Slovakia joined the eurozone on 1st January 2009, so the official unit of currency in the Slovak Republic is the Euro.

The most commonly accepted credit cards are VISA, MasterCard, EuroCard/MasterCard, Maestro and Visa Electron. American Express cards are not widely accepted.

ATMs are readily available in Bratislava and larger towns.

Personal checks are not generally used as a payment option for personal shopping. Travelers checks are generally not accepted in stores, smaller hotels or restaurants.

The overall cost of living in Slovakia (and average salary) is considerably lower than in many other European countries, though with the introduction of the Euro on 1st January 2009 prices seem to have risen dramatically.

We are awaiting a list of updated prices for the usual grocery items such as bread and milk.

A three-course restaurant meal with beer or wine can generally be purchased for well under 10 pounds sterling.

Real estate prices in Bratislava are among the lowest of any EU capital city.

Local transportation in Bratislava is cheap and convenient. A one-day pass valid on all forms of transport (bus, trams, trolleys) costs about 1 pound Sterling.