Updated: 25 September 2026 The Bratislava Christmas markets (Vianočné trhy) are the city’s biggest winter event: wooden stalls across the Old Town squares, hot punch, lokše with goose fat, cabbage soup and live music every evening. Below: 2026 dates, where the markets are, what food and drinks cost, how to get there and what to […]

Updated: 25 September 2026 A cold that won’t go away, sinusitis, earache, tonsillitis that comes back every few months, snoring, blocked ears after a flight or a hearing test — in Slovakia all of this is handled by an ENT doctor, called ORL (otorinolaryngológ, colloquially “ušné-nosné-krčné”). Below: how to book an ENT in Bratislava on […]

Updated: 25 September 2026 Blood pressure that won’t come down with pills, palpitations, shortness of breath on the stairs, high cholesterol in your lab results or a pre-surgery clearance — in Slovakia all of this goes to a cardiologist (kardiológ). Below are current private cardiology prices in Bratislava, clinics where doctors speak Russian and Ukrainian, […]

Finding a general practitioner (GP) in Bratislava who accepts new patients is not easy: many practices have a full patient list and waiting times stretch into weeks. The good news is that you can be seen privately — fast, without a referral, and often within the same week. Here is where private doctors see patients […]

Are you a specialist or a company? Add yourself to the directory — it is free If you work in Slovakia and speak Russian or Ukrainian, leave your details. We will check them and add you to a directory used by hundreds of people every month. Who we add: doctors, lawyers, accountants, tradespeople, car services, […]

The complete directory of primary schools in Slovakia: 2,281 schools in 1,406 towns and villages — name, address, district, region and official website. The data comes from the register of schools kept by the Slovak Ministry of Education and from CVTI SR statistics for the academic year 2025/2026. If you have moved here with a […]

This is the most complete directory of educational institutions in Slovakia on our site. The data comes from the official register of schools kept by the Slovak Ministry of Education and from CVTI SR statistics for the academic year 2025/2026: names, addresses, districts, websites and fields of study. The table below lists 871 educational institutions […]

PZP is compulsory by law in Slovakia; KASKO is not. The first protects not you but the people you have harmed. The second protects your car. Here is how they differ, when KASKO pays for itself and when it is money thrown away. PZP: pays for damage to others Povinné zmluvné poistenie covers damage you […]

Holiday entitlement calculator Slovakia 2026 How many days of leave you are entitled to and how much you will be paid for them The age you turn in 2026 You permanently care for a childNoYes Full months with one employer in 2026 Working days per week Average gross daily earnings, € (optional) Leave for 2026 […]

In short. From 6 August 2026, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 who submit a new or repeat application for temporary protection (dočasné útočisko) in Slovakia must themselves prove that they are meeting their military obligations in Ukraine. For those who already hold the status and have held it without interruption, the change does not […]

A trip to see relatives in Ukraine, a holiday in Croatia or a business trip to Germany — in all of these cases Slovak state health insurance does not work the way it does at home. Here is what the European card covers, what it does not, and when you should not travel without a […]

From 2026 income tax in Slovakia has four bands. There used to be two rates — 19 % and 25 %; now 30 % and 35 % have been added for high incomes. The calculator works out your tax for the year, allowing for the tax-free part. Income Tax Calculator 2026 An annual calculation: how […]

From 1 January 2026 the minimum wage in Slovakia rose to 915 euros a month. That is the biggest increase in the country’s history — 99 euros at once. But the gap between the figure in your employment contract and the money that lands in your account is almost 190 euros. Below we look at […]

This article is for citizens of non-EU countries coming to work in Slovakia: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Serbia and others. If you have temporary refuge status (odídenec), as Ukrainian citizens do, the rules are different — you do not need a work permit; see the separate article. We explain […]

Maternity benefit in Slovakia is 75 % of your earnings, not a flat allowance. The higher your salary was, the bigger the payment — but there is a ceiling. The calculator works out the daily, monthly and total amount. Maternity Benefit Calculator 2026 Enter your average gross salary and see how much you will receive […]

The neighbours flooded you, a pipe burst, hail smashed the windows, the wiring in the cellar burned out — in Slovakia all of this is dealt with through insurance, and most of these stories end calmly only for those who arranged it in advance. Here is what policies exist, what each of them covers and […]

Once you have moved to Slovakia, sooner or later the same question comes up: which insurance policies are genuinely compulsory here, which are simply sensible, and which you can safely do without. We have put it all in one place — with an honest split into “must have”, “as good as must have” and “optional”. […]

Seven calculators for living and working in Slovakia. All of them use 2026 rates, including the consolidation package that changed both contributions and the tax scale. Free, no registration. Salary and taxes Net salary calculator How much lands in your account out of the gross. Shows every deduction, the child tax bonus and the full […]

Mortgages in Slovakia are available to foreigners too — with a residence permit, declared income and a deposit. The calculator works out the payment and the total interest, and checks the two limits banks most often refuse on. Mortgage Calculator Slovakia 2026 Work out your monthly payment, the total interest and whether you fit within […]

From 1 January 2026 unemployment benefit in Slovakia is no longer paid at a single rate for the whole six months — it gradually decreases. Here is who is entitled to it, how much is paid in each of the six months, and why the self-employed most often end up with nothing. Two conditions, both […]

A company pays tax twice: on profit and on dividends. With turnover of 80 000 € and expenses of 50 000 €, about 25 110 € out of 30 000 € of profit reaches the owner. The calculator shows both steps. s.r.o. tax calculator 2026 How much the company pays and how much reaches the […]

VAT (DPH) Calculator Slovakia 2026 Add VAT to an amount or work out the VAT contained in a VAT-inclusive amount Amount, € What to doAdd VAT to a net amountExtract VAT from a gross amount VAT rate23 % — standard19 % — reduced5 % — reduced VAT amount 23,00 € Excluding VAT100,00 € Including VAT123,00 […]

Employers talk in gross, but you live on the net figure. This calculator works backwards: you enter the amount you want to see in your account and get the gross figure to quote at the interview. Gross-from-Net Salary Calculator 2026 Know how much you want to take home? Find out what gross salary to ask […]

This article explains how the income of employees in Slovakia is taxed: who counts as a tax resident, which rates apply, what is deducted from your salary, how to reduce your tax base and by when you have to file. The official source on all these questions is the website of the Slovak financial administration […]

From 1 January 2026 the rules for paying sick leave in Slovakia have changed: the employer now pays for the first 14 days instead of the previous ten, and Sociálna poisťovňa only takes over from day fifteen. Here is how much you get at each stage and what you have to do for the money […]

The biggest beginner mistake on a živnosť is treating turnover as your income. Out of 40 000 € a year, about 32 000 € is left after contributions and tax, and that is still before your real expenses. The calculator shows the whole chain. Živnosť (SZČO) calculator 2026 How much a živnosť holder is left […]

Between the gross figure in your contract and the amount that lands in your account — about a quarter. Out of 1 500 € gross you take home roughly 1 135 €. The calculator shows where the difference goes, and also works out what you cost your employer. Net Salary Calculator 2026 Enter your gross […]

Severance Pay Calculator 2026 How much you should be paid if you are made redundant or dismissed on health grounds Average gross monthly earnings, € Full years with this employer How the contract endsNotice given by the employerAgreement between the parties ReasonRedundancy, closure, healthWork injury or occupational disease Gross severance pay 3 000,00 € Amount […]

When you apply for a residence permit, the foreign police require proof of health insurance. This is one of the documents that most often gets applicants turned away at the counter — not because they have no insurance, but because it is the wrong type. Here is which one you need and where to arrange […]

A foreigner can buy a flat or a house in Slovakia — and in most cases without any special permits. But the transaction itself works differently from Ukraine or Russia: ownership does not arise when the contract is signed but only once the entry is made in the cadastre, and it is in the gap […]

The district you choose in Bratislava affects your budget more than the number of rooms. A two-room flat in Staré Mesto and an identical one in Petržalka differ by several hundred euros a month, for much the same floor area. Here is how the districts differ, what rent costs in each and who each one […]

A foreigner can open a company in Slovakia — neither citizenship nor permanent residence in the country is required. But the procedure has changed noticeably in recent years: registration has become fully electronic, checks on founders have been added, and with them new obligations that start the moment you are registered. Below is a step-by-step […]

