Border facts:

Like many countries in eastern Europe the borders of the Slovak Republic have been fluid and have moved over time. The borders of the current state were established by the Treaty of Trianon (1920) with the Czech and Slovak republics forming one country. During WW2 there was the 1st Slovak Republic, a satellite state under the influence of Germany was created. Both countries were reunited at the end of the war. After 1946 the Slovak Republic as part of Czechoslovakia became part of the Warsaw bloc and under the influence of the Soviet Union. Borders with the West were marked by the iron curtain with heavy fortifications. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Czechoslovakia in 1989 the constituent parts negotiated what is referred to as the “Velvet Divorce” and in 1993 became 2 independent countries. This perhaps was inevitable with the reemergence of party politics within the constituent countries (but not across). Slovakia has remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group

Slovakia – Czech Republic Border followed historical boundaries. Nevertheless, the border was not clearly defined at some points and, in some areas, the border cut across streets, access roads and communities that had co-existed for centuries.  In such cases mutual negotiations and land transfers occurred. For example Šance went to Slovakia whereas Sidónia went to the Czech Republic. At a length of 251.8 km, the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is one of the newest borders in Europe. It begins in the north CZPLSK formed by the Polish, Czech and Slovak borders, near the city of Hrčava (Czech Republic). The border is fairly straight and takes a south-westerly direction up to the tripoint ATCZSK.

Slovakia – Austria Border is 107 km long. It begins at the tripoint ATCZSK formed by the Czech, Slovak and Austrian borders, near the towns of Hohenau an der March and Borský Svätý Jur, running southwards before turning towards the east and following the Morava river to the ATHUSK tripoint between the Hungarian, Austrian and Slovak borders. It had already been in existence since 1919 after Czechoslovakia’s declaration of independence. In 1939, Germany invaded the region and divided it into several protectorates, subtly modifying the borders in favour of Austria. At the end of the war, the previous demarcation was re-established (with the exception of part of Bratislava). During the cold war, this border was part of the iron curtain and thus represented a real obstacle between the two countries. With the partition of Czechoslovakia, no modification was made to the border.

Slovakia – Hungary Border is 677 km long and begins in the west at the ATHUSK tripoint formed by the Hungarian, Slovak and Austrian borders. The border is demarcated by the river Danube for nearly 150 km. The border continues to the east, alongside the river Tisza and finishes at the HUSKUA tripoint. From 1945, after the 1920 border was re-established population transfers occurred with Hungarian speaking communities moving westward towards the Sudetenland which in turn had been depopulated with communities moving to Germany. Since 1990 minority rights have been respected much more.

Slovakia – Ukraine Border is 97 km long. It has 2 major road crossings and 2 major rail crossings, there are also small local crossings too, including the famous divided village of Slemence. It stretches from the northern tripoint PLSKUA south to HUSKUA on the banks of the river Tisla. It is an external border to the EU.

Slovakia – Poland Border stretches from the eastern most point of Slovakia at the Tripoint PLSKUA westwards the tripoint CZPLSK. it is 541 km long and broadly follows the same line as the Czechoslovakia border with Poland. In 2005 there were a number of equal exchanges of land to meet practical and logistical needs of local residents near the Dukla pass and the Zilina region. Major features of this border are the Tatra Mountains and the Dunajec River gorge.

Slovakian Registration Plates

Slovakian Tripoints

Number	Name		Countries	Coordinates	Type	Links
1	ATCZSK		Austria – Czech Republic – Slovakia	48°37’00″N 16°56’25″E	Wet	Palmberg (2001) (2002)
2	ATHUSK		Austria – Hungary – Slovakia	48°0’24″N  17°9’39″E	Dry	Hering (2001) Palmberg (2001) (2002) The Lady Travels (2017)
3	CZPLSK		Czech Republic – Poland – Slovakia	49°31’02″N 18°51’03″E	Both	Krogh (2012) Palmberg (2002) (2009) Wallis (2006)
4	HUSKUA		Hungary – Slovakia – Ukraine	48°24’12″N 22°9’13″E	Wet	Hering (2002) Palmberg (2002)
5	PLSKUA		Poland – Slovakia – Ukraine	49°5’17″N 22°33’56″E	Dry	Hering (2002) Palmberg (2002)

Tripoint Gallery