<h2>Introduction: How to Start a Business in Slovakia and Where to Begin</h2>
<p>Slovakia is one of the few countries in the European Union where foreigners can <b>run a business on equal terms with Slovaks.</b></p>
<p>An individual entrepreneur <i>(Slovak: živnosť)</i> is a simple and convenient format: minimal accounting, low contributions, and the ability to suspend or close without complex procedures.</p>
<p>For an LLC <sup>(Slovak: s.r.o.)</sup>, there is an attractive corporate tax rate of <b>10% with a turnover of <samp>up to €100,000 per year.</samp></b></p>
<p>It is especially beneficial to operate as an individual entrepreneur in the first year: with an income of <samp>around €33,000</samp>, the tax burden is <b><samp>about 7%,</samp></b> and from the second year onwards, it is <b><samp>about 16%.</samp></b></p>
<p>Detailed information on taxes and contributions can be found in our articles: <a href="https://ukon.sk/blog/dane-a-odvody-zivnostnika" target="_blank">taxes for individual entrepreneurs</a>, taxes for LLCs.</p>

<h2>Business Forms in Slovakia: Sole Proprietorship (živnosť) and Company (s.r.o.)</h2>
<p>There are several legal forms of doing business in Slovakia. In practice, foreign entrepreneurs most often choose one of two options:</p>
<h3>Sole Proprietor <i>(Slovak: živnostník)</i></h3>
<p>A simple format for freelancers, consultants, craftsmen, and small businesses. Minimal requirements, quick registration, favorable taxation in the first year, and simple reporting. Suitable for both locals and foreigners (including those with temporary protection).</p>
<h3>Limited Liability Company <i>(Slovak: s.r.o.)</i></h3>
<p>A legal entity with limited liability for the founders. Ideal for scalable businesses, hiring employees, and partnership projects. Mandatory accounting and reporting, corporate tax rate is 10% with income <samp>up to €100,000 per year.</samp></p>
<h3>Other Forms of Business</h3>
<p>There are also joint-stock companies <i>(Slovak: a.s.),</i> cooperatives, non-profit organizations, and branches of foreign companies. However, they are rarely used and require more complex management and reporting structures.</p>

<h2>Who Can Register a Business in Slovakia: EU Citizens and Third-Country Nationals</h2>
<p>The registration procedure depends on citizenship and residence status. The conditions vary by four main categories.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>⚠️ Important:</b> Restrictions on citizenship and residence permit apply only to directors. The company founder can be anyone—citizenship and residence status do not matter.</p></div>
<h3>Slovak Citizens and Foreigners with Permanent Residence in Slovakia</h3>
<p>The registration process is the simplest. Both sole proprietorships and legal entities are available. Minimal documentation and short processing times.</p>
<h3>EU, EEA, OECD Citizens</h3>
<p>Registration of sole proprietorships and companies is possible without a residence permit. A foreign passport, a criminal record certificate (with apostille and translation), and a confirmed business address in Slovakia are required.</p>
<p><i><u>European Union (EU) countries:</u> Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.</i></p>
<p><i><u>European Economic Area (EEA) countries:</u> All EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.</i></p>
<p><i><u>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries:</u> Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA</i></p>
<h3>Third-Country Nationals with Valid Residence Permit or Temporary Protection Status</h3>
<p>Registration is possible, but it includes additional requirements: a criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship, a certified translation, and address confirmation. The residence permit status must allow entrepreneurial activity.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><b>✅&nbsp;Types of residence permits allowing business activity:</b>
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li>Residence permit for entrepreneurship <i>(podnikanie)</i></li>
<li>Residence permit for family reunification <i>(zlúčenie rodiny)</i></li>
<li>Residence permit for study <i>(štúdium)</i></li>
<li>Residence permit for scientific or research activities</li>
<li>Residence permit for temporary protection status <i>(dočasné útočisko)</i></li>
<li>Slovak card</li>
<li><u>Permanent residence</u> in another EU country</li>
</ul></div>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><b>❌&nbsp;Types of residence permits where business registration is not allowed:</b>
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li>Residence permit for employment <i>(zamestnanie)</i></li>
<li>Residence permit issued in another EU country</li>
</ul></div>
<h3>Third-Country Nationals Without Residence Permit</h3>
<p>It is not possible to register a business without obtaining a residence permit that allows entrepreneurial activity. This is a separate procedure that we have detailed in our article: <a href="/en/blog/povolenie-na-pobyt-slovensko" target="_blank">Residence Permit in Slovakia.</a></p>

