Is prostitution legal in Slovakia?
The answer to the question in the title could be a single sentence:
Providing or using escort services is completely legal in Slovakia.
There are however a few caveats to this. In any case, we consider it our duty to assure you that by using escort services in Slovakia you will not break any law.
All types of sex listings are legal and anyone of legal age can offer and provide escort services in Slovakia.
What about legal age?
In Slovakia, providing and using escort services is only allowed after reaching the legal age of eighteen. Although theoretically, sixteen years of age could be sufficient, as it is the age of consent in Slovakia, in practice, it is necessary to follow the age limit of eighteen.
It is important to note that individuals under the age of eighteen are considered minors, and the protection of their health and rights is a priority for the Slovak legal system. Therefore, sexual activity with a minor in Slovakia is considered a criminal offence and can have serious legal consequences.
It should be noted that this applies not only to consensual sexual intercourse with a person under the age of eighteen but also to sexual harassment, blackmail, and other unwanted sexual activities. Therefore, it is important to adhere to age restrictions and ensure that sexual services are provided between consenting adults who are aware of their rights and obligations.
The gray area of Slovak law
As mentioned earlier, prostitution is legal in Slovakia, as no Slovak law prohibits or permits it.
If prostitution is not defined as an offence or a criminal act in Slovakia, we can safely assume it is legal.
Many critics and scaremongers would say that it is in the so-called "grey area" since the law does not explicitly allow the provision of escort services.
However, if the legal code were to include every activity that it prohibits or permits, law students would spend much more time in school. Not to mention the fact that the number of pages required they'd have to memorise would multiply several times over.
What does the actual Slovak law say?
In the current version of the law, prostitution is only mentioned in a few places. These are the sections dealing with criminal offences against freedom. The first mentions can be found in the definitions of terms.
Firstly, as a general definition:
For the purposes of this law, prostitution means the satisfaction of another's sexual needs by means of sexual intercourse, other sexual acts or similar sexual behaviour with an adult for a fee.Paragraph 1, Section 132 of the Criminal Code 300/2005 Coll.
As a definition related to child prostitution:
For the purposes of this law, child prostitution means the satisfaction of another's sexual needs by means of sexual intercourse, other sexual acts, or similar sexual behavior with a child for a fee or promise of a fee, regardless of whether such fee or promise of a fee is given to the child or to a third person.Paragraph 2, Section 132 of the Criminal Code 300/2005 Coll.
The word prostitution is subsequently used in two paragraphs. In both cases, it is defined that forcing someone to perform sexual services is illegal, but not the act of providing or using such services.
The provision of sexual services is mentioned one more time in the legal code, namely in connection with soliciting.
Anyone providing sexual services must act on their own behalf.
Without any intermediary. The solicitation of sexual services, also known as pimping, is covered by a law that is formulated so poorly (as unfortunately is often the case in Slovakia) that almost anyone could be prosecuted for it.
In fact, in extreme cases, even the owner of an apartment who rents it out to a young student, knowing that the rent is not wholly covered by the monthly allowance from her parents...
We will delve more into this issue in a separate blog in the future. In fact, I (the author of this article) have had my own real experience with prosecution for solicitation of sexual services.
However, we can assure you that:
As a client ordering an escort, you are in no way obligated to find out whether the person in the ad is providing their escort services directly or through an intermediary.
Therefore, even if there is a pimp in the background, it does not change the fact that your visit to an adult prostitute is completely legal.
The legality of escort services outside of Slovakia
In some EU countries, the legal age of consent is noticeably lower than in Slovakia. Consequently, the legal age for providing sexual escort services is likely lower as well.
The legality of providing escort services in the EU varies from one country to another. Therefore if you plan on booking escorts outside of Slovakia, we strongly advise you to check the legality of your actions in the said country beforehand.
TLDR;
- In Slovakia, escort services are legal for individuals over 18 years of age.
- As a client, you do not need to determine whether they are provided directly or through an intermediary.
- It is important that the transaction is between consenting adults who are aware of their rights and obligations.
- Keep in mind that the situation abroad may be different and it is advisable to research it before going there so that you know what to expect.
Andy Morávek
Dubbed by the media as "the guru of the Slovak erotic industry". With over twenty years of experience in the sex industry. After being prosecuted and jailed for pimping. He now works only indirectly in the industry as an author of books, articles, and podcasts on provocative and controversial topics. Lately, he himself has takeup up the work of a professional companion.