About Slovakia

Every person has their own story, but many of us are united by the fact that, due to a twist of fate, we found ourselves in a new country where we must build a new life as quickly as possible. We hope that our portal Expaterra can help you!

So, Slovakia: a country of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone can find their home amidst picturesque landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.

Culture and lifestyle

Slovakia is a country with a rich cultural heritage, a unique way of life, and authentic cuisine.

Slovak culture has been shaped by the influence of neighboring peoples, including Czechs, Hungarians, Austrians, and Ukrainians. Folk traditions are deeply rooted and manifest in music, dance, and architecture. The annual folklore festival "Vychodna" showcases traditional customs and attracts participants from around the world. The village of Vlkolínec, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is known for its traditional wooden architecture.

Slovaks value family and hospitality. Outdoor activities, including hiking in the Tatras and visiting thermal springs, are an integral part of life. Many residents prefer a relaxed pace of life, combining traditions with modern trends.

Slovak cuisine is rich and diverse, with an emphasis on meat dishes, potatoes, cabbage, and dairy products. One of the national dishes is bryndzové halušky — potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon. Cabbage soup and various types of sausages are also popular. Traditional desserts include poppy seed and nut rolls. Slovakia is known for its wines, especially from the regions of Malokarpatska and Tokaji, as well as beer, which is valued for its high quality.

Slovakia shows significant achievements in various fields. In 2023, Slovakia ranked 29th in the World Happiness Index, rising six positions compared to the previous year. Although Slovakia does not hold leading positions in global rankings, it demonstrates steady development and improvement in various areas.

However, in some international rankings, Slovakia holds low positions, reflecting certain challenges the country faces. According to a study by BestBrokers, Slovakia and the Czech Republic ranked last in the European housing affordability index, indicating high housing prices relative to residents' incomes. In 2024, Slovakia ranked 59th in the competitiveness ranking of the world's largest economies, compiled by the International Institute for Management Development. Compared to the previous year, the country dropped four positions, indicating a decline in the efficiency of government management and business. 

Local Language

Learning Slovak can present certain challenges for foreigners, depending on their native language and previous experience learning other Slavic languages. The Slovak language has seven cases, each affecting the endings of nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and numerals. Verbs are inflected by person, number, tense, and mood. There are short and long vowels in Slovak, where length changes the word's meaning. Slovak has strict accent rules, with the accent always on the first syllable. Despite belonging to the Slavic language group, Slovak has many borrowings from German, Hungarian, and Czech, which can confuse learners. There are three main dialects in Slovakia (Western, Central, and Eastern) which can significantly differ from standard Slovak. Despite the challenges, learning Slovak helps integrate better into society, discover new opportunities, and understand Slovakia's rich culture.