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Last refreshed: 28/07/2026 05:39 · 38 articles added
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Society

Vacationing in Greece Gets More Expensive as Prices Outpace Inflation

Travelers heading to Greece this season face significantly higher costs, with prices for tourism services rising faster than the general rate of inflation. Air travel to Greece has seen some of the sharpest increases, with flight prices rising more than 19 percent compared to the same period last year. Seasonal demand is a key driver behind the price surge, as peak summer travel pushes costs higher across accommodation, transport, and other holiday services. The increases are likely to affect Slovak and other European tourists who regularly choose Greece as one of their most popular summer destinations.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Woman Acquitted of Attempted Murder After Court Finds Battered Person Syndrome

A Slovak court has acquitted a woman who had been charged with the attempted murder of her husband, after psychiatric evaluation determined she suffered from battered person syndrome. The woman was prosecuted after an incident in which her husband was stabbed. The husband himself claimed he had stabbed himself, but prosecutors pursued charges against his wife regardless. The court ultimately accepted the defense argument, with the diagnosis of battered person syndrome — a recognized psychological condition resulting from prolonged domestic abuse — playing a decisive role in the verdict. The condition can affect a victim's perception, judgment, and responses to perceived threats, and courts in many jurisdictions treat it as legally significant in cases involving violence within abusive relationships. The acquittal highlights the complex intersection of domestic violence, psychiatric evidence, and criminal law in Slovak courts.

Korzár
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Society

Photo of Giant Butterfly Sparks Debate Over Whether Exotic Species Was Spotted in Slovakia

A photograph of an unusually large butterfly landing on a Slovak woman's hand has sparked a lively online debate about the species' origin. The image, shared on social media, divided viewers — some argue the butterfly is the largest native species found in Slovakia, while others are convinced it is an exotic variety not naturally occurring in the country's wild. The discussion highlights public curiosity about biodiversity and the occasional appearance of non-native species in Central Europe.

Bratislavak
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Society

Ružinov Hospital Launches Specialist Support Program for Women Who Have Lost a Baby

A hospital in Bratislava is launching a new support initiative for women who have experienced the loss of a baby, led by specialist Majka Demitrová. Ružinov Hospital, one of the main maternity and general hospitals in the Slovak capital, is introducing the program to provide professional psychological and emotional assistance to mothers following pregnancy loss or infant death. Demitrová, who is also known for her work in Trenčín, a city in western Slovakia, will be leading the expert support sessions. The initiative addresses a sensitive area of maternal healthcare that is often underserved, offering structured professional help to women navigating grief after losing a child.

Bratislavak
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Society

Slovak Police Urge Swimmers to Leave Valuables at Home This Summer

Slovak police are urging visitors to outdoor swimming pools and water parks to remain vigilant about their belongings during the summer season. Authorities are advising the public against bringing unnecessary valuables to swimming facilities, where theft from unattended bags and lockers is a recurring problem during the warmer months.

SME
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Society

Paper Vehicle Certificates of Conformity to Be Replaced by Digital Version from 2026

Slovakia is phasing out the paper Certificate of Conformity (COC) for vehicles, with the document set to be replaced by a fully digital version — the eCOC — from July 2026. The Certificate of Conformity is a mandatory document issued by vehicle manufacturers confirming that a car meets all relevant European Union technical and safety standards. It is required during vehicle registration and when importing cars from other EU countries. Under the new system, the paper certificate will no longer be accepted, and vehicle data will instead be stored and verified electronically. The change is part of a broader EU-wide push to digitize vehicle registration and documentation processes, reducing paperwork and improving data accuracy across member states.

Bratislavak
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Society

Cardiologists Warn Against Common Morning Habit That Harms Heart Health

Cardiologists are warning the public about a widespread morning habit that poses risks to cardiovascular health. Heart health is influenced by a combination of genetic factors, diet, and lifestyle choices, with doctors emphasizing that daily routines can play a significant role in long-term cardiac wellbeing. Medical experts urge people to reconsider common morning behaviors that may seem harmless but can negatively impact the heart over time.

