Slovakia advised to keep €70 per adult in cash for emergencies

The European Central Bank highlights cash as a vital backup payment method when electronic systems fail, such as during power outages, internet disruptions, or banking system failures. While no official Slovak rule exists, the ECB points to a recommendation from the Dutch central bank and the National Payment Forum that households keep enough cash to cover essential expenses for the first 72 hours of a crisis – €70 for each adult and €30 for each child. A family with two adults and two children would therefore aim for roughly €200 in readily accessible banknotes. The advice targets basic needs like water, food, medication and transport, and aligns with an EU call for member states to promote such preparedness.

Cash reserves can be especially useful when point‑of‑sale terminals or ATMs are offline, but they are not a guarantee of purchasing power everywhere. The recommendation is meant as a supplement to other emergency supplies rather than a substitute for savings held in bank accounts.