Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US
Ambassador--Peter Burian
3523 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 237-1054
Fax: (202) 237-6438
Diplomatic service (202) 361 6298
Slovakia Republic Embassy in the U.S.

US Diplomatic Representation
Ambassador -- Theodore Sedgwick
P.O. Box 309
814 99 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: (421)-2-5443 3338
Fax: (421)-2-5443 0096
U.S. Embassy in Slovakia


FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S.-SLOVAKIA RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Slovakia in 1993, and provided assistance to support the rebuilding of a healthy democracy and market economy. The United States and Slovakia have strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas. Slovakia has been a close North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and partner. The two countries have a mutual commitment to freedom and human rights. Slovakia has shared its experience in democratic transition with emerging democracies around the world, and has been a role model for other countries on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

U.S. Assistance to Slovakia

The goal of U.S. security assistance to Slovakia is to support Slovakia’s contribution to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations and regional stability. U.S. assistance provides support to Slovakia’s contributions to NATO missions, particularly in Afghanistan. U.S. assistance seeks to help Slovakia consolidate its gains and maintain its development as a positive and stabilizing influence among its neighbors, in the region, and globally.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Slovakia is a member of the European Union (EU), and its major trading partners are European countries. The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, and the United States and the EU continue to pursue initiatives to create new opportunities for transatlantic commerce.

U.S. exports to Slovakia include energy equipment, medical equipment and supplies, electrical and electronic machinery and components, automotive parts and components, chemical products, and plastics. U.S. imports from Slovakia are dominated by Volkswagen and Audi sport utility vehicles that are manufactured in Slovakia. The United States and Slovakia have a bilateral investment treaty. Slovakia participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Slovakia's Membership in International Organizations

Slovakia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Slovakia also is an observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia is Theodore Sedgwick; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Slovakia maintains an embassy in the United States at 3523 International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008; tel. (202) 237-1054.

More information about Slovakia is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Slovakia Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Slovakia Page
U.S. Embassy: Slovakia
History of U.S. Relations With Slovakia
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies (see Czechoslovakia (Former))
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for the Slovak Republic check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit are required
Currency (SKK) Slovak Koruna
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 421, City Code, Bratislava 2+8D, Dunajska Streda 31+7D, Bytca 41+7D



Time zone: Slovakia uses Central European Time (CET) along with other central European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, France, Poland and Italy. Officially it is GMT+1 hour (London), EST+6 hour (New York) PST+9 hour (Los Angeles)

Country telephone code: +421

Local telephone calls
Public phones accept local coinage but most public phones require telephone cards, which can be purchased at post offices, railway stations, department stores, kiosks and hotels.

International telephone calls
To call Bratislava direct from the US or Canada use the international access code 011, the country code 421, the Bratislava city code 7, and then the local number.

Currency
The Slovak unit of currency is the Slovenska koruna (SKK), or Slovak crown. Each crown is divided into 100 haliers. Coins come in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 haliers, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 SKK. Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 SKK. For the current rate of exchange check any major newspaper.

Banks and Money Exchange
Only exchange money in banks and certified exchange offices. Exchanges offices can be found in all major hotels, travel agencies and department stores. They are denoted as ZMENÁREN (Exchange/Cambio/Wechsel). Most freely convertible currencies can be exchanged into Slovak crowns (SKK) at these exchange bureaus.

Credit Cards
EuroCard/MasterCard is accepted at most financial institutions. Banks also accept VISA, American Express, and Eurocheques although with less regularity. At most banks the daily Eurocheque draft is limited to a maximum of 10000 SKK. International hotels also accept most credit cards.

Banks and exchange offices will also exchange hard currency, and there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that may be imported into Slovakia. Avoid exchanging money from individuals on the street. Exporting of Slovak currency is regulated so inquire at the customs office if you plan on taking Slovak crowns with you.

Travelers' checks are generally not accepted in stores, small hotels or restaurants, although Eurocheques are taken at some locations. Banks and exchange offices will exchange travelers' checks for a fee. A convenient way of accessing cash outside business hours is to use an automated teller machine (ATM), usually marked as BANKOMAT (bank machine). Most Slovak ATMs belong to one of the major international banking systems such as MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro or Cirrus.

Credit cards are starting to be widely used and are accepted at most hotels, gas stations, more exclusive restaurants and shops. Usually a purchase has to be over 1000 SKK in order for a merchant to accept VISA, American Express or MasterCard.

Shopping hours
Most establishments are open between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but some take lunch breaks. Many banks close at 3:30 p.m. On Saturdays, most stores close by noon, and few are open on Sundays. Nevertheless, there are some 24-hour convenience shops usually located at gas stations.

Voltage & Adaptors
220 volts / 50 Hz, Slovakia uses the standard continental European "europlug", with 2 round pins, socket and plug system also found in Germany, France, etc.

Emergency phone numbers
Police: 158
Ambulance: 155
Slovak Rescue System: 154
Fire: 150
Directory enquiries: 120,121
International telephone/fax exchange: 0123-5

The above numbers are valid anywhere in the Slovak Republic

Holidays
Jan. 1 New Year's Day
Jan. 6 The Three Wise Men
March/April Easter
May 1 May Day
July 5 Introduction of Christianity
Aug. 29 Slovak National Uprising of 1944
Sept. 1 Constitution Day
Sept. 15 St Maria's Day
Nov. 1 All Saints Day
Dec. 24, 25, 26 Christmas Holiday Break


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Currency.................No import/export of czech currency

Tobacco..................200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco

Liquor.....................1 litre of spirits; 2 litres of wine

Perfume..................Reasonable for personal use

Gifts........................Up to the value of sk3000

Cameras.................Should be declared on arrival

Film........................Reasonable for personal use

Agriculture Items....Refer to consulate



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