Bratislava for Ukrainians: A Newcomer’s Guide
This article will be useful to anyone who has arrived in Bratislava for the first time because of the war in Ukraine. Here we go through the very first practical questions: how to use public transport, where to register for temporary protection status, where to learn Slovak for free, how to find work and how to find somewhere to live.
Public transport in Bratislava
Transport is one of the first things every newcomer has to deal with. All public transport in Bratislava is paid for, and one ticket covers every mode: bus, trolleybus and tram.
Where to buy a ticket
There are ticket machines for paper tickets at almost every stop — you can pay in euro cash or by card. Tickets are also sold in newsagents and tobacconists.
Electronic tickets in the IDS BK app are usually cheaper than paper ones. Another option is the SMS ticket: send an empty message to the number shown at the stop, and within a minute or two you will receive your ticket by reply.
It is worth knowing in advance how long your journey will take, so you can choose a ticket of the right duration — 30 minutes, 60 minutes and so on.
Tip: validate your paper ticket straight away
When you board, a paper ticket has to be validated immediately. Having a paper ticket makes dealing with inspectors simpler: an app can let you down at the worst possible moment — failing to open during a check, leaving you with a fine.
The fine for travelling without a valid ticket is substantial, and paying on the spot costs less than paying later. Check current fares and fine amounts on the website of the operator Dopravný podnik Bratislava (dpb.sk) — they are revised from time to time.
How to read the timetable at a stop
Stops display a timetable showing the direction of travel and the list of stops. Note that times are given separately for working days, weekends and public holidays, and the intervals between services differ. Route numbers printed in black indicate night services.
If you are planning trips outside the city, our article Passenger transport companies in Slovakia will be useful.
Registering for temporary protection status
Everyone who has come to Slovakia for the first time because of the war needs to register for temporary protection status (dočasné útočisko). Registration is done in person — in Bratislava there was a large assistance centre for this at Bottova 7, in the former bus station building opposite the Nivy shopping centre, where all the necessary services are gathered under one roof.
Before you set off, always check the current address and opening hours: the way registration is organised has changed several times since the start of the war. Official information is published on the ua.gov.sk portal and on the website of the Slovak Ministry of the Interior. For details of the current rules, see our article Current temporary protection status in Slovakia.
What else you can get at the assistance centre
Besides registration, the centre usually offers: children’s rooms with toys and board games, psychologists, an area with help writing a CV and information about finding work, a separate space for people over 50, Slovak language groups, and a medical room where a doctor can examine you and write a prescription.
You can also get a Slovak SIM card there, receive humanitarian aid (household cleaning products, for example), put questions to lawyers, have tea or coffee and pick up water. The range of services depends on the day, so check on the spot.
Tip: ask the volunteers
The assistance centre has many volunteers who speak Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian and English. Do not hesitate to ask them questions and to check what else they can help with — they often know more about the services available than the websites say.
More practical information is collected in the article For refugees from Ukraine in Bratislava.
Learning Slovak
The next task for anyone who realises they have not come on holiday but for an indefinite period is to learn Slovak. Knowing the language lets you talk to local people, understand documents and is generally essential for everyday life.
Free courses from the Migration Information Centre (MIC IOM)
Good free courses are provided by the Migration Information Centre of the IOM (MIC IOM) — the organisation offers free advice and services to foreigners. On mic.iom.sk, in the education section, it publishes information about open Slovak courses for foreigners. Courses are held both online and in person, and you have to register in advance.
The same site has materials for studying the language on your own, as well as information about social assistance, employment, education and professional retraining in Slovakia.
Tip: register as early as you can
Registration for the courses opens on a strictly defined day, which is given on the page. The courses are very popular and places are limited, so sign up as soon as enrolment opens.
In-person classes come in different formats: there are daytime and evening options, an intensive version three times a week and a lighter one twice a week. Tuition is free, there are no entrance exams, and there are tests during the course. Many teachers speak Russian, which makes taking in new material easier.
Employment and retraining
To find work or change profession, you can get funding for training. The Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (Úrad práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny) has set up several projects for Ukrainian citizens. In Bratislava the office is at Vazovova 7.
How course funding works
The office has Russian-speaking advisers who will help you get your bearings and choose a course for upskilling or retraining. After the consultation you have to find an accredited course in the field you are interested in yourself and find out the start date. All the documents you need for the course are issued by the office.
The arrangement is this: you take a retraining course in Slovak, sit the exam and submit the certificate of successful completion to the Office of Labour — and only then does the office reimburse the cost of the training. Check the exact room number and the arrangements for appointments on the spot or by phone, as the way the office works changes.
Tip: the certificate counts
On these courses you can learn a new trade or improve the one you already have. In Slovakia it matters to hold a document showing you have completed local courses. People are understanding about your level of the language — the main thing is to attend the classes and pass the exam. With a certificate and an intermediate level of Slovak, your chances of finding work are considerably better.
Before signing a contract it is worth understanding the types of employment relationship and how pay is calculated: read about this in the articles Types of employment contracts in Slovakia and Gross and net salary in Slovakia.
Looking for somewhere to live
Rental and property listings are published on the big Slovak portals: nehnutelnosti.sk, reality.sk and reality.bazos.sk. A large share of rental offers also appears in dedicated Facebook groups — there you can find places directly from owners, with no agency fee.
Be careful with advance payments: do not transfer money before you have viewed the flat and signed a contract. For a detailed look at the process, see the article How to find housing in Slovakia.
Emergency numbers in Slovakia
These are the numbers to save in your phone as soon as you arrive:
- 158 — police
- 150 — fire service
- 155 — ambulance
- 112 — single number for all emergency services
A fuller list of contacts is collected in the article Emergency service phone numbers in Slovakia.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I register for temporary protection status in Bratislava?
Registration is done in person at a dedicated assistance centre. Check the current address and opening hours on the official ua.gov.sk portal before you travel, as the arrangements change from time to time.
How much does public transport cost in Bratislava?
Tickets are sold by journey duration — from 30 minutes upwards. Electronic tickets in the IDS BK app are usually cheaper than paper ones. Current fares are on dpb.sk.
Where can I learn Slovak for free?
Free courses for foreigners are run by the Migration Information Centre MIC IOM. Registration opens on set days at mic.iom.sk, and places are limited.
Can I get money for retraining courses?
Yes, the Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family reimburses the cost of accredited courses, but only after you have passed the exam and submitted the certificate of completion.
What should I do if I do not speak Slovak and need help?
The assistance centres have volunteers who speak Ukrainian, Russian and English. MIC IOM also gives free advice in a language you can understand.
Important. The information in this article has been gathered from open sources online and is up to date at the time of publication. Conditions and rules change. Before making any decisions, check the current information and consult a specialist in the field.