This study investigates factors of political participation in Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, and it provides insights on similarities and differences between the Visegrad area and a benchmark of nine Central and Western European countries. The empirical analysis is based on the European Social Survey, and it covers the 8th and the 9th wave (2016-2019). Through linear regression models, the causal relationship between socio-demographic factors and political participation is examined, in comparison with the benchmark. Results are exhibited for each of the different modes of manifest political participation, which are institutional and non-institutional participation, and electoral participation. Then the analysis focuses on two attitudinal factors that are traditionally considered predictors of political participation: latent political participation and external efficacy. Two hypothesis are tested: In comparison with the benchmark, in the Visegrad countries latent political participation is a weaker predictor of political participation, while external efficacy is a stronger predictor of political participation. The different modes of manifest political participation are considered. Finally, differences among the V4 countries are highlighted.