with family. Some operators offer separate packages with calls to Ukraine — ask about them directly in the shop.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a SIM card without a residence permit?

A prepaid one, as a rule yes, using your foreign passport. A contract tariff requires more documents.

How much does a SIM card cost?

A prepaid starter pack costs very little and usually already includes credit on the account. The main expense is top-ups or the monthly tariff fee.

How do I top up my account?

Through the operator’s app, in internet banking, at cash machines, and at supermarket and petrol station tills. Top-up vouchers are sold almost everywhere.

Does a Slovak number work for registering with government services?

Yes. What is more, a local number is needed to book a doctor’s appointment, to arrange documents and to confirm bank transactions, so getting one should be one of the first things you do.

See also

The information has been collected from public sources and is up to date at the time of publication. Operators’ tariffs and terms change — check them on the operator’s website or in a shop before you buy.