Slovakia

Slovak Republic

Civil lawUnitary parliamentary republicReviewed· 2026-08-02

Capital: Bratislava
Population: 5,400,000
Languages: Slovak
Currency: EUR

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Slovakia · Rights

Rights in Slovakia

What the atlas records on rights in Slovakia, checked against the primary sources cited below.

Rights

A 1992 constitution whose amendments the court cannot review

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

The Constitution of 1992 contains its own bill of rights. The Constitutional Court in Košice reviews statutes and hears individual complaints, but held in 2019 that it lacks jurisdiction over constitutional amendments themselves after striking down a judicial-vetting amendment.

Key rules

Amendment requires a three-fifths majority of all members of the National Council.
Individual constitutional complaints are available after other remedies are exhausted.
Human-rights treaties rank above statute under Article 7(5).
EU law has applied since 2004 and takes precedence in its field.

Governing law

Constitution of the Slovak Republic (460/1992)Includes the catalogue of rights.
Constitutional Court Act (314/2018)Current procedural framework.

In practice

A complaint must be lodged within two months of a final decision and requires legal representation; the court can award damages as well as quash the decision.

Sources

Rights

Constitutional rights, the ECHR and a public defender

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

Rights are set out in the Constitution itself rather than a separate charter. Slovakia has been party to the ECHR since 1993, and the Public Defender of Rights may petition the Constitutional Court to review legislation that infringes rights.

Key rules

Rights may be limited only by statute and only proportionately.
The Public Defender may seek constitutional review of rights-infringing laws.
The National Centre for Human Rights acts as the equality body.
Minority language rights apply where a minority reaches the statutory local threshold.

Governing law

Constitution, Title Two (460/1992)Fundamental rights and freedoms.
Anti-Discrimination Act (365/2004)Implements the EU equality directives.
Minority Languages Act (184/1999)Use of minority languages in official contact.

In practice

Complaints to the Public Defender are free and informal, but the office cannot alter a decision; its main lever is publicity and constitutional referral.

Sources

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