Driving a taxi or delivering food is one of the most common ways Ukrainians and Russian speakers earn money in Bratislava. The barrier to entry is low, the hours are flexible and you barely need the language. But behind the apparent simplicity sit two different legal regimes, and confusing them is expensive: fines for driving […]

Slovakia stopped being a «transit» country for Russian-speaking migrants a long time ago. People come here for the calm pace, the familiar culture, a language they can follow and prices that are still noticeably below Austrian or German ones. But moving is not only about the beautiful Tatras and coffee for 2 euros. It is […]

Social contributions are not the same thing as health insurance, though the two are constantly confused. Health insurance pays for your doctor. Social insurance gives you sick pay, maternity benefits, unemployment benefit and a pension. In 2026 the rules changed noticeably — especially for self-employed people. What social insurance gives you Nemocenské — sick pay […]

Being pregnant in a foreign country is a stress of its own: it is not clear who to go to, what you are entitled to, or what you will have to pay for. Here is how antenatal care works in Slovakia, what payments exist and — honestly — which of them are actually within reach […]

Looking for a flat to rent, want to buy a home in Slovakia, or, the other way round, to let out or sell your own property? Fill in the form below — we will get in touch and help. We are a Slovak company. Pomosh.sk operates on the territory of the Slovak Republic and works […]

If you are looking for somewhere to live in Slovakia — to rent or to buy — or keeping an eye on property prices in Czechia, Poland or Ukraine, it is worth knowing about Nomerio.com. It is a platform that collects property listings from several Central European countries at once and shows them on a […]

Financial statements are not a formality you can put off. In Slovakia they are filed in two directions: with the tax office and in a public register, where anyone can later look them up. And even a company that did nothing all year has to file them. Here is what the statements consist of, when […]

A car cannot be driven in Slovakia without PZP insurance — that is the law, not advice. From 2026 the checks are automatic: the system itself verifies whether a vehicle is insured and fines the owner. Here is what PZP is, what it costs and how it differs from KASKO. PZP and KASKO: two different […]

The tax return for 2025 in Slovakia concerns many Ukrainians who work here, rent out housing or run a business. Working out the deadlines and the forms is easier than it looks at first glance. Below is the essential information: who has to file, which amounts apply, what changed from 2025 onwards and what to […]

Many Ukrainians who found shelter with Slovak families have heard about the «accommodation compensation» — a payment the state makes to people who provided housing to odídenci free of charge. But in 2025 the rules of this programme changed, and today it works nothing like it did in the first months of the war. Here […]

Before you start looking for a flat, it helps to know the general price level — otherwise it is easy either to overpay or to spend months hunting for something that does not exist at your budget. Below are the real average figures for Slovakia, what is added to the rent, and how much cash […]

Since 1 September 2025, education in Slovakia has been compulsory for foreign nationals’ children — including children with odídenec status. This is not a recommendation but a legal requirement, and it comes with specific deadlines. Here is who it applies to, how to enrol a child in a kindergarten or school, and what documents you […]

If you are living in Slovakia under dočasné útočisko (temporary protection), you have probably built up a few questions: is the status still valid, do you have to renew anything yourself, and what should you do about your documents. In 2026 there was an important change on this subject that affects practically every Ukrainian holding […]

Slovakia’s tax system changed noticeably in 2026: there are now four income tax rates instead of two, health insurance contributions have gone up, and the “contribution holiday” for new entrepreneurs has been cut short. Here is who pays what — in plain language and with concrete figures. Who has to pay tax in Slovakia The […]

Health insurance in Slovakia is compulsory by law — with no exceptions. But the system is set up so that some people pay through their employer and barely notice it, while others pay 30–100 euros a month out of their own pocket. The difference depends on your status, and it is worth understanding before you […]

The Slovak discount market is made up of several different types of service, and it is worth keeping them apart: on some you buy a voucher for a specific service, on others you simply find a promo code for an ordinary online shop, and a third group helps you pick up food from a café […]

A rental contract in Slovakia is drawn up in Slovak, and you should never sign a document you do not understand. But there are a few things worth knowing before you pick up the pen — because they decide how much time you will have to move out and whether you get your deposit back. […]

