Political overview
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic were established as independent states on 1 January 1993 from the territory of the former Czechoslovakia. The Slovak Republic's national day is its Constitution Day on 1 September, which commemorates the adoption of the Slovak Constitution by its National Council in 1992.
The Slovak Republic is a parliamentary democratic republic. Legislative power is held in a unicameral parliament (the National Council) in which 150 Deputies (members of parliament) are elected for four-year terms on a proportional representation basis (i.e. parties are allocated seats in parliament in proportion to the share of votes they received in the election). The President, which is largely a ceremonial role, is the Slovak Republic's head of state and commander-in-chief of the Slovak Armed Forces. The President is elected to a five-year term by direct election and may only serve two consecutive terms. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President following the National Council elections, usually as leader of the Party with the most members of parliament in the National Council. The President appoints ministers, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, to form the Cabinet. The Government is accountable to the National Council.
Foreign policy
In the Slovak Republic's 2023 Government Program Statement, the 'foreign and European policy' section pledges to pursue a sovereign and active foreign policy and protect its national interests. The Slovak Republic continues to focus on integration into the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the European Union (EU), while orienting its foreign policy 'in all four cardinal directions'. Economic diplomacy and responding to global instability are also listed as key foreign policy priorities.
The Slovak Republic became a member of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 1993, the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, the OECD in 2000 and NATO in 2004. The Slovak Republic joined the European Union in 2004, including the Schengen area from 2007 and the Eurozone from 2009. The Slovak Republic has been a member of the Visegrad Group (V4) since 1993.
Bilateral relations
Australia and the Slovak Republic share friendly and cooperative relations and work together on shared interests bilaterally and in multilateral forums.
Following the passing of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 which created Australian citizenship, Jan Jandura Pucek of Czechoslovakia became the first naturalised Australian.
Australia and the Slovak Republic (also known as Slovakia) established diplomatic relations upon the foundation of the Slovak Republic in 1993.
The Australian Embassy in Vienna is accredited to the Slovak Republic.
The Slovak Republic has an embassy in Canberra, a consulate-general in Sydney and consulates in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.
Fast facts
Slovak visitors to Australia (visitor arrivals – 2024)
3,820
Australian visitors to the Slovak Republic (resident returns – 2024)
3,770
Resident Australian population born in the Slovak Republic (2021 census)
4,781
Australian residents of Slovak descent (2021 census)
13,338
High level engagement
- 2015 – Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák visited Australia.
- 2013 – Former Governor General the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO led a European Australian Business Council (EABC) delegation to the Slovak Republic.
Agreements and arrangements with the Slovak Republic Double Taxation (1999)
- Trade and Economic Cooperation (2000)
- Social Security (2012)
- Work and Holiday Visa (2015)
A comprehensive list of bilateral agreements and texts is available at the Australian Treaties Database.
Public diplomacy
The Embassy supports a range of activities in the Slovak Republic to promote Australian culture and trade and investment and emphasise Australia's work to uphold internationally agreed rules and norms that underpin our prosperity. The Embassy regularly engages with senior government representatives, businesses, universities, and the alumni community.
Economic diplomacy
Two-way goods and services trade between Australia and the Slovak Republic was valued at $817 million in 2024. Trade was weighed heavily in the Slovak Republic's favour. Imports from the Slovak Republic to Australia were valued at $778.2 million, including $545.6 million in passenger motor vehicles. Australian exports to the Slovak Republic were valued at $39.6million.
More economic and trade information can be found in the Slovak Republic country economic factsheet [PDF 305 KB]
Business
Australian companies with business interests in the Slovak Republic include Howe Leather (leather upholstery), Macquarie Group (infrastructure), Prospech (mining), Hannans Ltd (lithium battery recycling).
Austrade's office in Prague is responsible for the Slovak Republic.
Australian Embassy
The Australian Embassy in Vienna is responsible for relations with the Slovak Republic.
General consular enquiries: consular.vienna@dfat.gov.au
Travel
See Smartraveller for information on travelling to the Slovak Republic.