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Due to its placement in Central Europe, our little big country is surrounded by quite a few EU member states. In this article, we will focus on Slovakia’s borders, and answer some questions about its geography.
Being in Central Europe, the Slovak Republic is a landlocked country. Bordered by Poland to the north, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, Ukraine to the east, and the Czech Republic to the northwest.
Read more to find out facts and details about Slovakia’s borders, how they came to be, and even some facts about the nature of the borders our little big country has.
If you want to buy Slovak gifts or useful Slovak products, you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
How Many Countries Border Slovakia
Slovakia is bordered by five central European countries. Those being Austria in the west, Czechia in the northwest, Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, and Hungary in the south. Its largest border is with Hungary, while its shortest border is with Ukraine.
Most of its borders are marked by nature. For example, the Danube River follows the Slovak-Hungarian border for over 110 kilometers. On its border with Poland, there is a significant mark in the north, the High Tatras. Part of which is split between Slovakia and Poland respectively.
Slovak borders with Hungary and Austria are mostly flat, they border the country in the flat regions filled with plains.
Slovakia Borders Map
As seen in the map above, Slovakia is a landlocked country, bordering five different countries (Czechia, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Austria). It is also part of the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area includes 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and other types of border control at their borders.
The Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Hungary are all members of the Schengen Area as well. This means traveling between these countries is very easy and fast.
TIP: Due to Slovakia being in Central Europe, you are only a short distance away from other huge cities with airports. Find out everything about Slovak airports in the article below:
Airports in Slovakia: International, How Many & More Facts
What Countries Does Slovakia Border
Slovakia borders exactly five countries, and those are Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, and Hungary. By far the longest border it has, is with Hungary in the south, going from one end of the country to the other. Followed by Polish, Czech, Austrian, and Ukrainian borders.
Slovakia has close ties with all of its neighbors. Particularly the Czech Republic, as they used to be a singular state, Czechoslovakia. Slovakia is also in an alliance, called the Visegrád Group. Which consists of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The alliance aims to advance cooperation in military, economic, cultural, and energy affairs, and to further its integration with the EU.
TIP: Check out my list of recommended Slovak products. They are perfect as gifts, or you will use them during your visit to Slovakia (Amazon links)
- Slovakia Flag
- The book about Slovak History
- Slovak Travel Guide
- Slovakia Adventure Map (by National Geographic)
- T-shirt with Slovakia Flag
- Slovakia Shot Glass
- Legendary Horalky Biscuit (Original)
Does Poland Border Slovakia
Yes, Poland has a border with Slovakia. It is also Slovakia’s second-longest border, spanning 541 kilometers. Second only to its border with Hungary, which spans 654 kilometers, covering its entire southern part.
Slovakia borders Poland in the north of its central and eastern parts. This border was established in 1993, after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
The border with Slovakia runs from Jaworzynka Trzycatek through the Glinka Pass, Pilsko, Babia Góra, Chyżne, crosses the Orava valley, the main ridge of the Tatra Mountains, runs along the Białka valley, along the Dunajec valley, through the Pieniny, the Poprad valley, through the Dukla Pass and the Łupków Pass, to the Uzhok pass.
A significant mark on the border is the High Tatras. These famous mountains are split on the border with Poland. The majority of the mountains are located within Slovakia, but a part of them is located in Poland.
TIP: Slovak and Polish (and Czech) belong to the Western Branch of the Slavs. Check out the main similarities and differences in the article below:
Why Slovak and Polish Are NOT the Same (with 6 Examples)
Does Ukraine Border Slovakia
Ukraine does border Slovakia in the west. The border with Ukraine in the east is actually Slovakia’s smallest border. Spanning only 97 kilometers. Not that much smaller than the second smallest Slovak border with Austria at just 106 kilometers.
The border with Ukraine was inherited from the times of the Soviet Union, after its fall, the border stayed basically identical.
In regards to recent events in Ukraine, the Slovak government has issued a number of statements and rules for Ukrainian refugees wanting to cross the border.
Visa is not required for Ukrainian nationals, and they are guaranteed a temporary stay within the country. Three border crossings are always working, those being Vyšné Nemecké, Ubľa, and Veľké Slemence.
Does Slovakia Border Italy
Slovakia does not border Italy. As Slovakia is a Central European country, located in the middle of Europe. Italy is located in the south of Europe, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Italy and Slovakia have a shared border with Austria, if you wish to travel from one to the other by car or train, going through Austria might be the fastest option.
At one point in history though, Slovakia did technically have a border with Italy. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th century, Slovakia was part of the Kingdom of Hungary joined by the Austrian Empire, and it had its borders right by Italy.
After World War I and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Slovakia has never bordered Italy again.
Does Slovakia Border Germany
No, Slovakia does not border Germany. Slovakia is located roughly 240 kilometers from Germany and does not have any borders with it.
Slovakia did border Germany throughout history. In the twentieth century, Slovakia as part of Czechoslovakia did border Germany.
In March of 1939, after declaring independence from Czechoslovakia, the Slovak part of the country became the Slovak State. Which did border the German occupied Austria and Czechia, thus bordering Germany.
In modern times, however, Slovakia does not have any kind of borders with Germany.
TIP: How well do people in Slovakia speak the English language? Read the article below before your arrival in Slovakia:
Do Slovaks speak English? Read This Before Your Arrival
Conclusion
Slovakia borders exactly 5 neighboring Central European countries. These countries are Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Its longest border is with Hungary, spanning 654 kilometers. Next is the border with Poland, at 541 kilometers, followed by the border with the Czech Republic at 251 kilometers. The last two shortest borders are with Austria, which is 106 kilometers long. And lastly the border with Ukraine at only 97 kilometers.
Most of the borders of Slovakia have followed natural formations like mountains, rivers, and more. Two of the more famous border sights are the Danube River, which flows for over 130 kilometers along the Slovak-Hungarian border.
As well as the High Tatras mountains, which are split between Slovakia and Poland. Slovakia is also a part of the Schengen Area. Which is an area comprised of 26 European countries, which have signed an agreement to abolish their shared border controls and passports requirements.
If you look back in history, you can see that Slovakia did technically border Germany and Italy. Slovakia had a border with Germany in the Second World War.
Slovakia’s borders with Italy, even though these states are quite far away from each other, did technically exist with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As it had direct borders with Italy in the 19th and 20th centuries.
TIP: Slovakia and Slovenia, these two countries that are causing confusion for many people. Find out the main differences in the article below:
Is Slovakia the Same as Slovenia? How to Never Get Wrong Again