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Practical legal guide · Slovakia

Fine from Slovakia: do I have to pay it? Alcohol limits and penalties

Stopped by police in Slovakia or received a Slovak fine? Slovakia has zero tolerance for alcohol and most fines can be settled on the spot. Slovakia finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech register, and a final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic.

Describe your case

Updated and verified:

Short answer

  1. Pay on the spot, or challenge it in administrative proceedings
  2. A final fine from EUR 70 can be enforced in Czechia
  3. Police can keep the licence until the case ends

Slovakia has a zero alcohol limit. Over 50 km/h too fast in town costs up to EUR 1,300 and a ban. Find a lawyer on LawBridge.

Describe your case

Quick answers

Do I have to pay a fine from Slovakia?
Yes, if it is justified. Slovakia finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech vehicle register and sends a letter, usually in the language of the registration certificate, so in Czech. A final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. If you disagree, you challenge it in Slovakia under local rules and deadlines.
What is the alcohol limit in Slovakia?
Zero. A driver commits an offence with any alcohol in the body while driving, including what is left from the night before. This applies to all drivers.
How much is a speeding fine in Slovakia?
In town up to 20 km/h or outside up to 30 km/h over: up to EUR 100, on the spot up to EUR 50. In town 21–50 km/h or outside 31–60 km/h over: EUR 150 to 600, on the spot EUR 30 to 400. In town more than 50 km/h or outside more than 60 km/h over: EUR 800 to 1,300 and a 6-month to 3-year driving ban, on the spot EUR 500 to 1,000.

When this situation arises

  • You received a letter with a fine from Slovakia for speeding, parking or another offence
  • Police in Slovakia stopped you and want a fine or a deposit on the spot
  • You face a driving ban or criminal proceedings in Slovakia for alcohol or high speed

What options do you have

Pay the fine

If you accept the offence, pay within the deadline in the letter or on the spot. Keep the proof of payment.

Challenge it in Slovakia

If you disagree, file an objection or appeal with the authority that issued the fine, within its deadline. The case follows the law of Slovakia.

Challenge enforcement in the Czech Republic

If a Czech district court decides on recognising the foreign fine, it can refuse, among other things, for a fine below EUR 70. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Recommended step-by-step process

  1. 1.

    Check the letter

    Check the date, place, registration number, the authority that issued the fine and the deadline to pay or object.

  2. 2.

    Decide before the deadline

    Pay, or challenge it in time with the authority in Slovakia.

  3. 3.

    Keep the proof of payment

    It shows the fine is paid if anyone tries to enforce it again.

  4. 4.

    A lawyer for a serious offence

    Alcohol, high speed or an accident can mean criminal proceedings in Slovakia. A lawyer helps with the defence and with what follows in the Czech Republic.

What documents to prepare

  • The fine letter or decision and the envelope with the date of delivery
  • Vehicle registration certificate and driving licence
  • Proof of payment of the fine or deposit
  • Photos, witnesses or a recording from the scene if you dispute the offence

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the letter because nobody will enforce a foreign fine
  • Missing the deadline to object abroad
  • Driving in the morning with alcohol left from the night before: the limit in Slovakia is zero

Risks and important deadlines

Driving ban

Speeding and alcohol can bring a driving ban as well as a fine.

Documents kept

Without payment or a security, the police can keep the driving licence, the registration certificate and the plates.

Short deadlines

The deadlines to pay and to object are set by Slovakia and are often short.

When it's worth contacting a lawyer

When you face a driving ban, criminal proceedings for alcohol or speed, or a seized car in Slovakia, or when a Czech court serves you a request to recognise a foreign fine. A lawyer looks at the defence in Slovakia and the consequences in the Czech Republic. On LawBridge, a search engine for lawyers, you can find a traffic lawyer and describe your situation in a request. Legal services are always paid.

Describe your case

Related pages

Frequently asked questions

How much is a drink-driving fine in Slovakia?

For alcohol in the body while driving EUR 150 to 800 and a driving ban of up to 3 years. If the alcohol makes you unfit to drive, EUR 200 to 1,000 and a ban of up to 5 years. On the spot the fine can be up to EUR 650.

What if I cannot pay the fine on the spot?

If you are willing to pay but cannot on the spot, the police can keep your licence and allow you to drive for 15 days, in Slovakia only. For drivers not resident in Slovakia, the licence is sent to the country of residence after payment.

Can Slovak police take my driving licence?

Yes. Where a driving ban may follow, they can keep a licence issued by another state until the case is final. If a keeper's fine is unpaid or a required security was not paid, they can also keep the registration certificate and plates.

What if I drive on the motorway without a vignette?

The driver faces EUR 100 to 500, on the spot EUR 50 to 200. The vehicle operator faces EUR 150 to 500.

What happens if I do not pay a fine from Slovakia?

Slovakia can have a final fine of EUR 70 or more enforced in the Czech Republic. A district court where you stay decides on recognition, and the customs office then collects the amount. For a fine below EUR 70 the court can refuse. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Does a driving ban from Slovakia apply in the Czech Republic?

Slovak law only says expressly that a temporary 15-day driving permit is valid in Slovakia only. No EU rule in force yet makes a foreign driving ban apply automatically in the Czech Republic. From 26 November 2029, the country where you got a ban of at least 3 months for a serious offence, such as alcohol or high speed, will notify the Czech Republic, and the Czech authorities will withdraw, suspend or restrict the licence.

What changes from 2027?

EU countries must apply new rules by 20 July 2027. The traffic offence notice must then be issued within 11 months, in the language of the registration certificate, and say how to pay and how to object. The country of residence will then recognise a final fine above EUR 70 without further formality, if it was served on you and you could defend yourself.

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