A project in Slovakia?
Slovakia isn't yet part of our established network of local contacts. We assess every project case by case, though, and can bring in a trusted local partner (lawyer, accountant) if needed to create and direct your structure.
The path to creating a s.r.o. in Slovakia, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 7 to 10 days for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: €5,000.
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Notarial deed or lawyer-authorised contract
The incorporation deed must now take the form of a notarial deed or a lawyer-authorised contract; a simple electronic signature is no longer enough.
No mandatory bank deposit
A declaration by the capital contributions administrator is sufficient; physically depositing the capital (€5,000) into a bank account is no longer a direct legal requirement.
Registration
Standard timeframe when the documents are complete and error-free.
Proof of residence
A third-country national must hold a Slovak residence permit and attach it to the file filed with the commercial register.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 23% | |
| Reduced rates | 19% | selected products under the tax-schedule annex |
| Reduced rates | 5% | basic food products, medical devices, press, accommodation |
Corporate tax
21%.
Is a visa required?
No for an EU/OECD national. For others, a residence permit is needed to hold the director role — precise visa details could not be confirmed in this research.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in Slovakia required?
An EU or OECD national can act as director without a specific residency condition. A national of another country, however, must hold a Slovak residence permit to be appointed director.
Observed timeframe to open the account
1 to 2 weeks; since 2016, no physical bank deposit is legally required for the share capital, which simplifies the initial opening.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: €5,000.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease and notifying the establishment to the trade licensing office (živnostenský úrad).
On-site sales & till
An online cash register (eKasa) is mandatory for all retail sales, transmitting sales data to the tax authority in real time.
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- myPOS
- Shopify POS
- Lightspeed
Payment providers for small businesses
- Stripe
- PayPal Business
- Adyen
- Besteron (acquéreur local)
- GoPay
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Slovakia.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Slovak Financial Administration — Customs.
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in Slovakia — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.