Local Law Enforcement
All persons present in Slovakia are subject to its laws and regulations. Even unintended or unknown violation of Slovak laws may result in detention, arrest or fine.
All foreign persons physically present in Slovakia are required by law to carry a passport at all times. It is not sufficient to carry a photocopy of the passport instead of the real one, although it is recommended that you keep a photocopy of passport in a safe place. The police have right to ask foreigners for identification, and only a passport showing legal entry and/or legal residency status is adequate evidence. A document other than a passport may not be considered a sufficient proof of identity and legal status in Slovakia. If you are asked for your passport with residency permit and you do not have it, you risk a spot fine and/or detention by the police until your identity can be confirmed.
Please be aware that Slovak law imposes a duty on holders of Slovak-issued personal IDs and official documents to safeguard them from theft or loss, otherwise a fine of 165€ is charged as a penalty regardless of fault. This applies in general to all documents issued by the Slovak authorities, such as personal IDs, passports, residency permits.
Taking photographs of military establishments or any object of security interest may also result in conflict with the authorities.
Smuggling, possession, and use of drugs even in small amounts is a crime and may result in severe penalties and arrest.
Some towns may have adopted their own regulations for which penalties may be imposed, for example:
All foreign persons physically present in Slovakia are required by law to carry a passport at all times. It is not sufficient to carry a photocopy of the passport instead of the real one, although it is recommended that you keep a photocopy of passport in a safe place. The police have right to ask foreigners for identification, and only a passport showing legal entry and/or legal residency status is adequate evidence. A document other than a passport may not be considered a sufficient proof of identity and legal status in Slovakia. If you are asked for your passport with residency permit and you do not have it, you risk a spot fine and/or detention by the police until your identity can be confirmed.
Please be aware that Slovak law imposes a duty on holders of Slovak-issued personal IDs and official documents to safeguard them from theft or loss, otherwise a fine of 165€ is charged as a penalty regardless of fault. This applies in general to all documents issued by the Slovak authorities, such as personal IDs, passports, residency permits.
Taking photographs of military establishments or any object of security interest may also result in conflict with the authorities.
Smuggling, possession, and use of drugs even in small amounts is a crime and may result in severe penalties and arrest.
Some towns may have adopted their own regulations for which penalties may be imposed, for example:
- Under the regulations of the town Martin it is an offense to drink alcohol at the street. (with the exception of officially organized markets and outside seating at licensed restaurants and bars).
- Local law restricts noise between 10.00pm and 6.00am. Noisy and unruly behavior in the streets may also attract attention of the police and may result in fines or detention for causing a public nuisance.
