Traveling to Slovakia from Canada with ETIAS

Canadian citizens will soon need an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Slovakia from Canada visa-free.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will be introduced in 2026. It will be a mandatory requirement for Canadian tourists visiting Slovakia once the ETIAS system is fully implemented.

Applying for ETIAS Slovakia from Canada will be a fast and straightforward online process. This page explains what Canadians need to register for the new European visa waiver.

Do Canadians need a visa for Slovakia?

Canadians do not need a visa to travel to Slovakia for up to 90 days for tourism or on business.

However, from 2026, Canadians will need to apply for ETIAS before travelling to Slovakia.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa. Visitors who meet the ETIAS requirements for Canadians will still be able to enter the country visa-free.

Canadians need a visa for Slovakia if they wish to stay for longer than 90 days or other purposes.

Etias-Slovakia-for-canadians

How can Canadians apply for ETIAS to visit Slovakia?

Canadians need to apply for the travel authorisation before visiting Slovakia by completing a simple online form.

The Slovakia ETIAS application form for Canadians requires:

  • The citizen’s full name
  • Their date and place of birth
  • Their Canadian passport details: including the date and country of issue, and its expiry date
  • Answers to questions related to security

Travellers will have the opportunity to carefully revise all the data provided before finalizing their request for the ETIAS for Slovakia from Canada.

This is a very important step in which Canadian citizens must ensure:

  • That their application is free of errors
  • That they have completed their data exactly as it appears on the bio page of their passport

Any mistakes or discrepancies may cause delays or, in rare cases, rejection.

To finalize the ETIAS application process for Slovakia, visitors will be required to complete their payment using a valid debit or credit card. All applications will then be screened and cross-checked against security databases.

Once the screening process is complete, the applicant will receive their Slovakia visa waiver via email. Border authorities will check the validity of the traveller’s passport and ETIAS.

Travelling to Slovakia from Canada with the ETIAS visa waiver

Canadian ETIAS holders will be granted entry into Slovakia and all other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period during the visa waiver’s validity of 3 years. This means that Canadian citizens will be able to enter and travel freely in Slovakia and the countries of the Schengen Area.

Once the ETIAS holder has stayed in Slovakia and/or other member territories for a total of 90 days, they will be required to spend 90 days outside the Schengen Area.

After this time has elapsed, they will be granted entry for another 90-day period, which they may spend within Slovakia or the rest of the EU.

Can I travel to Slovakia from Canada?

The ETIAS visa waiver for Slovakia and the rest of the Schengen Area will be launched in 2026. Until then, Canadians can enter the country for short-term stays without applying for an entry permit for Slovakia.

Please note that although ETIAS for Slovakia will become mandatory, it is not a visa. This means that Canadian citizens who travel to Slovakia will maintain their visa-free status even though they need to complete an application for the ETIAS.

Why will Canadians need a Slovakia visa waiver?

ETIAS is being implemented to strengthen and improve border security Slovakia and the rest of Europe. Visitors to the Schengen Area —including Canadian passport holders— will be screened before their departure towards Slovakia.

ETIAS will make travelling to the Slovak Republic much safer for residents and tourists alike by allowing authorities a better understanding and control of visa-exempt travellers before they board a plane or ship towards the Schengen Area.

Passport and document requirements to visit Slovakia

Nationals who wish to visit Slovakia with an ETIAS need to have a Canadian machine-readable passport valid for at least 3 months past the intended departure date from the Schengen Area to be able to apply for travel authorisation.

The form will have a section that will require applicants to enter their passport details including the passport number, country, and date of issue as well as its expiry date.

Once approved, ETIAS visa waiver for Slovakia will be electronically associated with a specific passport. This means that if the passport used during the ETIAS application expires, it will be necessary to apply for a new ETIAS for Slovakia using the new passport number.

Similarly, Canadian citizens with more than one passport due to dual citizenship need to choose one of their passports to apply for ETIAS with and make sure to use the same document when travelling to Slovakia.

Tourist information for Canadians in Slovakia

Tourists choose Slovakia for several reasons —from outdoor activities to winter sports, hiking, museums, and delicious cuisine.

When is the best time of year to visit Slovakia? For those wishing to try skiing, snowboarding, or other winter sports, it is best to visit Slovakia between November and February. Alternatively, for hikers, birdwatchers or travellers eager to try bear watching, paragliding, skydiving or boating, the months between April and October offer the best conditions.

Health information for travellers to Slovakia

Slovakia has a good healthcare system like many EU countries. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to take out health insurance when travelling as it eliminates the risk of high medical costs in the case of an emergency. Canadian visitors should keep the following points in mind:

  • It is safe to drink tap water in Slovakia
  • Carry any medication in its original packaging
  • The emergency phone number is 112
  • Wear insect repellent and sunscreen when taking part in outdoor activities

When do Canadian citizens need a visa for Slovakia?

Canadian citizens need a visa for Slovakia instead of ETIAS if they:

  • Will stay for longer than 90 days per 180-day period
  • Are visiting for reasons other than tourism or business
  • They do not meet any of the ETIAS eligibility criteria

Visas are obtained through the Slovakian Embassy in Ottawa or consulates in Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver in Canada.

Canadian Embassy in Slovakia

The majority of Canadian visitors in Slovakia experience a safe and enjoyable trip during their travels. However, should they require any assistance during their stay, they may contact the Canadian Embassy in the Republic of Slovakia at the following address, via email, fax, or phone.

Bratislava – Office of the Embassy of Canada:

  • Address: Carlton Savoy Building, Mostova 2, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia
  • Telephone: 421 (2) 5920-4031
  • Fax: 421 (2) 5443-4227
  • Email: brtsv@international.gc.ca