Aktuality
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Society

Prešov Region Opens First E-Bike Rental Service for Pilgrims

The Prešov self-governing region in northeastern Slovakia has launched its first electric bicycle rental service specifically designed for pilgrims traveling through the area. The service will operate seasonally, running from April through September, catering to religious travelers who visit the region's numerous pilgrimage sites. The Prešov region, one of Slovakia's eight administrative regions, is home to several significant religious landmarks that attract pilgrims from across Slovakia and neighboring countries. The introduction of e-bike rentals reflects a broader effort to promote sustainable and accessible tourism infrastructure in the area.

Korzár
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Society

Annual Levoča Pilgrimage to Marian Hill Reaches Its Peak Sunday

One of the largest religious gatherings in Central Europe, the Levoča Pilgrimage to Marian Hill (Mariánska hora), reaches its culmination on Sunday. The hilltop site near the historic Slovak town of Levoča, in eastern Slovakia, draws hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims each year. This year's program includes Roman Catholic masses, Greek Catholic liturgies, rosary prayers, Stations of the Cross, adoration, and additional spiritual events. The Levoča Pilgrimage has centuries-old traditions and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, making it a significant annual event in Slovak religious and cultural life.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Heritage Expert Faces Threats After Writing Open Letter to Prosecutor General

A Slovak architect and heritage preservation specialist says she has faced harassment, legal threats, and insults — including being called a "reactionary" and a "terrorist" — after writing an open letter to Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka. Uršula Ivanová, who works in monument protection, said the backlash reflects a broader indifference in Slovak society toward cultural heritage. The dispute was sparked in part by a symbolic gesture: three Slovak flags were placed above the entrance to a government office — a change Ivanová noted was treated as more newsworthy than the ongoing neglect of Slovakia's historic monuments. Žilinka, who heads the Office of the Prosecutor General, the country's top prosecutorial authority, was the recipient of her open letter, though the specific subject of the letter was not detailed further in available reporting. Ivanová said she would be far more encouraged if Slovak citizens showed genuine concern for protecting the country's architectural and cultural heritage, rather than focusing on such superficial displays of national identity.

Aktuality
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Society

American Receives Slovak Citizenship Despite Not Speaking the Language — Then Says It Should Be Required

An American citizen who recently obtained Slovak citizenship has sparked discussion by publicly stating that knowledge of the Slovak language should be a mandatory requirement for naturalization — a standard he himself did not meet. The case has drawn attention among foreign nationals living in Slovakia and highlights a broader debate about integration requirements for immigrants seeking citizenship. Slovak naturalization rules do not currently mandate language proficiency as a strict condition, a policy that critics argue undermines the cultural and civic integration of new citizens. The apparent contradiction between the man's personal experience and his stated position has attracted ironic commentary, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of citizenship standards in Slovakia.

SME
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Society

Slovak Man Arrested in Croatia for Secretly Filming Naked Children

A Slovak national has been arrested in Croatia after being caught secretly recording naked children, Croatian police announced. Authorities discovered compromising material in the man's possession during the investigation. After the investigation was completed, the suspect was transferred on July 3 to a detention cell at the Istrian Police Directorate, the regional law enforcement authority for the Istria peninsula in western Croatia. The case is being handled by Croatian authorities, and the suspect remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Town of Brezno Launches Major Road and Pavement Renovation Programme

The central Slovak town of Brezno has launched a large-scale renovation of its roads, parking areas, and pavements. Local authorities say the works will be carried out in a way that minimises disruption to residents' daily lives. The programme represents a significant infrastructure investment for the town, aiming to improve the quality of local transport surfaces and pedestrian infrastructure.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Woman Injured by Falling Rock Near Šútovo Waterfall in Slovakia

A 43-year-old woman suffered a back injury after being struck by a loose rock near the Šútovo waterfall, one of Slovakia's popular natural attractions in the Malá Fatra mountain region. Mountain rescue workers responded to the incident, examining and treating the woman at the scene. She was then escorted by family members from the nearby Vodopád mountain hut to receive further medical attention.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Nitra Relaunches Renovated Fountain with Light and Water Show After Two-Year Pause

