Area: 49,034 km²
Residents: 5,443,120 (December 31, 2017)
Population density: 111 E / km²
Form of Government: Parliamentary republic
System of Government: Parliamentary democracy
Neighboring countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria
Capital: Bratislava National
language: Slovak
Religions:
68% Roman Catholic,
6.9% Evang. Augsburg Church,
4.09% Greek-Catholic. Church,
2.04% Evangelical Reformed Church,
0.94% Orthodox Church,
0.2% Jehovah’s Witnesses
Currency: Euro
Telephone area code: +421
Time zone: UTC + 1 CET
UTC + 2 CEST (March – October)
In 2020, 165 Germans officially emigrated to the Slovak Republic and 108 returned to their homeland. Within the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, 1,692 Germans officially emigrated to Slovakia and 1,390 moved back to Germany. In 2020 there were officially 4,300 Germans living in Slovakia.
The reforms of the nineties brought Slovakia significantly forward and, above all, made it attractive for emigrants because of the low tax of 19%. Nevertheless, the country still suffers from high unemployment. The High Tatras is a highly recommended holiday destination – pure nature in these enchantingly beautiful mountains.
General travel regulations (up to the corona pandemic)
To enter Slovakia, EU citizens need a passport or an identity card that is valid for the entire duration of their stay for a maximum of 90 days. The traveler must report to the local police station within 10 days in order to indicate the beginning, the place and the expected duration of the stay, unless the hotel or the landlord assumes this reporting obligation.
Immigration, permanent residence, residence permit
For longer stays (longer than 90 days), the traveler must report in person to the local police station within 30 days of the end of the 90-day period. There he then needs a valid travel document, a confirmation of the accommodation guarantee, 2 passport photos and an employment contract or a certificate of study. In addition, proof of health insurance must be provided.
The permanent residence document is initially valid for 5 years. After this period has expired, the police station issues a new document, which is then valid for 10 years.
Labor market
According to countryvv, the most important branch of the economy in Slovakia is the service sector with over 60%. However, 7% unemployment (December 2020) and partly poorly developed infrastructure make it difficult to find a job. The wages are well below Western European levels.
Due to the economic crisis, companies in Slovakia are currently reluctant to hire new staff. At the moment, specialists from the technical, IT, sales and medical fields are being hired.
If you want to work in Slovakia, you need a completed professional qualification and, if possible, professional experience. Slovak language skills are particularly important in professions with communicative tasks – for example in the financial sector.
Cost of living
The cost of living is well below Western European levels. For example, as a family you like to go out to dinner. In the east of Slovakia, in particular, it is possible to purchase land cheaply (sparsely populated).
You need around € 2,584.10 in Bratislava to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Bratislava are 26.83% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Bratislava are 30.16% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rent prices in Bratislava are 37.36% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Bratislava are 29.76% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Bratislava are 23.76% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Bratislava is 36.04% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Bratislava (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 6.00 | 5.00-10.00 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 40.00 | 25.00 – 60.00 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.00 | 1.00 – 2.50 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 2.50 | 1.80-4.00 |
| cappuccino | 2.06 | 1.00-3.00 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.56 | 1.00-2.00 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.15 | 1.00 – 1.70 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.78 | 0.60-1.00 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.03 | 0.60-2.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.20 | 0.70 – 1.60 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.01 | 1.20-3.00 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 8.49 | 5.00-15.00 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 5.09 | 3.00 – 6.50 |
| Beef (1kg) | 9.50 | 6.00-13.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.44 | 0.80-1.99 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.45 | 1.09-3.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.51 | 1.00-2.30 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 2.50 | 1.20-5.00 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.84 | 0.35-1.79 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.92 | 0.50 – 1.50 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.91 | 0.50 – 1.25 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.58 | 0.33-0.90 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 5.00 | 3.00 – 7.00 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.77 | 0.45 – 1.21 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.35 | 0.60-2.00 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Bratislava (from 08/2020 – 07/2021) Source: numbeo.com
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.90 | 0.70 – 1.00 |
| Monthly pass | 27.00 | 25.00-30.00 |
| Taxi base amount | 4.00 | 3.00 – 5.00 |
| Taxi 1 km | 1.00 | 0.50-1.20 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 178.74 | 130.00-276.25 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.09 | 0.04-0.13 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 16.45 | 10.00-25.00 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 61.82 | 20.00 – 90.00 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 28.00 | 10.00 – 40.00 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 66.90 | 40.00-100.00 |
| Leather business shoes | 83.00 | 50.00-100.00 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 29.59 | 20.00 – 50.00 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 14.31 | 10.00-20.00 |
| a movie ticket | 8.00 | 7.00 – 9.00 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 461.76 | 400.00-520.00 |
| International primary school per year and child | 9,862.50 | 5,500.00 – 20,000.00 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Bratislava (from 08/2020 – 07/2021) Source: numbeo.com
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 632.14 | 500.00 – 800.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 455.67 | 400.00- 600.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,078.00 | 850.00 – 1,400.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 804.83 | 700.00 – 1,000.00 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 3,765.22 | 3,300.00 – 5,000.00 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 2,713.64 | 2,400.00 – 3,000.00 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 1,148.62 | – |
Emigration and living in Slovakia
Slovakia is particularly suitable for self-caterers and retirees, as you can still live quite cheaply here. Immigration is not a problem. The people in this country are usually very friendly. Linguistic communication may be a problem, as officially less than 1% of Germans currently live in the country. It is definitely advisable to have at least some basic Slovak vocabulary to learn. Some advantages of the country: easy immigration, relatively safe from natural disasters.