Some people save up for a car straight from the showroom, while for others a used car is a good alternative. The Slovak market for buying and selling vehicles offers various ways to search — above all through online marketplaces. We have gathered the popular Slovak portals where you can buy a new car or […]

Flea markets are an excellent way to buy well and cheaply. In Slovakia, selling, swapping or simply giving away second-hand things is regarded as perfectly normal: they can still be useful to someone else. We have put together a list of popular Slovak online sites where you can pick up used goods in excellent condition […]

Slovakia is called the land of thermal springs for good reason — there are more than a thousand of them. The thermal baths are open all year round, and they are one of the most affordable ways to spend a weekend without a long journey. Here are the main complexes, how they differ and what […]

Passenger transport companies and private carriers offer dozens of ways to travel from Slovakia to Ukraine and back. But arriving on time or making a connection can be difficult because of the hours buses spend waiting at the Slovak-Ukrainian border. Here is how to plan the trip and why the train is often the more […]

Slovakia has several forms of employment contract governing the relationship between employer and employee. The most common is the classic employment contract for an indefinite or a fixed term. There are also short-term agreements and a work agreement for students. Each type has its own features and level of social protection. The classic employment contract […]

A residence permit in Slovakia can be obtained on various grounds, including on the basis of running a business. In this article we go through the forms of business activity that exist in Slovakia, whether you can run a business while holding temporary protection status, what documents you need, where to register and how much […]

The accommodation allowance scheme (príspevok za ubytovanie odídenca) is a state payment to people who provide housing free of charge to those holding temporary protection status. Here is who receives the money, how much it is and how to apply. One important point up front: the government extends the scheme in stages, and the conditions […]

Children’s activity centres and play complexes are a convenient option for parents: you can leave your child in safe hands for a couple of hours and get the shopping done or deal with something urgent, or you can spend a whole weekend there as a family. We have put together a selection of popular play […]

Christmas is a time for presents, and most people prefer to buy them online: it is quick, convenient, and the range in online shops keeps growing. But the run-up to the holidays is also when the number of fraudulent sites goes up. Pomosh.sk has put together a list of reputable Slovak online shops where you […]

There are several types of residence permit in Slovakia, and which one you hold determines your right to work, to bring your family over and to apply for citizenship. Here are all the types, the grounds for each and the logic of moving from one to another. The three main types of residence Temporary residence […]

In Slovakia, when you are taken on, employers as a rule quote the gross salary. In this article you will find out which taxes and contributions are included in it, how net pay is calculated, what supplements an employee can receive and how to work out for yourself how much you will actually take home. […]

Bratislava is Slovakia’s most expensive property market, and the gap between a good and a bad purchase here is measured in tens of thousands of euros. Here are the realistic ways to buy below market price — and the things you should definitely not skimp on. Why the asking price is not the final price […]

In Slovakia the tax return must be filed by 31 March for the previous calendar year. Here is who has to file it, who does not, what forms exist and what happens if you are late. Who does not need to file a return Let us start with the good news: most employees do not […]

Bratislava has more than ten shopping centres, and they differ noticeably: some are convenient without a car, others are aimed at drivers, and a couple are combined with the bus station or a city market. Below is an overview of all the major centres with addresses, floor space, transport and parking, plus important practical information: […]

One-day trips are a great way to recharge and add another excursion to your travel collection. We have put together a few interesting places in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria that you can visit on your own or with the whole family in a single day, returning to Bratislava in the evening. Červený Kameň […]

A Ukrainian driving licence is recognised in Slovakia only for a limited time. If you live here permanently, sooner or later you will have to exchange it for a Slovak one. Here is how the process works, what documents you need and how much it costs. Do you have to exchange your licence? For a […]

Travelling with animals from Ukraine to the EU requires strict compliance with the border-crossing rules. At the border check you will be asked for a pet passport and a number of other documents. Here is what you need to arrange, and by when, so that your pet is definitely let through. A reminder: from February […]

Slovakia has beautiful countryside and a convenient location in the centre of Europe, so trips around the country and to neighbouring cities are genuinely enjoyable journeys. Carriers do their best to make the trip comfortable and safe. In this article we look at the main passenger transport companies in Slovakia, their routes, and the rules […]

