How to get self-employed in Slovakia? i

It takes only 11 steps to run your own business in Slovakia! Clear guide, template documents and precise instructions on how to fill them out. It won’t get any easier than this.

Before we begin…

Do you know the terms and differences between different forms of companies in Slovakia? If not…
Do you have the Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)? If not…

Step 1:
Select the type of your business

Tied and Craft Trades

These trades require a proof of professional competence (certificate, education, training etc.) and an approval from the relevant office.

The addition of each Tied and Craft Trade to your business costs 7,5€ (in case of electronic submission, paper submission is 15€).

Download the full list
Free Trades

Do not need to prove any proffesional competence.

The addition of each Free Trade is free of charge (only if submitted electronically).

Download the full list

Step 2:
Choose your business name

Choose your business name

Obchodné meno spoločnosti

Obchodné meno je možné ochrániť aj ochrannou známkou. Musí byť však používané na výrobkoch, reklamných materiáloch alebo poskytovaných službách. Súčasne je potrebné dodržať to, že obchodné meno musí byť rozlíšiteľné a nesmie obsahovať označenia, ktoré sa stali obvyklými v bežnom jazyku alebo zaužívaných zvyklostiach. Registrovať obchodné meno ako ochrannú známku

Čítaj ďalej >
Check if the name you chose already exists

Step 3:
Optional attachment: Proof of professional competence ?
(Only for craft and tied trades)

Confirmation of proof of professional competence
“The Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic issues certificates of competence to perform a regulated trade in the Slovak Republic for use in the Member States of the European Union.

Application for the issue of a certificate of competence to perform a regulated trade.

Attachments to the application:
  • Proof of nationality of the applicant, it is sufficient to provide a legible photocopy of the certificate of nationality
  • Officially certified photocopies of professional qualifications (eg apprenticeship certificate, evidence of formal qualifications, etc.) ”
Alternative method of recognition of professional competence in the form of recognition of professional experience or qualification.
The alternative method of recognition of professional competence is permitted only for Slovak citizens and citizens from EU Member States, the EEA and Switzerland.

*We recommend consulting the validity of the foreign proof of competence with the Trade Licensing Office.

It may be necessary to nostrify the certificate.

Download document template

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Read more about this option

Step 4:
Certificate of the criminal records (integrity)

At the moment for the citizens of Ukraine, a certificate of integrity issued by the Embassy of Ukraine is sufficient.

Instructions for obtaining the certificate:

The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovakia is temporarily certifying the application (Affidavit of Integrity) for integrity in Ukraine instead of the “Certificate of Integrity”.

Required documents:
– Passport + copy;
– Copy of your Domestic passport
– The consular fee is 18 euros.

Payment is made by a bank card at the consulate
Address: Radvanská 35 81101 Bratislava

It is neccessary to register online before visiting the Embassy at this link.
Download the Affidavit of Integrity

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Register for an appointment

Step 5:
Choose your company headquarters

Your own office
  • Must be an approved building.

  • If you are the only owner, you do not have to prove the ownership or usage rights.

  • In case of spouses’ ownership, you need the consent of the spouse.

  • In case of joint venture, you must have the written consent of the majority of the unit-holders with notary certified signatures.
 
 
Document template - Owner consent
Leased office
  • In the lease agreement can be stated: “the premises can be used for business purposes

  • The property must be approved and marked with an official number.

  • You need the owner’s consent, with officially certified signatures.

  • In the case of joint venture, you must have the written consent of the majority of the unit-holders with officially certified signatures. 
Document template - Owner consent
Virtual office

Address rental service for the purposes of registration in the Commercial Register and mail receiving.

Charged from € 10 per month, depending on the package of services they provide, such as:

  • Mail notification
  • Mail forwarding
  • Retrieving registered mail
* the document must have notarized signatures. This will cost approximately 2€ and you will need proof of identity to verify your signature.
Find a notary in your area

Step 6:
Filling out and submitting the trade registration form
and issuing a trade license certificate

How to fill out and submit the form with attachments?
It’s easy, just get a Qualified Electronic Signature and follow our instructions.
Necessary attachments
  • Property usage permitt (step 5)
  • Certificate of Integrity (step 4)
 
Optional attachments:
  • Proof of professional competence
* all attachments must be electronically signed
Download a simple tutorial

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Fill in the electronic form

Step 7:
Obtaining a trade license

If everything is alright, the certificate will be delivered to you by post.
 
If the application does not meet all the requirements, the Office will ask you to fix the defects within a reasonable time (at least fifteen days, including the weekends).

Step 8:
Registration for personal income tax

Self-employed person is obligated apply to the tax administrator for registration by the end of the calendar month following the end of the month in which the permit or business license was obtained.

1. Fill out the online form below
2. Download it in the format .xml
3. Go to the portal slovensko.sk, where this

Fill out the form

&

Submit it electronically

Step 9:
Registration to the health insurance company

Self-employed person is obligated to pay for his own health insurance.
You can choose your health insurance provider among health insurance companies: Dôvera, Všeobecná Zdravotná Poisťovňa a Union.
Benefits comparison

Step 10:
Obtaining a trade license

If everything is alright, the certificate will be delivered to you by post.
If the application does not meet all the requirements, the Office will ask you to fix the defects within a reasonable time (at least fifteen days, including the weekends).

Step 11:
Application for temporary residence

Obtaining a temporary residence for business purposes is a separate process that the link below will guide you through.
The application form must be submitted to the relevant Foreign Police department and the process can take up to 90 days.
The process of obtaining a residence

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Application form

Do not forget to...

  • … mark new s.r.o. on the mailbox, it is a legal obligation.
  • … check the electronic mailbox on the slovensko.sk portal regularly, the state will communicate with you in certain matters exclusively electronically.
  • … Process accounting, whether by you or by an accounting firm.

Congratulations!
You made it, this is your start in Slovakia

Contact

SAEI – Slovenská asociácia exportérov a importérov

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