Slovakia is a small EU country with a population of 5.5 million. Although the standard of living in Slovakia is below the European average, the friendly attitude of the authorities towards the migrants, the location in the heart of Europe and the EU membership are one of the advatages of living in Slovakia.
Slovakia has stable economy and low prices. This phenomena can be also perceived as other advantages of living standard in Slovakia. Slovakia offers free movement within EU countries, many recreational opportunities, a lot of national parks, tourist attractions, thermal springs, ski resorts and lakes.
Advantages of living in Slovakia
Strategic location
The one of the best advantages of living in Slovakia is the strategic position of Slovakia. People who like travelling will have opportunity to visit great European capitals close by Bratislava, such as Vienna (an hour away by bus), Budapest (three hours away by train), Prague (four hours away by train) or Brno (cca an hour away from Bratislava). If you are working in Slovakia, you can prepare your weekend plans to visit each one of them. The transport from Bratislava to any of the capitals is cheap. Moreover, train transport is free for students and retired people.
Capital city offers a lot of events, interesting concerts, a party zone, nightlife, language schools or shopping centres.
Finding a job
If you speak Slovak, you will have no problem to find good job for you. If you do not speak Slovak but you know English or any other world language, you will be welcomed by big companies. Bratislava offers many positions in multinational companies such as IBM, Johnson Controls, Dell or Amazon.
Euro
All bordering countries to Slovakia use their own currency but Slovakia has adopted many years ago the euro. This advantage is especially useful when we travel and thus we do not need to change the local currency to foreign currency.
Real estate
The accommodation in Bratislava is more expensive than in the other towns of Slovakia but prices are relatively low. Prices for apartments in modern residential complexes with developed infrastructure can vary from 180,000 € to 400,000 €.
Activities
There are many activites to keep foreigners amused in Slovakia. Every region offers many possibilities for hiking, relaxing in a spa or visiting local cultural attractions. Slovakia is a place with many historical castles dating back to the Habsburg Empire, as well as various UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Slovak mountains offer opportunities for hiking, fresh air, mineral springs, caves, lakes and campgrounds for tourists who love nature. You can find here also many spas.
People
Foreigners always feel welcome in Slovakia. Slovak people are lovely, engaging people as well as open, honest, hardworking and always willing to help. Locals tend to love nature and are proud of their attractions.
Business
Slovakia is a country which is still open to new busines and tries to attract new investors and entrepreneurs. Locals are open to new ideas, inovative business plans and the right strategies. Foreign businessmen will immediately find out what kind of products or services could be useful for the market.
The most profitable business opportunities are: tourist, catering, handmade cosmetics or processing of agricultural products.
Opportunities for study
The most prestigious educational opportunities in Slovakia are offered in Comenius University (Bratislava), Slovak Technical University (Bratislava), Mathew Bela University (Banska Bystrica) and Zilina University (Zilin).
Studying in Slovakia has many benefits, such as possibility of free education of foreign nationals in Slovak, a scholarship for students with excellent results, own system of entrance tests or registration of permanent residence for the period of study.
Disadvantages of living in Slovakia
The language
Slovak is a difficult language to learn because of its grammar, phonetics and vocabulary.
Food quality
The quality of food is not as good as in other countries, such as for example in Austria or Germany. The same product can vary in how it’s made from one country to another and also in its nutritional value.
Customer service
Foreigners are often charged for services that are usually free abroad and should be perceived as an added value or bonus.
Prices of consumer goods and services
Slovakia has a low level of food prices but gasoline, telecommunication services and utility bills cost the locals quite expensive.