<h2>Registering a Sole Proprietorship in Slovakia (živnostník): Step-by-Step with Examples</h2>
<h3>1. Document Preparation</h3>
<ul>
<li>Foreign passport or residence permit card,</li>
<li><b>Criminal record certificate</b> from the country of citizenship or from the country where the foreigner has lived for more than 6 months in the last 5 years <i>(with apostille and certified translation into Slovak)</i>;</li>
<li><b>Consent to use the business address</b> (we provide a virtual business address for the sole proprietorship for €45 per year).</p></li>
</ul>
<h3>2. Online Registration</h3>
<p>Data is entered through our service. Documents are signed online. We prepare the application and submit it to the authorities.</p>
<h3>3. Receiving the License</h3>
<p>Within 1-3 business days, the entrepreneur receives the registration certificate, and information about the sole proprietorship is automatically published in the: <b><a href="http://zrsr.sk" target="_blank">Entrepreneurs' Register <i>(zrsr.sk)</i></a></b> and <b><a href="/en/utils/register-podnikov" target="_blank">our website's register</a>.</b></p>

<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><b>⚠️ Important:</b> If the applicant is a third-country national <i>without a residence permit allowing entrepreneurial activity,</i> the license will be issued, but:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li>The entrepreneur <b>will not be published in the Entrepreneurs' Register;</b></li>
<li>They <b>won't be able to conduct business</b> until they obtain the relevant residence permit;</li>
<li>Nevertheless, this license allows you to <b>apply for a residence permit for entrepreneurship</b> (more details in our <a href="/en/blog/povolenie-na-pobyt-slovensko" target="_blank">separate article about business residence permits</a>).</li>
</ul></div>

<h2>Registering an LLC (s.r.o.) in Slovakia: Steps, Documents, and Deadlines</h2>
<h3>1. Preparation of Founding Documents and Data</h3>
<p style="margin-bottom: 5px;">You will need:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li>Passport or residence permit <b>for all founders and directors;</b></li>
<li><b>Criminal record certificate</b> for each director— from the country of citizenship or the country where the person has lived for more than 6 months in the last 5 years (with apostille and certified translation into Slovak);</li>
<li><b>Consent to use the business address</b> (we provide a virtual address for registering an LLC for €200 per year).</li>
</ul>
<p>We prepare all founding documents (statutes, founding resolutions, consent from directors, etc.).</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>⚠️ Important:</b> The company founder can be a citizen of any country. The citizenship and residence requirements apply only to directors.</p></div>
<h3>2. Registration in the Commercial Register</h3>
<p>Documents are submitted to the court. Review time is up to 10 business days. After registration, an IČO is assigned.</p>
<h3>3. Receiving the License and Publication in Registers</h3>
<p>After the company is registered, it is assigned a <b>IČO <i>(Business ID)</i>.</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 5px;">Information about the company is automatically published in:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li><b><a href="https://zrsr.sk" target="_blank">the Entrepreneurs' Register (zrsr.sk),</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="https://orsr.sk" target="_blank">the Commercial Register (orsr.sk),</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="/en/utils/register-podnikov" target="_blank">our website's register.</a></b></li>
</ul>

