Border Crossings Between Czechia and Slovakia

The border between Czechia and Slovakia is a testament to one of the most peaceful and orderly national separations in modern history. Following the “Velvet Divorce” on January 1, 1993, what was once an internal administrative line became an international border. However, it has never felt like a hard frontier. With both nations in the Schengen Area, the line is completely open, and the shared language and culture make the transition almost imperceptible. There are nearly two dozen major road crossings and many more smaller ones, allowing for effortless movement between the two countries.

You can travel on major motorways connecting cities like Brno and Bratislava, or you can explore the border in more scenic regions. In the beautiful Beskydy Mountains, hiking trails weave back and forth across the border, marked only by small stone pillars. Along the Morava River, which forms the border for a stretch, local life continues as it has for centuries, with communities on both banks remaining closely connected. The ease of crossing and the deep cultural similarities make this frontier a prime example of how two independent nations can maintain a relationship that feels more like that of close siblings than distant neighbors.