Driving in Slovakia from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Slovakia? You need:
- An electronic vignette, bought on eznamka.sk before you use the motorways From €8.10 a day, even if you're just passing through. See below
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Still have an old paper licence? You need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint) Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- A passport for everyone in the car See the passport rules for Slovakia below
- A warning triangle and a hi-vis vest within reach Plus a spare wheel and tools, or a tyre repair kit
- Dipped headlights on at all times, set for driving on the right Many newer cars adjust for the right from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
- No alcohol at all before driving
🛂 Your border check happens before Slovakia
Driving through France, Germany and Austria or Czechia? You enter the Schengen area when you cross the Channel, so your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, at Dover, Folkestone or your arrival port. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for Slovakia →The electronic vignette (e-známka)
You need a vignette to drive on Slovakia's motorways and expressways, even just passing through. It's electronic only, linked to your number plate. There's no sticker, so ignore older advice about buying one at the border.
ℹ️ GOV.UK's advice on this is out of date
GOV.UK's Slovakia travel advice (last updated 28 August 2026) still says you must display a vignette sticker on your windscreen and can buy one at border crossings and petrol stations.
The official Slovak motorway vignette site says the vignette is electronic, linked to your number plate, and that you should buy it only through its official sales channels (the eznamka.sk website, the eZnamka app or official sales points). We follow the official Slovak source, and our daily check compares both, so we'll update this note when GOV.UK changes its advice.
Evidence: GOV.UK Slovakia advice, Tolls · eznamka.sk (official vignette site) · eznamka.sk electronic vignette types and prices
Speed limits in Slovakia
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways and expressways | 130 km/h≈ 81 mph |
| Roads outside towns | 90 km/h≈ 56 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
Motorways inside towns are 90 km/h. Many main roads are single carriageways where overtaking is risky, and road markings can be faded, so take care.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Zero alcohol
The limit is zero for alcohol and drugs. Penalties include a fine of up to €1,300, losing your licence and possible prison.
💡 Headlights on at all times
Dipped headlights must be on whenever you drive, all year. Daytime running lights can be used instead, except in poor visibility.
🦺 Vest within reach
Keep the hi-vis vest within reach of the driver, and wear it if you get out on the road in an emergency.
🚑 Rescue lane
In heavy traffic on motorways and dual carriageways, leave a gap for emergency vehicles.
📵 Hands-free phones only
Holding or operating a phone while driving is banned.
👮 On-the-spot fines
Police can fine you at the roadside, and can take your licence, registration document or number plates.
❄️ Winter tyres Whenever it's wintry
Whenever there's ice, frost or continuous snow on the road, cars must have winter tyres marked with the snowflake symbol or M+S. There are no fixed dates, so plan for them from about November to March.
GOV.UK advises equipping your car for severe winter conditions, especially in the mountains.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112, or 155 for an ambulance, 150 for fire and 158 for the police.
- Put on your hi-vis vest before you get out, and place the warning triangle behind the car if it's safe to.
- After an accident, call the police if anyone is hurt or the damage looks greater than €3,900. Otherwise, fill in a European Accident Statement.
Hiring a car in Slovakia instead
- Hire companies may want a year's driving experience, an age above the legal minimum, and an international driving permit, so check first.
- Slovak hire cars should have a vignette: check before you drive on the motorway.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
Do I need a vignette to drive through Slovakia?
Yes, to use Slovak motorways and expressways, even if you're only passing through. It's electronic and linked to your number plate. For a car in 2026: €8.10 for a day, €10.80 for 10 days, €17.10 for 30 days or €90 for a year.
Where should I buy the Slovak vignette?
From the official sellers only: the eznamka.sk website, the eZnamka app or official sales points (Slovak post offices have sold it since November 2026). The Slovak motorway company warns that reseller websites charge extra for the same vignette, and drivers lose millions of euros a year that way. There's no sticker to collect at the border.
Can I drive around Bratislava without a vignette?
Yes. The whole outer Bratislava bypass on the D4 can be used free of charge.
Do I need winter tyres in Slovakia?
Yes, whenever there's ice, frost or continuous snow on the road, cars must have winter tyres marked with the snowflake symbol or M+S. There are no fixed dates.
What do I need to carry in my car in Slovakia?
A warning triangle and a hi-vis vest within reach of the driver, which you must wear if you get out on the road in an emergency, plus a spare wheel and tools or a tyre repair kit.
What is the drink-drive limit in Slovakia?
Zero, for alcohol and drugs. Penalties include a fine of up to €1,300, losing your licence and possible prison.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Slovakia travel advice, road travel · International driving permits · UK stickers · Insurance abroad
- Slovakia: Vignette prices (eznamka.sk) · Official vignette shop · Official sales channels (2 Nov 2026) · Vignette FAQ · Vignette checks · Vignette news · Road traffic rules (slovensko.sk)
- EU: Your Europe: road rules in Slovakia