Essentials
- City
- Prešov, Prešov Region, Slovakia
- Population
- 84,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber available widely via Telekom or Orange)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Tatra Banka and Slovenská sporiteľňa are primary banks.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and of high quality across the city.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- O2, Orange, Telekom, and 4ka. A 20GB prepaid plan costs approx. €15.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut is widely used; local accounts available at ČSOB or VÚB Banka.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local portals like Reality.sk.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile payments accepted in almost all shops and restaurants.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from €35-€60 per night in the city center.
- Budget Accommodation
- Šport Hotel Prešov (approx. €45/night) or Penzión Átrium (€55/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Staré Mesto (Old Town) near Hlavná ulica for proximity to landmarks.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sídlisko III or Sekčov for modern apartments with better pricing and proximity to supermarkets.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking Prešov (Jarková 71) - Daily pass approx. €12, Monthly €100.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Nico Caffe (17. novembra) - Excellent Wi-Fi, power outlets, and specialty coffee.
- Networking Events
- IT Valley Košice events (nearby) or local meetups at Wave Centrum.
- Social Events for Expats
- Foreigners in Prešov Facebook group or cultural events at Wave~centrum nezávislej kultúry.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt is the dominant ride-sharing app in the city.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- ANTIK SmartWay (shared bicycles and e-scooters via app).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Delňa Summer Plaza - local swimming reservoir and recreation area.
- Top Regional Airline
- Ryanair (operating from nearby Košice International Airport, 40km away).
- Top International Airline
- Austrian Airlines or LOT Polish Airlines (via Košice).
- Highway Access
- D1 Highway connecting Prešov directly to Košice and Bratislava.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Prešov Hlavná stanica - Direct connections to Košice, Bratislava, and Prague.
- Public Transport Passes
- DPMP (Dopravný podnik mesta Prešov) - 24-hour pass for €3.20; Monthly for €20.
- Regional Travel
- Trains (ZSSK) and RegioJet buses to Košice (30 mins) or High Tatras (70 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fakultná nemocnica s poliklinikou J. A. Reimana (Hollého 14).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga House Prešov (Hlavná 65) - Drop-in classes approx. €7.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Golem Club (Eperia Shopping Center) - Monthly membership approx. €45.
- Laundry Services
- Čistiareň Prešov (OC Kaufland) or QuickWash self-service laundries.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Bistro.sk are the most reliable.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bryndzové halušky (Potato dumplings with sheep cheese) at Zwicker Restaurant.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- VegLife (OC Forum) - Buffet style healthy vegan meals.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Cukráreň Victoria (Hlavná 58) for traditional Slovak cakes.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Local markets at Weberova street or supermarkets like Lidl and Kaufland.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Alza.sk (electronics/general), Mall.sk, and Amazon.de (delivery to SK).
- Grocery Delivery
- Tesco Online Shopping and Wolt Market.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Hlavná ulica (Main Street) - specific spots like Christiania or Wave.
- Local Brewery
- Mariannus (Jarková 13), a local craft microbrewery.
- Wine Bars
- Pivnica u Adama (Hlavná 75) - excellent local Slovak Tokaj wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Bystro (Hlavná) for quick local snacks and baguettes.
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Cucaracha (Mexican/International) or Stará Škola (Italian/Fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- St. Nicholas Cathedral and the historic Solivar Salt Works.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Šariš Gallery (Hlavná 51) and the Museum of Ruthenian Culture.
- Historical Sites
- Caraffova väznica (Caraffa Prison) - now a gallery.
- Religious Sites
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Greek Catholic) housing a copy of the Shroud of Turin.
- Annual Events
- Prešov City Days (June) and the Opal Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- The central pedestrian zone (Hlavná ulica).
- Theater Venues
- Jonáš Záborský Theatre (Divadlo Jonáša Záborského) - modern and historic buildings.
- Local Markets
- Trhovisko (Marketplace) on Jarková street for fresh produce.
- Music Scene
- Christiania (Main Street) - live jazz, indie, and literary evenings.
- Street Art
- Murals located around the Sídlisko III residential neighborhood.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at Chefparade (regional Poprad/Košice nearby).
- Art Galleries
- Galéria u anjela (Contemporary Art).
- Historic Buildings
- Neptune Fountain on Main Street and the Orthodox Cathedral.
- Local Heritage
- Salt mining history at the Solivar complex (National Cultural Monument).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cergov Mountains and the nearby Slanské vrchy for hiking.
- National Parks Nearby
- Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) - approx. 1 hour drive.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Cycling path along the Torysa river (Cyklotrasa Torysa).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kalvária Prešov (Calvary amino) - panoramic views of the entire city.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sigord reservoir and surrounding forests.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Borkút recreation area featuring designated fire pits.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Slovenská pošta, Packeta (Zásielkovňa) pickup points.
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Expres in OC Eperia.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Športová hala Prešovská univerzita.
- Language Classes
- State Language School (Štátna jazyková škola), Plzenská 10.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- State Scientific Library (Štátna vedecká knižnica), Hlavná 99.
- Community Centers
- PKO Prešov (Culture and Leisure Center).
- Gaming Lounges
- Storm Game Club (local gaming community center).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Rebuy Stars Prešov.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €91,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €73,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,950 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €97,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €165,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €135,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (15% for companies with lower annual turnover)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 7% for individuals (residents)
- Tax System
- Resident-based taxation on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on income exceeding approx. €41,000; otherwise 19%)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate), 10% (Food/Medical)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Slovakia has implemented EU-standard CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Yes, calculated based on area and usage (very low, approx. €30-100/year for an apartment).
- Property Transaction Tax
- No specific transaction tax, but notary and land registry fees apply (approx. €500-€1000).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Lump-sum expenses (60% up to €20,000) for freelancers make it highly attractive for solo contractors.