The city of Nitra, located in southwestern Slovakia, has reopened a renovated fountain in Svätopluk Square after a two-year closure. The refurbished installation features a modern water show accompanied by new lighting effects, bringing a popular public attraction back to life in one of the city's central public spaces. The fountain's return is part of broader efforts to revitalize the urban environment in Nitra, a historically significant city known as one of the oldest centers of Slovak statehood.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovakia's Teaching Assistant Reform Falls Short, Analysts Warn

Slovakia's Education Ministry is rolling out a reform that will add hundreds of new teaching assistants to schools across the country, but education analysts warn the measure is insufficient to address a deep staffing deficit in the sector. Under the new model, kindergartens — which serve children aged three to six — would receive enough assistants to cover only about one-fifth of actual needs, leaving the vast majority of early childhood education settings understaffed. The reform also risks reducing the working hours of some existing assistants at certain schools, potentially worsening conditions rather than improving them. Teaching assistants in Slovakia play a critical role in supporting children with special educational needs and from disadvantaged backgrounds, making adequate staffing a key factor in educational outcomes and social inclusion. Analysts argue that while the government's effort represents a step in the right direction, the scale of the response falls far short of the enormous personnel gap that has built up over years of underinvestment in educational support staff.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Holocaust Survivor Who Testified Against Nazi War Criminal Has Died

A Slovak Holocaust survivor who bore witness to the atrocities of the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz and testified against war criminals has died, silencing one of the last living voices of the genocide. The woman survived both the Auschwitz concentration camp and the notorious experiments and selections conducted by SS physician Josef Mengele, who became known as the 'Angel of Death' for his cruel pseudo-medical experiments on prisoners. Among her harrowing memories was hearing the words 'Those are yours' as smoke rose from the camp's crematoria — a chilling reference to murdered family members. Auschwitz, located in occupied Poland, was the largest Nazi extermination camp, where an estimated 1.1 million people — the vast majority of them Jewish — were killed between 1940 and 1945. Survivors who lived through the camp and later testified against Nazi perpetrators played a crucial role in documenting the crimes of the Holocaust for future generations. With the passing of this survivor, Slovakia loses one of the dwindling number of living witnesses capable of providing first-hand testimony about one of history's darkest chapters.

Korzár
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Society

Capybaras Boris and Leni: A Love Story Across Slovak Zoos

Two Slovak zoos have paired up their capybaras in hopes of breeding, moving the animals between Košice and Bratislava in a carefully arranged swap. Boris, a capybara from one of the zoos, has been introduced to Leni, his new partner, as part of a coordinated effort between the two facilities to encourage reproduction. Capybaras, the world's largest rodents native to South America, are popular zoo attractions, and keepers are now hopeful the pairing will result in offspring.

Korzár
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Society

Stores to Remain Open on Cyril and Methodius Day, Surprising Many Slovaks

Major retail chains in Slovakia will operate on their normal schedules during the upcoming feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, July 5, a public holiday that many Slovaks assume triggers mandatory store closures. Unlike some Slovak public holidays, which require shops to shut by law, the Cyril and Methodius holiday does not carry such a legal obligation, meaning supermarkets and large retail chains are free to remain open as usual. Saints Cyril and Methodius were 9th-century Byzantine missionaries credited with creating the Glagolitic script — a precursor to the Cyrillic alphabet — and bringing Christianity to the Slavic peoples, making their feast day one of significant cultural and religious importance in Slovakia. Despite the holiday's prominence, Slovak law does not place it among the restricted trading days, leaving many shoppers caught off guard when they find stores fully operational.

Bratislavak
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Society

Slovak River Police Step Up Patrols on Waterways for Summer Season

Slovak police have announced increased patrols on the country's waterways as part of seasonal safety measures aimed at preventing accidents and incidents during the summer months. The river police unit, which is responsible for law enforcement and emergency response on Slovakia's rivers and lakes, will intensify its presence on the water to improve public safety during the period when recreational water activity significantly increases. The measures are intended to reduce the risk of drownings, boating accidents, and other water-related incidents that typically rise during the warmer season.

SME
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