Slovakia is a small country in Central-Eastern Europe with a population of only 5 million. It joined the EU in 2004.
The country is very scenic. Although it is on the mainland, there are mountains, lakes, forests and many sites of historical and cultural interest.
In general, Slovaks are conservative and quite closed. They are traditionalists and not very innovative. Many think in clichés. For this reason, they generally reject foreigners and minorities.
Of course, it is not a recommended country if you are gay or want to meet extroverted people with whom you can easily make friends and organize something other than drinking beer.
The cost of living is generally low. Actually, you think that everything is cheaper than in other Western European countries, but in reality many things cost the same as in other countries. Services are certainly cheaper, but food and consumer goods are usually not so cheap.
The school is free, even if the quality of education is not so good. In Slovakia there are only a few top universities and the offer of study programs is not very wide. For this reason, those who aspire to better career opportunities should consider studying in other European countries.
The health care system is free. There are well-qualified professionals and the medical care itself is acceptable, but hospitals are old or inadequately equipped due to lack of funds.
Slovakia is a very safe country with an extremely low crime rate. Although robberies occur as they do in every other part of the world, and therefore one must take the usual precautions, there are virtually no violent crimes. It is one of the safest countries in the European Union. Corruption, on the other hand, is a plague. Suffice it to say that it is the second most corrupt country in Europe.
The weather is certainly not the best you can find. The average annual temperature ranges from 5 °C to 8 °C with extremes from -10 to 35 °C. In winter, the days are short, dark and cold. Summers, especially in the capital, are always very hot due to the lack of parks and green spaces.
The Slovak language is quite difficult to learn, but if you decide to move here for the long term, knowledge of it is essential.
If you want to work, even for people who do not speak Slovak, there are several opportunities in one of the many multinational companies with branches in the country.
If you have a good university degree and speak English or German, you should have no trouble finding a job. The government encourages qualified immigrants to come to the country, as the demand for skilled workers is high.
Good opportunity for engineers in one of the country’s many car factories. There are also opportunities in IT in the two largest cities of Bratislava and Kosice.
Useful job search websites for expatriates:
- Profesia.sk, the most popular job search portal
Employment agencies
Living and working in Slovakia, pros and cons
Living and working in Slovakia, pros
- It is part of the European Union
- Very beautiful nature and environment low cost of living low crime rate
- Free school and healthcare
Living and working in Slovakia, cons
- Narrow-minded people
- Low income
- Lack of a multicultural society
Living and working in Slovakia, conclusion
If you have a decent salary (over €1,000 per month), you will have a good quality of life. It is a country where the services work very well, and unlike many other countries in Europe, you will not have to give much of your salary to pay for them.
In summary, if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful life without stress, Slovakia is an option to consider. Its low population, low crime rate and excellent location make it a good place to live. On the other hand, if you are looking for parties and a “big city” lifestyle, Slovakia might be boring for you, because it is still a country that is more rural than urban.
