Banks, offering services in Slovakia, are usually members of international corporations offering ordinary banking services, such as current accounts and subaccounts, domestic and foreign payments, electronic banking, debit and credit cards, cheques, deposit products, securities, private banking, unit trusts, mortgage financing, loans, exchange and even insurance services.

A list of banks is available at the website of the Slovak Banking Association

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00/18:00. Some branches remain open even longer, and some are open on Saturdays and in some cases on Sundays (only in shopping centres). For more details, you should consult the website of the particular bank.

How to open a bank account

To open a bank account in Slovakia, a non-Slovak citizen will need to meet several conditions and provide information, which varies across banks. You need to provide one or two identification documents, while one of them must include a photo and the residence address. You may be asked for information about the correspondence address and in some banks for your residence permit. An application form may be requested to be filled in. A deposit of a minimum balance may be required by some banks. Depending on the bank and the type of account, you may also be asked to provide additional documents, such as proof of tax residency. Opening a bank account is generally free of charge. The monthly fees for the maintenance of the account vary from bank to bank and depend on whether it is in euro or in foreign currency. Closing a bank account is generally free of charge; however, fees may apply depending on the bank's terms and conditions.

Foreign citizens from the EU usually only need an ID card or passport. Some banks may additionally request proof of Slovak address (e.g., lease agreement). Non-EU nationals are often required to provide a residence permit or a confirmation of employment. Without it, some banks may refuse to open an account.
It is recommended to contact the bank in advance to check the required documents, or to visit a branch with a Slovak-speaking colleague, as not all bank staff speak English.

Popular banks for foreign residents include Tatra banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Fio banka, and 365.bank. Some of them offer accounts with no monthly fees if certain conditions are met. Several banks also offer mobile banking apps in English and allow you to open an account online. However, this may not always be available to foreigners without permanent residence.

Credit & debit cards

If you have a current account in euro, a debit card is mostly issued within a service package. A credit card is issued independently of an account. Major credit cards (American Express, Diners' Club, Visa, Eurocard/MasterCard) and debit cards (Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard) may be used for cash withdrawal from cash dispensers (ATM) as well as for payments in hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations. Credit cards can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, although additional fees may apply. For further information on commercial acceptability and other services consult your card issuer.

Note: Some banks offer mobile payment options such as Google Pay or Apple Pay. These services are supported by most major banks in Slovakia.

Travellers' cheques

Travellers' cheques are no longer commonly used in Slovakia and are accepted only in very limited cases. Visitors are recommended to use payment cards, mobile payments or cash withdrawals from ATMs instead. International money transfer services, such as Western Union, are also available.

Currency and exchange rate

The official currency in Slovakia is the euro (since 1 January 2009). Denominations: 1 euro (1 €) = 100 cents (100 c). Euro banknotes are available in 5 €, 10 €, 20 €, 50 €, 100 €, 200 € and 500 € denominations (the €500 banknote is no longer issued but remains legal tender). Euro coins are available in 1 and 2 euros, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

The website of the National Bank of Slovakia "Národná banka Slovenska" offers updated information on exchange and interest rates and other financial data. Note that the exchange rate of a commercial bank may vary slightly.