Buying a car is an important and serious step in anyone’s life. One of the options is to buy a car in Slovakia. Slovakia is a country with highly developed infrastructure, excellent roads and plenty of car dealers. In this article we look at which documents you need in order to buy a car in […]

Children’s fairy tales, audiobooks and educational materials in Ukrainian help children keep a connection with their native language — and simply take their minds off things. We have gathered a selection of online resources where you can read, listen to and watch content in Ukrainian. Much of it is free or needs no registration. This […]

In this article we cover the main airports in Bratislava and Košice and give useful information for travellers, including people holding temporary protection status who are travelling by plane. which airports there are and how to get to the airport what tourists and Ukrainian refugees need to know where it is cheapest to buy tickets […]

At Easter, Christmas, Pentecost and other Christian feasts many people traditionally go to church – some to an Orthodox one, some to a Catholic one, some to a Protestant one. We have put together a list of active Ukrainian churches in Bratislava where you can attend a festive service, arrange a baptism or a wedding, […]

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and the centre of the country’s football life. Slovak football may not be as well known as the Spanish or English game, but it has a long history and the local clubs have devoted supporters across the country. Here is which teams play in the city, where to watch […]

Shopping online in Slovakia is almost always better value than a trip to the shopping centre: prices are lower, the choice is wider, and the order arrives at your home or at the nearest pick-up point. For anyone who has moved recently it is also a way around the language barrier — placing an order […]

Are you a student wondering whether it is worth working while you study? In this article we look at how much you will pay in taxes and levies and whether it is worth it. Of course, higher education in Slovakia has many advantages. You get an ISIC card (student card), which gives you discounts on […]

  How the emergency services work in Slovakia Perhaps the most important thing anyone living in or visiting the Slovak Republic should know is where to turn in an emergency. The emergency numbers work round the clock and can be dialled from any phone. When you call for help, describe the situation briefly and clearly, […]

If you are thinking about living in Slovakia, you probably want to know what it is really like. Perhaps you have already moved and want to know more. In this article we give you practical information and share the experience of people who have been living in Slovakia for more than a year. We will […]

A mortgage in Slovakia is available to foreigners too, but the conditions differ noticeably from those offered to citizens. Here are the current rates, what banks require, how much of the price you will have to put in yourself and what is actually checked when you apply. Work it out yourself: mortgage calculator — free, […]

This article is not a list of “best casinos” and it is not advertising. It explains how the gambling market in Slovakia works from a legal point of view: which sites operate legally, how to check a licence in a minute, whether tax is paid on winnings, what to do if gambling becomes a problem, […]

Slovakia is a fairly varied country, and it is open not only to work and tourism but also to students. The capital is home to several universities that appear in rankings of the best higher education institutions in Europe. A few reasons to study in Bratislava: Bratislava has a huge number of firms and companies […]

Today you can get news from all sorts of media, but far from all of them are accurate, objective and professional. We have put together a selection of independent Slovak online media that we recommend following, so that you get reliable information and always know what is going on. DENNÍK N One of the largest […]

Public holidays in Slovakia are not arranged the way they first appear. A public holiday and a day off are two different statuses, and since 2025 they increasingly do not coincide. In 2026 five holidays formally remain holidays, but people work on those days. Below is the current calendar, the rules on shop closures and […]

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and one of the most compact and picturesque cities in Europe, where historic buildings stand alongside modern architecture. The main advantage for a visitor: almost everything worth seeing is within walking distance, and you really can cover the city in one or two days. Here is what to see […]

No time to travel? Do you live in Bratislava and find yourself spending more and more of your free time close to home? Or are you planning a trip to Bratislava and do not know where to spend a memorable day? We have put together some suggestions for exploring the remarkable city of Bratislava with […]

The most important thing we have is our health, so it matters to look after it and to see a doctor in good time. Booking a doctor’s appointment in Slovakia may feel unfamiliar to anyone who has just arrived in the country. The process, however, is fairly simple and similar to what exists elsewhere. Slovakia […]

