Our embassy in Bratislava

The British Embassy in Bratislava is part of the UK foreign ministry, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO has diplomatic missions in capital cities throughout the world. In Commonwealth countries these are known as high commissions and in other countries embassies. In some countries there are also consulates, which are smaller and based in major cities besides the capital. The FCO also runs missions to international organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union.

The British Embassy in Bratislava represents the British government in Slovakia. Its role is to liaise with the Slovak government and institutions on behalf of UK ministries and official institutions and to deliver the UK’s priorities in Slovakia. The head of the Embassy is the Ambassador, who is Her Majesty The Queen’s representative and as such the United Kingdom's official representative in Slovakia.

Structure of the British Embassy in Bratislava

The Embassy consists of the following sections:

Political and Press Section

Political Section, also known as Chancery, is the main channel of communication between the UK and Slovak government. The Ambassador and Chancery officers maintain close links with Slovak ministers and officials in order to promote the views of the British government, and exchange views on matters of common interest, including EU policy. This section is also in charge of the Embassy's media and public relations. It works to improve understanding of the UK and help deliver the UK’s international strategic priorities in Slovakia. Activities include providing information on the UK and UK policies to the Slovak media, public, officials and academics; arranging press briefings, articles and interviews.

Trade and Investment Section

Promoting British exports and inward investment into the UK is the FCO's largest overseas activity. Trade and Investment Section works as part of UK Trade and Investment, a partnership between the FCO and the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, to develop and promote British trade overseas and promote and advise on Slovak investment in the UK. For this purpose Trade and Investment Section staff provide a range of services to UK and Slovak businesses, drawing on their specialist knowledge of the market. For further information, visit the Doing business section of this website.

Consular Section

Consular staff protect the interests of British citizens visiting or living in Slovakia. Main services include helping British citizens in distress. For further information, visit the Help for British Nationals and Passports sections of this website.

Visa Section

The British Embassy in Warsaw processes visa applications made at the British Embassy Bratislava . Please go to the Visa page for more information on this.

Defence Section

Defence Section is an arm of the UK Ministry of Defence. Its role is to coordinate bilateral matters between the British Armed Forces and the Slovak army, and the British and Slovak Defence Ministries. For further information, visit the Defence section page (under Working with Slovakia section) on this website.