# Israel–Slovakia relations

Israel–Slovakia relations are bilateral relations of Israel and Slovakia.
Israel and Slovakia established relations on the first of January 1993. Israel have embassy in Bratislava and Slovakia have embassy in Tel Aviv.
Both Israeli and Slovak nationals doesn't need a visa to visit each country.

## History

After the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia Israel recognized both Czechia and Slovakia. Israel and Slovakia have established relations on the first of January 1993. The first official visits were made by the representatives of the parliaments, as visit of the Knesset Speaker was made in August 1994, and a visit of the Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic in July 1995. The first official visit of Slovak prime minister was after the Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin as the Slovak prime minister Vladimír Mečiar attended the funeral of Yitzhak Rabin on 6 November 1995. On 14 May 1997 Israel and Slovakia have signed an agreement on abolition of visa requirement which entered into force on 2 September 1997.
On 8 August 1999 Israel and Slovakia have signed an agreement on avidness of double taxation which entered into force on 31 December 2000, and agreement on promotion and protection of investments which entered into force on 23 June 2003. In February 2000 the President of the Slovak Republic Rudolf Schuster had an official visit to Israel, and in July 2003 the President of Israel Moshe Katsav had an official visit to Slovakia. Rudolf Schuster had a second visit to Israel in September 2003 as part of an working visit. In November 2003 the Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikuláš Dzurinda had an official visit to Israel.
In 2013 Israel and Slovakia have signed an agreement on cooperation in industrial research and development. In 2018 the head of the Slovak National Council Andrej Danko told the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that Slovakia will move its embassy to Jerusalem. On the first of September 2021 Slovakia established the Slovak Institute in Jerusalem with the main task is to deepen Slovak-Israeli cultural dialogue. In 2023 the President of Israel Isaac Herzog had an state visit to Slovakia.

## Trade

Israel and Slovakia trade is also influenced by the EU - Israel Free Trade Agreement from 1995.
Israel - Slovakia trade in millions USD-$ :
| | Israel imports  Slovakia exports | Slovakia imports  Israel exports | Total trade value |
| 2023 | 203.4 | 20.1 | 223.5 |
| 2022 | 174.7 | 21.5 | 196.2 |
| 2021 | 242.6 | 22.9 | 265.5 |
| 2020 | 132.5 | 17.8 | 150.3 |
| 2019 | 186 | 17.7 | 203.7 |
| 2018 | 187.3 | 23.8 | 211.1 |
| 2017 | 245.8 | 17.9 | 263.7 |
| 2016 | 152.8 | 15.9 | 168.7 |
| 2015 | 262.9 | 27.9 | 290.8 |
| 2014 | 207.4 | 20.4 | 227.8 |
| 2013 | 111.5 | 17.1 | 128.6 |
| 2012 | 73.5 | 22.1 | 95.6 |
| 2011 | 94.4 | 27.4 | 121.8 |
| 2010 | 82.4 | 19.1 | 101.5 |
| 2009 | 60.9 | 23.4 | 84.3 |
| 2008 | 49.4 | 28.5 | 77.9 |
| 2007 | 17.2 | 18.5 | 35.7 |
| 2006 | 21.4 | 12.1 | 33.5 |
| 2005 | 23.5 | 11.9 | 35.4 |
| 2004 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 21.4 |
| 2003 | 14 | 10.2 | 24.2 |
| 2002 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 16.5 |
The Israeli military industry is also favorable by the Slovakian military as many deals were signed over the years. In March 2020 Slovakia ordered the Israeli Spike LR II an anti-tank missile system, in 2021 Israel delivered 17 ELTA radars to Slovakia, and in 2024 Slovakia ordered from Israel the air defense system BARAK MX.

## Tourism

From 1997 Israeli and Slovakia abolished the need for visas for each other's citizens to travel.
Slovakia is considered a safe destination of Israelis, and the Slovak tourism ministry advertising Slovakia's nature to the Israeli tourist with goal to increase tourists from Israel in 2025.
Tourism: Slovaks in Israel and Israelis in Slovakia (in thousands) :
| | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Tourists form Slovakia Arriving to Israel | 17.5 | 8.6 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 22.7 | 20.1 | 14.4 |
| Tourists form Israel Arriving to Slovakia | 23.2 | 17.4 | 7.4 | 2.1 | 34.0 | 36.6 | 44.9 |