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Overview

Capital: Bratislava

Official EU language(s): Slovak

EU member country: since 1 May 2004

Currency: euro. Euro area member since 1 January 2009

SchengenSchengen area member since 21 December 2007

FiguresGeographical size - population - gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in PPS

Political system

Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a head of government - the prime minister - who holds the most executive power and a head of state - the president - who is the formal head of the executive, but with very limited powers. The country is subdivided into 8 regions, each named after its principal city. These have been given a certain degree of autonomy since 2002.

Location on the EU map

Trade and economy

The most important sectors of Slovakia’s economy in 2020 were industry (24.1%), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (18.4%) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (16.8%).

Intra-EU trade accounts for 79% of Slovakia’s exports (Germany 22%, Czechia 11% and Poland 8%), while outside the EU 4% go to both the United States and the United Kingdom and 3% to China.

In terms of imports, 80% come from EU countries (Germany 20%, Czechia 18% and Austria 9%), while outside the EU 4% come from South Korea and China and 3% from Russia.

Slovakia in the EU

European Parliament

There are 14 members of the European Parliament from Slovakia. Find out who these MEPs are.

European Parliament office in Slovakia

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Slovak government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Slovak presidencies:

Jul-Dec 2016

Presidency of the Council of the EU

Current presidency of the Council of the EU

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Slovakia to the European Commission is Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Slovakia

European Economic & Social Committee

Slovakia has 9 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

European Committee of the Regions

Slovakia has 9 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Slovakia also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Slovakia's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Slovakia pay and receive?

How much each EU country pays into the EU budget is calculated fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa.

The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather focuses on the needs of Europeans as a whole.

Figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Slovakia

The money paid into the EU budget by Slovakia helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.

Find out more about how Slovakia benefits from EU funding.