Essentials
- City
- Košice, Košice Region, Slovakia
- Population
- 239,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber optic widely available via Telekom or Orange)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD; Member of the Eurozone
- Tap Water
- Safe and high quality; Drinkable throughout the city
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Telekom, O2, and 4ka (4ka offers 300GB for €15)
- Banking for Expats
- Tatra Banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Revolut is widely used
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Bezrealitky.sk (direct from owners), Reality.sk
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payments accepted in almost all shops and restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (avg. €45/night), Flatio, Boutique Hotel Slávia
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Barno (€18/night), White Coral Club (€22/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Staré Mesto (Old Town) near Hlavná Ulica
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sever (North) or Juh (South) - quieter but walking distance to center
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hubert Coworking (€15/day, €150/month) at Hviezdoslavova 7
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kino Úsmev (Kasárenské námestie 1) - fast WiFi and industrial vibe
- Networking Events
- IT Valley Košice meetups and AmCham Slovakia events
- Social Events for Expats
- Erasmus & International Students Košice group events
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Average ride €4-6); Hopin
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Antik SmartWay (Bikes: €1/hour; Scooters: €0.10/min)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Zemplínska Šírava (approx. 1 hour drive away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Austrian Airlines (Flights to Vienna hub)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, Wizz Air (Base at Košice International Airport - KSC)
- Highway Access
- D1 Highway connects toward Prešov and Bratislava
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Košice Railway Station (Staničné námestie)
- Public Transport Passes
- DPMK: Single ticket €0.90; Monthly pass €25
- Regional Travel
- RegioJet or ZSSK trains to Bratislava (5 hrs) or Prague (8 hrs)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Louis Pasteur University Hospital (Trieda SNP 1)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga House Košice (Kováčska 49); 1 session approx. €8
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Astoria Fit&Gym (€5 entry); Golem Club Aupark (€8 entry)
- Laundry Services
- Flipper Wash (Self-service, approx. €5 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt, Foodora
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bryndzové Halušky (Potato dumplings with sheep cheese) at Republika Východu
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Ganesh Utsav (Indian); Veggie (Hlavná 113)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Cukráreň Aida; San Domenico (St. Dominik's Square)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Fresh Plus supermarkets; Marketplace at Dominikánske námestie
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Alza.sk (Electronics/everything), Mall.sk
- Grocery Delivery
- Tesco Online Shopping; Wolt Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kováčska Street (numerous pubs and clubs like Jazz Club)
- Local Brewery
- Hostinec Brewery (Levočský dom) - oldest tavern in Slovakia
- Wine Bars
- Villa Cassa (Pri Miklušovej väznici 2)
- Street Food Stalls
- Smelly Cat (Burgers/Brunch); Robin Street Food
- Popular International Cuisine
- Maiko Sushi (Japanese); Primi (Italian/Mediterranean)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- St. Elisabeth Cathedral (largest in Slovakia); Singing Fountain
- Museums & Art Venues
- East Slovak Gallery; Východoslovenské múzeum
- Historical Sites
- Jakab's Palace; Mikluš Prison
- Religious Sites
- St. Elisabeth Cathedral; Dominican Church
- Annual Events
- Košice Peace Marathon (October; oldest in Europe); Biela Noc (White Night)
- Cultural Districts
- Kulturpark (Former military barracks turned cultural hub)
- Theater Venues
- State Theatre Košice (Národné divadlo)
- Local Markets
- Dominikánske Square flower and vegetable market
- Music Scene
- Tabačka Kulturfabrik (Alternative music/arts)
- Street Art
- Open Mural Gallery (Large scale murals on housing blocks)
- Cooking Classes
- Chefparade Košice
- Art Galleries
- Šopa Gallery (Contemporary art focus)
- Historic Buildings
- Old Town Hall (Hlavná 59)
- Local Heritage
- Coat of Arms of Košice (Oldest granted in Europe, 1369)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bankov and Alpinka (Recreational zones connected by forest train)
- National Parks Nearby
- Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise) - 1 hour away
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hornád River Path; Kojšovská hoľa trails
- Scenic Viewpoints
- North Tower of St. Elisabeth Cathedral; Vyhliadková veža Hradová
- Birdwatching Locations
- Senné Ponds (approx. 50 km away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated fireplace areas in Mestské Lesy (City Forests)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Slovenská pošta; Packeta (pick-up points)
- Tech Repair Services
- PCexpres (Aupark Shopping Center)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports halls or Tabačka backyard
- Language Classes
- Academy of Education (Akadémia vzdelávania)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- State Scientific Library (Hlavná 10)
- Community Centers
- Výmenník (Network of 7 cultural/community spots across neighborhoods)
- Gaming Lounges
- Quest Bar (VR and console gaming)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Olympic Casino (Hotel Carlton/Aupark)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €96,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €150,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €110,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €210,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €157,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (15% for annual revenue below €60,000)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; Flat or progressive depending on income type
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on income exceeding approx. €41,445/year)
- VAT
- 20% Standard; 10% for basic foods/pharmaceuticals
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to both individuals and corporations
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on surface area and location, roughly €0.50-€1.50/m² per year
- Property Transaction Tax
- None (Real estate transfer tax was abolished)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Lump-sum expenses (60% up to €20,000) for self-employed/trade licenses make it very tax-efficient
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 7% for individuals