<h2>Challenges in Opening a Business in Slovakia and How We Help Solve Them</h2>
<p>Registering a business in Slovakia seems simple, but in practice, entrepreneurs often encounter several bureaucratic and technical nuances:</p>
<h3>1. The Need for a Business Address</h3>
<p>For registering a sole proprietorship or a company in Slovakia, a legal address is required—the business will officially be registered at this address. However, foreign citizens often do not have property or acquaintances willing to provide an address and arrange consent.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>✅ Solution:</b> We provide a <b>virtual business address</b> for sole proprietors for <b><samp>€45 per year,</samp></b> for LLCs – <b><samp>€200 per year</samp></b> with ready documents. Learn more about business addresses in our article: <a href="/en/blog/business-address-slovakia" target="_blank">Virtual address for sole proprietors/LLCs.</a></p></div>
<h3>2. Criminal Record Certificate with Apostille and Translation</h3>
<p>A criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship or residence, with apostille and certified translation into Slovak, is required. This is one of the most challenging and common sources of delays.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>✅ Solution:</b> We will provide a <b>certified translation of the criminal record</b> into Slovak. We also handle criminal record certificates from <b>Ukraine</b> and <b>Poland</b>—with delivery and official translation.<br/>
<a href="/en/sluzby/prekladatelske-sluzby" target="_blank">👉 Learn more about certified translations.</a></p></div>
<h3>3. Communication with Authorities</h3>
<p>To submit documents, you need to interact with the Commercial Register, District Administration, Entrepreneurs’ Register, and other authorities through the state portal slovensko.sk. However, most foreigners, as well as many Slovak citizens, do not have access to this portal – using it requires a Slovak e-signature <sup>(Slovak: KEP)</sup> and residence permit/Slovak passport activated for electronic communication with authorities.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>✅ Solution:</b> We handle all communication with government authorities based on a signed power of attorney.</p></div>
<h3>4. Residence Permit (If Required)</h3>
<p>For third-country nationals without a residence permit or temporary protection, it is not possible to run a business. You must obtain a residence permit for entrepreneurship.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>✅ Solution:</b> Our partners will assist with <b>obtaining a business residence permit</b>—from consultation to preparing all documents and supporting you with the police.<br/>👉 <a href="/en/sluzby/prekladatelske-sluzby" target="_blank">Learn more about obtaining a residence permit.</a></p></div>
<h3>5. Trusted Person for Receiving Correspondence (For Sole Proprietors)</h3>
<p>A sole proprietor without permanent residence in Slovakia must appoint a trusted person to receive official correspondence. The trusted person must have permanent residence in Slovakia.</p>
<p>If the individual entrepreneur does not have permanent residence in Slovakia, they must appoint a trusted person to receive official correspondence from government authorities. The trusted person must have permanent residence in Slovakia.</p>
<div class="blog-disclaimer"><p><b>✅ Solution:</b> We do not burden our clients with this formality—we provide a trusted person for each client in the form of the company Úkon.sk s.r.o.</p></div>

<h2>How to Register a Business in Slovakia: First Steps and Support</h2>
<p>Starting a business in Slovakia with OkiDoki is easy. We have already prepared everything for you:</p>
<div class="blog-services">
<h3>✅&nbsp;Register a Sole Proprietorship with a Virtual Address for 2 Years – only <samp>€150</samp></h3>
<p>The perfect solution for freelancers, consultants, and small businesses. No trips, no queues, no difficulties.<br/>
<a href="/en/sluzby/zalozenie-zivnosti" target="_blank">👉&nbsp;Learn more about registering a sole proprietorship</a></p>
</div>
<div class="blog-services">
<h3>✅&nbsp;Open Your Company in Slovakia <i>(Slovak: s.r.o.)</i></h3> 
<p>A legal entity with a 10% corporate tax rate and full support at all stages of registration.<br/>
<a href="/en/sluzby/zalozenie-sro" target="_blank">👉&nbsp;Learn more about registering a company</a></p>
</div>
<div class="blog-services">
<h3>✅&nbsp;Criminal Record Certificate Translation and Processing</h3>
<p>We translate criminal record certificates with apostille into Slovak by certified translators. We also assist in obtaining certificates from <b>Ukraine</b> and <b>Poland</b>—with delivery and official translation.<br/>
<a href="/en/sluzby/prekladatelske-sluzby" target="_blank">👉&nbsp;Criminal record from Ukraine</a> <br/>
<a href="/en/sluzby/prekladatelske-sluzby" target="_blank">👉&nbsp;Criminal record from Poland</a></p>
</div>
<div class="blog-services">
<h3>✅&nbsp;Get a Consultation</h3>
<p>If you're not sure what to choose or where to start, we will advise you and suggest the optimal option based on your status and goals.</p>
</div>


How foreigners can register a business in Slovakia: forms, taxes, accounting, deadlines, documents, online submission, assistance.

Business Registration in Slovakia: Limited Liability Company (s.r.o.) or Sole Proprietorship