<h2>Introduction: What is GDPR and Why Is It Important for Business in Slovakia</h2>
GDPR is a European-wide regulation on the protection of personal data. Its goal is to ensure citizens have control over their data and to standardize the approach to data processing across all EU countries. In theory, this sounds great. In practice, however, it’s another wave of bureaucracy that complicates life for businesses, especially small ones.
It sounds smart but is implemented awkwardly. Hundreds of pages of legal text just so someone can check a box on a form on a website. But what can you do—compliance is necessary, otherwise, you’ll face fines.
If you run a business in Slovakia, even as a sole proprietor, and process personal data (name, email, phone number of clients)—you are subject to GDPR. This applies to stores, freelancers, agencies, and anyone with a form on their website or a client list.
In this article, we will explain what you need to do to sleep soundly and avoid fines. No unnecessary theory, just practical steps and specific solutions.

<h2>Who Must Comply with GDPR in Slovakia: Sole Proprietors, Companies, Online Services</h2>
GDPR applies to everyone who, as part of their activities, collects, stores, uses, or transfers personal data. It doesn't matter how many clients you have, how small your business is, whether you operate online or offline—if you are a sole proprietor (Slovak: živnostník) or have an LLC in Slovakia, you must comply with GDPR requirements.
Personal data includes not only passport information or photos but also names, phone numbers, email addresses, delivery addresses, IP addresses, correspondence, subscriptions, client and employee data. Even if you just place a "Leave a Request" form on your website, that’s already data processing.
Typical cases include:
<ul style="margin-top: 7px;">
<li>an online store collects client contact details,</li>
<li>an entrepreneur maintains a CRM,</li>
<li>you send newsletters or promotional offers by email—this all falls under GDPR.</li>
</ul>
There are no exceptions for “very small businesses.” The law is the same for everyone.

<h2>Main GDPR Obligations for Entrepreneurs in Slovakia</h2>
To avoid violating GDPR and facing fines, entrepreneurs in Slovakia must follow a set of rules when processing personal data. Here’s what you must do if you collect and process any personal data:
🔹 Inform&nbsp;— you must clearly and transparently inform the client about what data you are collecting, why, on what grounds, and how long you will store it. This is done through a privacy policy or text near the form on your website.
🔹 Obtain consent, if there is no other legal basis. For example, for email newsletters, marketing, the use of cookies, and analytics—explicit consent from the user is required.
🔹 Ensure data protection&nbsp;— you must restrict access to data, store it securely (in password-protected systems, encrypted clouds, etc.), and not share it with third parties without justification.
🔹 Delete data upon request&nbsp;— if a client requests the deletion of their data, you must comply. There are exceptions (for example, if the data is needed for accounting purposes), but generally, the right to "be forgotten" applies.
🔹 Maintain internal documentation&nbsp;— track who does what with the data, where it is stored, and how it is protected. Even if you have 10 clients, a basic table and description of processes should be maintained.
🔹 Notify about data breaches&nbsp;— if a data breach occurs or data is lost/stolen, you must report it to the Office for Personal Data Protection of Slovakia (Úrad na ochranu osobných údajov) within 72 hours.

<h2>Typical Documents for GDPR Compliance: Privacy Policy, Consent, Registers</h2>
To comply with GDPR, an entrepreneur who processes personal data must have certain documents in place.
🔹 Privacy Policy&nbsp;— the primary document in which you explain to your clients what data you collect, why, how it is processed, to whom it is transferred, how long you store it, and how they can request deletion. This document should be published on your website or provided to the client before collecting any data.
🔹 Consent to data processing&nbsp;— needed if you collect data not under a contract but, for example, for marketing, email newsletters, or analytics. Consent must be explicit, voluntary, and documented.

<h2>Responsibility and Fines for Violating GDPR in Slovakia</h2>
Violations are punishable by real fines, and the amounts are significant: up to 20 million euros or up to 4% of annual turnover.
In Slovakia, compliance is monitored by the Office for Personal Data Protection (Úrad na ochranu osobných údajov). Inspections can be complaint-based or random&nbsp;— especially for those who operate online or deal with clients from other EU countries.
In practice, fines are more often imposed for simple mistakes, such as lacking a privacy policy, rather than for data breaches.

<h2>How to Comply with GDPR with the Help of Oki-Doki.sk — Ready Solutions</h2>
We help you avoid getting lost in the GDPR bureaucracy and organize everything so that you won’t have any issues with the authorities.
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<h3>✅&nbsp;We Organize the Necessary Documentation</h3>
Privacy policies, consent templates tailored to your business: online stores, services, agencies, etc. 
<a href="/en/kontakty" target="_blank">👉&nbsp;Contact Us</a>
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GDPR in Slovakia: what sole proprietors and companies must know, how to comply, avoid fines, document templates, best practices.

GDPR Compliance in Slovakia. Duties of Sole Proprietorships and Companies