Bratislava

Map

Overview

Bratislava is the capital of the Slovak Republic and the largest city in the country with a population of approximately 450,000 people. It is situated astride the River Danube in the southwestern part of Slovakia, close to the Austrian border.

Economy

The Bratislava region has attracted the majority of the foreign direct investment that Slovakia has received in recent years and is the most highly developed and strongest economic region in the country. Figures from the Statistical Office of the European Communities, published in 2000, show that the Bratislava region has the second highest GDP per capita of the 50 regions belonging to the countries entering the EU in 2004. Furthermore, according to the Slovak Investment and Trade Agency, unemployment is much lower in Bratislava than in the rest of the country at just over 5 per cent in 2002.

The city's economy has undergone significant changes over the last decade. The progression towards a full market economy has seen a marked decrease in the importance of state owned enterprises coupled with a growth in the service sector. However, Bratislava remains a major industrial centre with the highest density of industry in the country. Some of the main industrial sectors include the automotive industry, chemicals, engineering, food and ICT technologies.

Infrastructure

Bratislava benefits from a good transport infrastructure with excellent international connections. The city is linked to the nearby countries of the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary via a network of high quality roads and highways and also benefits from its own international airport. MR Stefanik international airport is located in an eastern suburb of Bratislava and, while relatively small, is constantly expanding its services. For example, a new budget airline recently established itself at the airport offering flights to several European destinations including Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, Venice and Zurich. In addition, Vienna airport is just 50 kilometres away from Bratislava and can be reached in less than an hour via regular bus services between the city and the airport. It provides flights to approximately 135 destinations worldwide including 35 in Eastern Europe. Flights from Vienna to London take about 2 hours, while New York can be reached in 9 hours.

The city also benefits from a strategic position on the river Danube mid way along the Trans-European waterway that links the Black Sea and the North Sea. Bratislava Port offers excellent facilities for dealing with a variety of cargo and transport methods including liquid cargoes, containers, roll-on roll-off ferries and heavy and over-dimensional deliveries. The port also has an open storage area of 791,000 square metres and a covered storage area of 26,400 square metres.

The city itself has a reliable public transport system comprised of buses, trams and trolley buses.

Workforce

Companies operating in the region have access to a well-educated workforce. Bratislava is home to numerous educational establishments including 3 major universities and 17 industrial researches institutes and, according to the Slovak Investment and Trade Agency, has the highest share of university graduates in the country.

Standard of Living

Bratislava is located in one of the warmest parts of Slovakia and is a lively place with an historic old town that has undergone significant restoration. Some of the main sites of the city include the restored 11th-century Gothic cathedral, the ruins of the former royal palace and the 13th-century town hall. The city also has plenty in the way of entertainment, restaurants and shopping.

Business Costs

According to the CB Richard Ellis in 2007, office rent in Bratislava stood at €287 per square metre per year, making the city one of the lowest cost locations in Europe.

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