Embassy
Embassy of Germany, Bratislava
Bratislava
Slovakia visa requirements for German citizens
German citizens can visit, live and work in Slovakia without a visa.
Passport
DEU
Germany
Going to
SVK
Slovakia
Free to visit, live and work
Visit with a valid residence permit or long-stay visa from a Schengen country.
- Visa
- Not required
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Slovakia.
Ways into Slovakia
Visit without a visa if you qualify, or apply before travel.
Visa not requiredSchengen permit visitVisit with a valid residence permit or long-stay visa from a Schengen country.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your permit or visa comes from Schengen.
- Carry your valid passport and permit or visa.
Documents required
- Passport
- Valid Schengen permit or long-stay visa
- Short visits to other Schengen countries share 90 days in any 180 days.
- A Cyprus visa or residence permit does not give this exemption.
Visa on arrivalUrgent border visaA rare border visa for urgent, unexpected travel when applying beforehand was impossible.
- Stay
- 15 days
How to apply
- Explain your urgent, unexpected reasons to border police.
- Show the travel documents and evidence they request.
Documents required
- Travel document
- Proof of urgent, unexpected reasons
- Return or onward travel proof
- Border police decide whether to grant the visa.
- Stays can reach 15 days; transit allows only the time needed.
Visa requiredTourist Schengen visaA short visit visa for tourists who need a visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Check that Slovakia is your main destination.
- Find the embassy serving where you legally live.
- Book an embassy or approved visa centre appointment.
- Complete the form and gather the required documents.
- Submit, pay, and give fingerprints if needed.
Documents required
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Signed form and colour photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds and departure
- Travel insurance covering 30,000 EUR
- Hotel booking
- Fingerprints
- Your visa sets your stay, entry count and expiry; entry is not guaranteed.
- The 90-day limit covers all Schengen visits within any 180 days.
Sources (25)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Slovak Ministry of Interior: foreigners and visa information; legacy address returned the ministry landing page during checking
- Slovak Ministry of Interior: legacy visa-free regime link; returned the ministry landing page
- Slovak Foreign Ministry: Schengen visa, updated 17 August 2026
- Slovak Foreign Ministry: national visa, updated 3 September 2026
- Slovak Foreign Ministry: European family members
- Slovak Embassy in Washington: Schengen visa
- Slovak Embassy in London: visa information
- Slovak Embassy in London: Schengen visas, updated 18 February 2026
- Slovak Embassy in New Delhi: Schengen visa
- Slovak Embassy in Baku: Schengen visa and supporting documents
- Slovak Consulate General in New York: study and research national visas
- Slovak Embassy in Ottawa: Youth Mobility Program, updated 26 August 2026
- Official Electronic visa request service; portal access failed, function verified through ministry guidance
- Official ETIAS portal: current operating status
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- European Commission: visa policy and current suspensions
- Council of the European Union: visa policy, reviewed 16 October 2026
- European Union visa nationality regulation, consolidated 30 December 2025
- Your Europe: travel documents for non-EU nationals
- European Commission: common airport transit visa nationality list
- European Commission: additional national airport transit visa requirements
- Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: official consolidated European Union Visa Code, 28 June 2024
- Slovak government regulation on highly qualified national visa applicants: linked English translation
- Slovak government regulation on selected driver national visas: linked English translation
- Slovak government regulation on relocated employees and their families: linked English translation
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from Germany
- Plugs C E FNo adapter
- MoneyEUR €Same as home
- TimeSame timeSame as home
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageSlovak
- Emergency112 or 158 police112 or 155 ambulance
Planning your Slovakia trip
- BratislavaExplore the Old Town, Bratislava Castle and cafés along the Danube.
- Spiš, Bojnice and Orava castlesSpiš is one of Europe's largest castle sites. Bojnice is a popular 19th-century castle, while Orava stands on a rock above the Orava river.
- Banská Štiavnica and KremnicaThese well-preserved medieval towns grew around silver and gold mining. Kremnica has the world's oldest mint still in operation.
- Košice, Trnava and LevočaThese towns have large historic centres worth exploring.
Scams to watch for in Slovakia
- Taxi overchargingDrivers waiting where visitors arrive may charge inflated fares. Taking a waiting taxi or hailing one on the street can cost more than booking ahead.
- Pickpocketing in crowds and stationsPickpockets may steal belongings in crowded places or at major transport stations. No specific distraction or theft technique is described.
- Inflated bills at establishmentsVisitors may be overcharged. Asking for a printed receipt helps you check the bill and keep a record of what you paid.
About Slovakia
Slovakia is a landlocked republic in Central Europe, bordering Poland, Hungary, Austria and Czechia.
- Capital
- Bratislava
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- Slovak
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +421
Other Europe passports
Going to Slovakia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Slovakia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do german citizens need a visa for Slovakia?
German citizens can visit, live and work in Slovakia without a visa.
Do slovak citizens need a visa for Germany?
Slovak citizens do not need a visa for Germany. Show your passport at the border.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Slovakia?
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Slovakia are easier for german citizens?
Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland Slovenia, and 3 more let german citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Slovakia?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Slovakia?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Slovakia?
Slovak.
How strong is the Germany passport?
It ranks #6 and reaches 156 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck