Doing business in Slovakia for foreigners: full 2025 guide

Citizens of any EU country and foreigners with temporary or permanent resident status have the right to start a company in Slovakia. Migrants may apply for a residence permit to conduct business activities, or operate if they already hold residence on another basis. In practice, doing business in Slovakia for foreigners is carried out under the same conditions and on the same scale as for citizens. The process is regulated by Act No. 513/1991 Coll. (Commercial Code) and related trade licensing rules.

To start a company in Slovakia the procedure depends on the chosen structure (individual/sole trader or legal entity). In all cases you typically: (1) obtain a trade license (Živnostenské oprávnenie) where required and (2) register in the Commercial Register (Obchodný register). Slovakia offers clear advantages for business: access to the EU single market, competitive and stable taxation, political stability, and consistent economic growth.

Foreigners can start a company in Slovakia (s.r.o. or sole trader) after obtaining a trade license and registering in the Commercial Register.

Eligibility and core rules for foreigners

Eligibility to start a business in Slovakia for EU and non-EU citizens. Foreign applicants planning to conduct commercial activities in Slovakia must meet the general requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have full legal capacity;
• Integrity (no criminal record related to the planned business).

What are the necessary steps for an entrepreneur to obtain a residence permit? Individual requirements could be determined by an immigration lawyer.

Depending on the industry, some activities require professional competence (proof of education and prior experience).

The entrepreneur is liable for obligations with all personal assets (for sole traders) and must comply with the Trade Act: act honestly and professionally, pay taxes and fees, and ensure employees’ qualifications match their job duties—even when delegating the business to a representative.

Quick FAQ:

• Can non-EU citizens open an s.r.o.? Yes. It’s possible after obtaining (or while applying for) a residence permit for the purpose of business.
• Can I act via a representative (power of attorney)? Yes. Remote setup through a representative is possible; bank KYC may still require personal presence depending on the bank.
• Do I need professional competence for crafts/regulated trades? Yes, for specific regulated activities; evidence of education/experience is required.

Buy a ready-made company or start a new one?

Whether to buy a ready-made company in Slovakia (shelf company) or register a new s.r.o. depends on your goals and timeline. There are many businesses for sale across sectors at different price points. Transactions are formalized through a simple procedure, and you can become the owner of a Slovak company within days. One advantage of buying an existing organization is that most processes are already established and it has a client and partner base, as well as a reputation and market position.

However, a ready-made brand comes with an existing audience and legacy processes the new owner must work with. When starting a new company in Slovakia, you can design optimal workflows from scratch and align the brand with your strategy. To make the right decision, determine your priorities: buy a business in Slovakia and restructure its operations, or create your own system, which may take more time.

It is also necessary to assess costs and compare the price of a ready-made business with the company registration costs (fees, authorized capital), equipment and goods purchases, marketing, and other tasks already solved in an existing organization. Depending on the niche, the difference in total spend can be significant. You may also consider relocating the business or opening a branch office in Slovakia.

Before buying, perform legal and financial due diligence: check entries in the Commercial Register (Obchodný register), Trade Register (Živnostenský register), and obtain confirmations of no tax/social/health insurance arrears from the seller.

How to start a company in Slovakia: step-by-step

1. Choose and check a company name

   The business name of an individual is their first and last name; a legal entity uses a word/phrase/abbreviation reflecting its activity. The name must be unique and not misleading. Check availability in the Commercial Register (Obchodný register) and avoid confusing similarity with existing trade designations. After registration under a specific name, you must operate under that name.

2. Decide on business structure & registered office

   Determine whether you register as an individual (sole trader with a trade license) or a legal entity (e.g., s.r.o.), the number of managers/partners, and the amount of deposit/share capital per the chosen form. You must have a legal address/registered office in Slovakia (non-residential premises, apartment, or house) based on ownership or lease.

3. Notify the Trade Licensing Office & file for a trade license (Živnostenské oprávnenie)

   Apply to the competent Trade Licensing Office (Živnostenský úrad) at your place of business. Provide personal data, company name, address, period of activity, representative in Slovakia (if you permanently reside abroad and need someone to receive notices), criminal record status, and information needed for tax and compulsory health insurance registration. Prepare the required constituent documents.

