Number of  Sub-national governments
Number of Sub-national governments
2012
2016
2021
LOCAL
2,930
2,930
2,930
INTERMEDIATE
REGIONAL
8
8
8
State Structure
State Structure
Unitary State
Capital city
Capital city
Bratislava
Currency
Currency
Euro
Population
Population
5,459,781 (1.2 % EU)
Vote
Vote
Non-compulsory
Geographical size
Geographical size
49 035 km2
2004
2004
EU Member State since
14
14
Seats in the European Parliament
9
9
Seats in the European Committee of the Regions

Local governments

2,751 municipalities (obec), 140 cities (mesto) and 39 city districts (mestská časť)

The local council (obecné zastupiteľstvo in municipalities, mestské zastupiteľstvo in cities and miestne zastupiteľstvo in city districts) is the local authority’s deliberative body. It is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years.

The local board (obecná rada in municipalities, mestská rada in cities and miestna rada in city districts) is the mayor’s consultative body and the local council’s executive body. Its formation is optional and its members are elected by and from within the local council. The municipal board has the power of initiative, control and executes the tasks according to local council decisions.

The mayor (starosta in municipalities and city districts and primátor in cities) constitute the community’s highest executive body and statutory representative. He/she is elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year mandate and chairs both the local council and the local board.

Municipalities can gain city status upon request and as long as they meet the criteria specified within municipal law.

Bratislava and Košice have two tiers of self-government: the magistrate (magistrát), which represents the city as a whole, and city districts. These city districts are responsible for issues of local significance such as urban planning, local road maintenance, budget, local ordinances, park maintenance and public safety.

Municipalities may perform certain duties in the name of the state - transferred performance of the state administration, mainly regarding office registrations, construction permits and some aspects relative to education, though the state remains responsible for the quality and funding of such duties.

  • Transferred competences (transferred performance of the state administration):

    • Pre-school and primary school
    • Building regulations
    • Local Road
    • Housing – State housing development fund
    • Office registration
    • Residence report and population register
    • Elections and referendum
    • Environment – surface and groundwater, air protection, nature and landscape protection, flood   protection
    • Social services

     

    Original competences:

    • Pre-school and primary school
    • Territorial planning
    • Geodesy, cartography and real estate cadastre
    • Social services and assistance
    • Financial management
    • Administration of local taxes and fees and administration of municipal property
    • Road maintenance
    • Public transport
    • Public lightning
    • Environment - Water supply, Sewage and municipal waste,
    • Culture and sports
    • Health 
    • Funeral
    • Security
    • Fire protection
    • Local development

     

    Municipalities may perform certain duties in the name of the state - transferred performance of the state administration, mainly regarding office registrations, construction permits and some aspects relative to education, though the state remains responsible for the quality and funding of such duties.

State Structure
State Structure
Unitary State
Capital city
Capital city
Bratislava
Currency
Currency
Euro
Population
Population
5,459,781 (1.2 % EU)
Vote
Vote
Non-compulsory
Geographical size
Geographical size
49 035 km2
2004
2004
EU Member State since
14
14
Seats in the European Parliament
9
9
Seats in the European Committee of the Regions

Regional governments

8 self-governing regions (samosprávny kraj)

The regional council (zastupiteľstvo samosprávneho kraja) is the region’s legislative and decision-making body and is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term.

The commissions (komisie) may be established by the regional council and act as its consultative body with the power of initiative and control. Commission members are elected by and from within the regional council.

The president (predseda) is elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year mandate. He/she is the self-governing region’s representative and statutory body, and chairs regional council meetings.

Self-governing regions may perform certain duties in the name of the state, mainly regarding education, healthcare and transport.

 

    • Regional road network
    • Land development
    • Regional development
    • Secondary education
    • Hospitals
    • Social services
    • Culture
    • Participation in civil defence
    • Licences for pharmacies and private physicians