World Country Guide

Food & drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Exercise caution in rural areas. Bottled mineral water is available in grocers’ shops and restaurants. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption.

Other risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas. Walkers and campers should take precautions against tick bites by wearing long trousers. Vaccination is advisable. Lyme disease is present.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay; for more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality.
Medical insurance is mandatory for nationals of countries with no reciprocal health agreement: without this, entry may be refused. Make sure the doctor or dentist you see is contracted to the main health insurance company. You will have to pay a non-refundable contribution. If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you will be charged for treatment and may not be able to get a refund. Some basic emergency dental treatment is available free of charge, but you will have to pay a non-refundable contribution. There is a non-refundable flat fee for each prescription, and you may have to contribute to the cost of the medicine itself. Pharmacies can give you a list of nationally subsidised drugs. A doctor can refer you to hospital, or you can go to the casualty ward of a hospital for emergency treatment. You will have to pay a daily charge (up to a maximum of 21 days) each time you are admitted. All other services and medicines are normally free, but there may be substantial non-refundable charges for complex procedures. If you go to hospital but are not admitted, you will also have to pay a fee. If a doctor asks for an ambulance for you, you will be charged a non-refundable fee. If the doctor doesn't think you need an ambulance, you will have to make your own arrangements. In a life-saving emergency, there is no charge for ambulance travel. More information can be obtained from the Slovak Ministry of Health (website: www.health.gov.sk).