Bratislava by night: clubs, bars and other places to spend the evening Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is one of the most attractive and picturesque cities in Europe. With a remarkable number of historic buildings, lanes and squares, it is a place worth visiting if you are after a genuine European adventure. Bratislava is also […]

Today the Telegram channel is one of the most popular platforms for communication — from following current news in the country and the world, and educational material and knowledge sharing, to business, brand promotion and selling your own services. Why Telegram chats matter after you move For Ukrainians who have come to Slovakia, Telegram is […]

Bratislava and its surroundings have plenty of places to spend a hot day by the water — from natural lakes with sandy beaches to municipal open-air pools with slides. We have put together a list of the most popular options: where you can swim for free, how much entry to the city pools costs and […]

Everyone feels drawn to art from time to time. In this article we have put together a list of the best-known museums in Bratislava: opening hours, descriptions, prices and locations. 1. Transport Museum (Muzeum dopravy) Admission: every first Wednesday of the month admission is free from 10:00 to 17:00 Standard admission: 8,00 € School pupils […]

Tourism in Slovakia offers a wide range of options for travellers of all ages and interests — for young people and for families travelling with children alike. Slovakia is a beautiful country of landmarks, with stunning nature and a rich culture. It is impossible not to fall in love with it. Thousands of tourists come […]

Slovakia has a large number of home appliance and electronics shops — finding and buying what you need is not difficult. The main question is which shop to choose so that the purchase is both good value and safe. In this article we look at the most popular Slovak retailers — their range, delivery terms, […]

At first glance Slovakia may look like a small country you could drive across in a single day. That is a misconception. There are plenty of places here that are easiest to reach by train, and the rail network covers the country fairly densely. Here is how to buy tickets, which discounts are available and […]

ZÁKLADNÉ ŠKOLY / ZÁKLADNÉ ŠKOLY S MATERSKOU ŠKOLOU Primary schools / Primary schools with a nursery STARE-MESTO, BRATISLAVA I Základná škola s materskou školou Milana Hodžu Address: Škarniclova 1, 81101 Bratislava Web: https://zsmh.sk/ E-mail: zsmh@zsmh.sk Phone: 02 5441 1323 Základná škola matky Alexie Address: Palackého 1, 81102 Bratislava Web: http://www.zsmatkyalexie.eu/ E-mail: sekretariat@zsmatkyalexie.eu Phone: 02 5443 […]

Everyone who plans to enrol at a university abroad, including in Slovakia, comes up against the nostrification procedure. We look at what it is, why it is needed, which documents to prepare and how long the process takes. What nostrification is Nostrification is the recognition of educational documents obtained in another country. In essence, it […]

Social media is a key source of up-to-the-minute information for anyone who has moved to another country: it is where news, contacts for reliable tradespeople and housing and job adverts appear first. Among the Ukrainian and Russian-speaking community in Slovakia the most popular platform is still Facebook — there are more than fifteen active groups. […]

Finding a job in Slovakia is realistic — but the channel you search through affects the outcome far more than your CV does. Some people spend months sending applications on Profesia and get no reply, while others start work within a week through someone they know. This article covers every search method that works, from […]

Housing is the first thing you have to sort out after moving, and the first thing on which it is easy to lose money. Here is where to look for a flat, what it costs in different cities, how a Slovak tenancy agreement works and how newcomers are most often cheated. Where to look for […]

You need a bank account in Slovakia almost immediately: without one you will not be paid a salary, will not be able to sign a tenancy agreement, and will not get a tax refund. For a foreigner the main question is not “where is it cheapest” but whether they will open an account for you […]

Temporary protection in Slovakia (dočasné útočisko) has been extended automatically until 4 March 2027. Here is what that means in practice, whether you need to do anything yourself, how to check your status and what happens next. The extension is automatic The main thing to understand: you do not need to submit an application for […]

Slovakia is a small country in the centre of Europe, bordering Ukraine to the east. Since the start of the full-scale war, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have made use of temporary protection here. This article covers the practical side: who can apply for temporary refuge, what help is available, how to open a bank […]

How you can pay for public transport in Bratislava, where to buy a travel pass and what you need in order to do so, how much a ticket costs and how to read the timetable at the stop — here is everything in order. Travel passes in Bratislava in brief How much it costs: 7 […]