4. Obtain the trade authorization (trade license)

   After the authority reviews the file and confirms you meet the requirements, the trade license is typically issued within three days of receipt of your request and documents. The document includes personal and business data and the license validity period (if limited). Upon request, the Statistical Office assigns an identification number according to special regulation.

5. Register in the Commercial/Trade Register

   Data on sole traders and legal entities is stored in the information system; part of it is public. Submit your Commercial Register filing electronically or at the Trade Licensing Office. Processing time is usually ~2 working days, after which the business can begin operating.

6. Fulfil post-registration obligations

   Within 30 days of starting a business, register with the tax administrator and obtain a taxpayer identification number (TIN). If you have at least one employee, register the employee with the health and social insurance funds within 8 days of the company’s founding. A legal entity should also open a business bank account.

Organizing a company in Slovakia is a multi-stage process that requires preparing documents according to the norms, registering with the relevant bodies, and initiating the necessary procedures. To better understand the legal aspects, consider seeking the help of specialists.

Company registration basics

The process of establishing a commercial enterprise in Slovakia depends on whether you act as an individual (sole trader with a business license/Živnostenské oprávnenie) or as a legal entity (e.g., s.r.o., a.s.). In all cases, you notify the Trade Licensing Office, obtain the relevant business license in Slovakia, and submit the necessary filings to the Commercial Register (Obchodný register). Depending on the selected form, you will prepare articles/statutes, partnership agreements, declarations and other documents reflecting the number of participants and governance structure.

Legal forms of business in Slovakia

When establishing a Slovak company, you may operate as an individual on the basis of a trade license (Živnostenské oprávnenie) or as a self-employed farmer, or create a legal entity. Most small businesses start with a trade license; legal entities are common for scaling and limiting liability.

Partnerships & companies (legal entities):

• Public company (verejná obchodná spoločnosť, v.o.s.)

  Requires two or more partners. No statutory minimum capital. Founders guarantee obligations with all their assets. Each partner can manage the company per agreed rules; profits are shared equally.

• Limited partnership (komanditná spoločnosť, k.s.)

  One or more limited partners (komanditisti) guarantee up to their unpaid deposit recorded in the register (minimum €250), while one or more general partners (komplementári) are liable with all assets. Only general partners manage the company.

• Limited liability company (spoločnosť s ručením obmedzeným, s.r.o.)

  Can be registered by 1–50 partners. Liability is limited up to the amount of each partner’s contribution. Minimum registered capital: €5,000; minimum individual contribution: €750. Partners are entitled to a proportionate share of profits.

• Joint-stock company (akciová spoločnosť, a.s.)

  May be private or public; established by one legal entity or at least two individuals. Minimum registered capital: €25,000. Shares represent shareholders’ rights to participate in management.

• Simple joint-stock company (jednoduchá spoločnosť na akcie, j.s.a.)

  A flexible form suitable for startups; can be founded by one or more persons. Minimum capital from €1 (with specific solvency rules). Shares are typically book-entry; governance is simplified.

• Cooperative (družstvo)

  An unlimited community; minimum 5 members (or at least 2 legal entities). The basic capital is the sum of membership contributions, minimum €1,250.

Required documents

Below are the core documents for a trade license in Slovakia (Živnostenské oprávnenie) and for company registration, split by applicant type. Always provide originals or certified copies with official translations where required.

For an individual (sole trader):

• ID document confirming age of majority (passport/ID)
• Criminal record certificate (no relevant convictions) — recent extract
• Proof of professional competence (if activity is regulated: education/experience)
• Right to use premises as the place of business (ownership or lease); landlord consent if applicable
• Representative in Slovakia to receive notices (if permanently residing abroad)
• Completed application form for an individual (trade license / registration)

For a legal entity (e.g., s.r.o., a.s.):

• ID documents of founders/managing directors
• Criminal record certificates (where required for statutory representatives)
• Founding documents (articles of association / memorandum, resolutions)
• Proof of registered office (ownership or lease; landlord consent if applicable)
• Proof of paid-in contributions / share capital (per chosen legal form)
• Proof of professional competence for regulated activities (if any)
• Details of the company’s representative in Slovakia (service of notices, if founders reside abroad)
• Completed application forms for a legal entity (trade license and Commercial Register filing)

Costs and processing times

The total cost of registering a company in Slovakia depends on the type of activity and whether or not there is authorized capital. During the registration process, administrative fees must be paid: EUR 5 for each type of free trade and EUR 15 for each type of handicraft or related activity. If requests are submitted electronically only, the 5 EUR fee is waived, and the applicant must pay a total of EUR 7.50. To obtain an extract from the public part of the commercial register, you must pay an additional EUR 3.

