An expert report shows that the concrete used in the construction of a hospital in Prešov failed to meet technical standards in all 34 measurements. The required strength was 60, but only four samples exceeded 50, with most falling in the 30–40 range. The project now faces delays and cost overruns. The government designated the hospital as a strategic project subject to simplified permitting and classified the tenders. Construction is being carried out by a consortium of Hung

Fitch affirmed Slovakia's A− rating with a stable outlook, flagging persistently high public finance deficits, sluggish economic growth, and dependence on Russian energy. Slovakia benefits from EU and eurozone membership, a steady inflow of EU funds, and a developed export base. The agency also noted rising public debt, structural challenges, and heavy reliance on the automotive sector. S&P downgraded Slovakia in April. Moody's will review Slovakia's rating in June. (pravda.

Household income has no bearing on the number of children families have in Slovakia, RRZ data show. The country nonetheless follows the global trend whereby rising prosperity leads to lower birth rates. Like most developed countries, Slovakia's fertility rate is well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, having fallen below 1.4 last year. Two-parent families have more children than single mothers. RRZ concludes that family decisions on the number of children

Slovakia ranks among countries with the lowest levels of income inequality in the world, yet parental income still shapes children's educational prospects, according to data from fiscal responsibility council RRZ. While 60% of children from average-income families go on to university, the figure rises to 90% for those from the top 5% of earners. University graduates in Slovakia earn on average 25% more than peers with only secondary education. The country's egalitarian charac

Older apartment prices in Bratislava stood at €4,351/sqm in 1Q, up 12% annually, developer Bencont data show. Average rent including utilities rose by only 2% annually to €17.26/sqm/month. This points to an increased preference for homeownership, or apartments as investment assets. The expected growth of mortgage rates will likely dampen further price growth, while insufficient supply works in the opposite direction. (sita.sk)

The cabinet approved a new Civil Code. It strengthens contractual freedom and brings it into line with the Commercial Code. It changes inheritance rules, e.g., testators will have greater freedom in disposing of their property, and the circle of heirs will be broader. The existing undivided co-ownership of spouses will be replaced by joint marital property, which includes debts in addition to assets. It facilitates divorce if spouses agree on children and property. It strengt

Czech rail carrier Leo Express, owned by Spanish state company Renfe, struggled with the launch of its Prague–Bratislava service. The company allocated only three trains, and immediately after last week's launch one was vandalized and another developed technical problems. As a result, many connections were cancelled, with full planned service not expected to resume until May 14. The route is also non-standard, with the journey taking six hours compared to the 4.5 hours offere

Slovak households paid the 3rd-lowest gas prices and 4th-lowest electricity prices in the EU (excluding taxes and levies) in the second half of 2025, Eurostat data show. The EU average was €8.49 per 100 kWh (gas) and €20.59 per 100 kWh (electricity). Prices in neighboring countries: gas power Hungary €2.63 €8.52 Slovakia €4.94 €12.41 Poland - €15.39 Czechia €7.92 €24.20 Austria €8.48 €25.39 (Eurostat, Eurostat)

Only 22 of 95 drugs assessed since 2022 by the National Institute for Value and Technologies in Healthcare are expected to deliver more than one additional year of life in full health, the value-for-money unit UHP said. Similarly, more than half of drugs entering the German market in 2011–17 showed no benefit versus existing treatment, according to the local medicines agency. Typically very expensive, such drugs extend life by only a few months, explaining insurers’ caution i

The European Parliament called on the European Commission to trigger the so‑called conditionality mechanism against Slovakia, which could lead to a freeze on EU funds. The EC is not required to act on the call, and any freeze would likely take around a year. The EP cited a weakening of anti‑corruption efforts that could result in the misuse of EU subsidies. It noted, for example, that the government failed to investigate fraud involving EU funds used to build private hacienda