Border Crossing Slovakia Czech Republic

Length of the border crossings

The total length of the border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic is 251.8 km, of which 71 km is formed by rivers. It covers various geographical regions such as the White Carpathians, the Javorníky Mountains, and the Western Beskids, which points to several possible crossing points in these areas. Not all border crossings are officially regulated; some are merely road crossings.

Border controls and entry requirements

With both countries joining the Schengen Area in 2007, systematic border controls were abolished. Since joining the EU and the Schengen Agreement, Slovakia has developed significantly, and its perception of the EU has solidified amid current challenges. This means that both EU citizens and citizens of other countries can cross the border crossing point without passport control. Nevertheless, there are occasional temporary border controls, particularly for security or migration-related reasons.

For EU citizens, entry into Slovakia and the Czech Republic is straightforward. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient. Citizens of other countries should inform themselves about specific visa requirements, which can vary depending on their country of origin.

General information about the currency

In Slovakia, payments are made in Euro (EUR), while in the Czech Republic the Czech koruna (CZK) is the national currency. Travelers should therefore ensure they have the appropriate currency with them or inform themselves in advance about currency exchange offices and ATMs at the border crossing. Nevertheless, both countries, independently of one another, are each a member state of the EU.

Toll payments are made electronically in both countries. It is recommended to purchase both the digital vignette for Slovakia and the digital vignette for the Czech Republic online in advance.

The most important border crossings and some special features

There are a total of 27 former border crossings between Slovakia and the Czech Republic that can be used for controls, including:

• 17 road crossings

• 7 railway crossings

• 3 waterway crossings

Some important geographical points along the border are:

• The tripoint of Austria-Slovakia-Czech Republic at the confluence of the Thaya and the March: A striking point where three countries meet.

• The Vlára Pass: A significant pass crossing.

• The Lysá Pass between Horní Lideč and Lysá pod Makytou: Another important crossing point.

• The tripoint of Poland-Slovakia-Czech Republic near Hrčava / Čierne near the Jablunkov Pass: A well-known geographical point of strategic importance.

The most important border crossings in detail are:

Important road crossings:

• Brodské - Lanžhot (D2): A main crossing in the west on the motorway. The first section Brodské–Kúty (approx. 5 km) is currently temporarily toll-free, while the vignette requirement applies from Kúty towards Bratislava.

• Holíč - Hodonín: An important crossing for regional traffic.

• Skalica - Sudoměřice: Popular among travelers between Slovakia and South Moravia.

• Drietoma - Starý Hrozenkov: An important crossing in the Javorníky Mountains.

• Lysá pod Makytou - Horní Lideč: A significant crossing in the area of the Lysá Pass.

• Svrčinovec - Mosty u Jablunkova: An important crossing in the area of the Poland-Slovakia-Czech Republic tripoint, located in the north of the country.

• Makov - Bílá-Bumbálka: A crossing in the White Carpathians.

• Strelenka - Nedašova Lhota: A smaller regional crossing.

• Velké Karlovice - Makov: A crossing in the Western Beskids area.

• Hodonín - Kopčany: A local crossing.

• Uherský Brod - Vlárský průsmyk: A crossing at the Vlára Pass.

• Jablunkov - Čierne: A crossing near the Poland-Slovakia-Czech Republic tripoint.

7 railway crossings:

• Holíč nad Moravou - Hodonín: An important railway crossing.

• Břeclav - Kúty: A significant railway crossing on the main line.

• Horní Lideč - Lúky pod Makytou: A crossing at the Lysá Pass.

• Mosty u Jablunkova - Čadca: A railway crossing in the east.

• Vrbovce - Velká nad Veličkou: A regional railway crossing.

• Strelenka - Nedašova Lhota: A smaller railway crossing.

• Svrčinovec - Skalité: A significant railway crossing in the Western Beskids.

3 waterway crossings:

• Confluence of the Thaya and the March: A significant waterway crossing.

• March River: Further crossings along the river.

• Morava River: Crossings along the Morava River.

These crossings are not only important from a transport perspective, but also interesting from a historical and cultural point of view.

Slovakia

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether a distance-based toll exists.

Slovakia: Vignette requirement (or not?)

A vignette is required on the signposted motorway and expressway sections of Slovakia. The motorway bypasses of Bratislava, Nitra, Košice, Prešov, Poprad, Žilina, and Banská Bystrica have been toll-free since August 1, 2024 (sign "BEZ ÚHRADY"). The vignette requirement applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight as well as all vehicles registered as passenger cars (class M1), regardless of weight. It is important to note that motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement and do not need a vignette. In addition, motorhomes represent a special case, as they require a vignette regardless of their weight (even if they weigh more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight), provided they are registered as passenger cars (class M1); motorhomes registered as trucks (N2/N3) over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, on the other hand, pay the distance-based toll. Furthermore, for combinations (car + trailer), it should be noted that for a weight of up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight only the vignette on the car is required, while for a total weight of over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, an additional vignette for the trailer must be purchased.

Motorcycles are therefore exempt from the vignette requirement and do not have to pay any fees for using motorways and expressways!

The role of the distance-based toll

The vignette requirement does not apply to vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (except passenger cars and motorhomes registered as passenger cars of class M1: these remain subject to the vignette requirement regardless of weight). Instead, a distance-based toll is charged, which is calculated based on the kilometers driven, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emission class (pollutant level). This distance-based toll is recorded using a transponder, i.e. a transmitting device (On-Board Unit). This allows the amount due to be debited automatically. Therefore, you must have such a transmitting device installed in your vehicle beforehand. The distance-based toll covers motorways, expressways, and in part first-class roads (national roads) and second-class roads (regional/state roads). On January 1, 2027, Slovakia will switch its distance-based toll to a new system: anyone currently using an on-board unit from the operator SkyToll will need to re-register their vehicle (with the national provider CzechToll from December 1, 2026) and will receive a new on-board unit. Rates and the tolled road network will remain unchanged.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic: Vignette requirement (or not?)

In the Czech Republic, you need a vignette to drive on the vignette-required motorways (D-roads). You can get the vignette locally at branches of the Czech Post, at EuroOil and RoBiN-OIL gas stations, as well as at vending machines at border crossings; online, it is available via edalnice.gov.cz. Another convenient option is to simply buy the vignette from us online before you start your journey.

It is important to note that driving without a valid vignette on vignette-required Czech motorways is punished with high penalties. It is therefore advisable to purchase the vignette in good time and carefully check the license plate and country of registration when ordering, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Nothing is affixed: since 2021, only the digital vignette, which is linked to the license plate, has been available. The differences in toll and vignette regulations between Slovakia and the Czech Republic show how important it is to find out about the respective regulations before starting your journey.

The role of the distance-based toll

In the Czech Republic too, no distance-based toll is charged for vehicles under 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. Vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight must pay the so-called 1st class toll on motorways, expressways, and on marked sections of roads. These are signposted with an "M" on a yellow background, and the toll is likewise collected using an On-Board Unit (OBU).

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant journey to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment exploring this diverse country. Order your digital vignette for the Czech Republic or your digital vignette for Slovakia conveniently and easily.

You can find more information about the toll in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your journey optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are always available to you by email.