A permit for trading activities is issued within three days, after which the applicant can pick up the document in person, receive it at their address, or retrieve it electronically. Then, they can submit the information for registration in the trade registry. Next, the applicant must register with the tax office. This request is processed within a month. The process of registering a company in Slovakia otherwise depends on how long it takes to collect and prepare the documents for submission to the trade registry.

Business Taxation: corporate and personal rates

According to Slovakia’s tax policy, legal entities and individuals must pay income tax. The tax rates for individuals include:

• 19% for a tax base that does not exceed 176.8 times the subsistence minimum;
• 25% of the amount that exceeds 176.8 times the minimum subsistence level.

The rate based on the corporate tax base, minus the loss declared for the tax period beginning no earlier than January 1, 2017, is 21% of the special tax base, as determined by § 51e, paragraph 4, of the Income Tax Act. The corporate tax rate is 15% for taxpayers with income (revenue) not exceeding EUR 100,000 during the tax period.

Legal entities registered in the register of entrepreneurs and public authorities have an obligation to register with the Slovak tax office. The applicant submits a request to the local competent tax authority. A registration application is available to the public on the Financial Administration of the Slovak Republic portal and at each tax inspectorate. If the applicant meets the requirements, the registration request is processed on the application date, and a decision assigning an individual identification number is made within 30 days.

Business ideas for Slovakia (what to open)

When it comes to the Slovak market, the needs of its residents, and the level of competition, the following business ideas could be worth exploring:

1. Household services (cleaning and handyman services)

   The European mentality is such that people would rather call a specialist if something breaks or delegate household chores to professionals to find time for themselves. Therefore, cleaning services are in steady demand. With high-quality service and a competent marketing campaign, you can quickly establish a strong presence in the market. Initially, the business will not require large investments — it is enough to purchase materials, and you can start with a small team, gradually expanding as demand grows. You can start as a self-employed individual and, as profitability increases, consider forming a limited liability company (LLC) or a private joint-stock company. If you choose to work as an LLC, keep in mind that the minimum capital amount is EUR 5,000.

2. Logistics services

   There are many promising business ideas in this field. With a minimum amount of capital and your own car, you can start providing services as a self-employed individual or rent additional transportation. Opening a full-fledged logistics corporation for cargo transportation requires more substantial investments but also offers higher profitability. Depending on your authorized capital, partners, and entrepreneurial goals, you can consider different business structures, such as an LLC, public company, or joint-stock company.

3. Beauty industry

   Services such as manicures, makeup, haircuts, hairstyling, and grooming are in constant demand. With a competent marketing approach and a high level of service, there is an opportunity to stand out in the industry. To be successful, it is important to choose an optimal location for the salon, hire qualified personnel, and provide excellent service. For beauty industry establishments, the most suitable business structure is a limited liability company (LLC), so plan for expenses no less than the minimum capital required by law for an LLC.

Residence permit via business

A residence permit in Slovakia can be granted for the purpose of conducting commercial activities. Applicants must submit a request and a document that confirms their legal grounds, such as an extract from the commercial registry, a business plan, a notarized record of authority to conduct business, or other evidence of commercial activity. If the foreigner is legally in the country, the application with the dossier is submitted to the police department; if not, it is submitted to the embassy. The maximum period for which a residence permit can be granted is three years. The administrative service fee for filing an application in Slovakia is EUR 232, and the corresponding fee for applications filed from abroad is EUR 240. An additional fee of EUR 4.50 must be paid for the issuance of a residence card. Additionally, consider the costs of registering a commercial organization. The decision-making period for issuing a temporary residence permit in the context of entrepreneurship does not exceed 90 days.

Professional assistance with EU residency and company setup

In addition to the option of obtaining a Slovak residence permit by opening or relocating a business in the country, there is also the opportunity to obtain a residence permit or even a passport prior to engaging in commercial activities. With more favorable migration status, foreigners become eligible for loans, government business support programs, and grants. Migration law specialists can provide more detailed advice on the matter.

The client-oriented lawyers at iWorld are ready to help foreigners legally stay in Slovakia based on any suitable criteria.