Obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia on the basis of entrepreneurial activity (e.g. for running a business or a startup) is a common route for foreign nationals who want to legally reside and work in the country. The process involves several steps and requirements.

The main steps are:

  1. Registering a company or sole proprietorship
  2. Preparing a business plan
  3. Obtaining a tax number and opening a bank account
  4. Submitting an application for a residence permit to your local Foreign Police Department or through the Slovak Consulate in your country.

  5. It can take 90 to 120 days to process your application.

  6. Undergoing a medical examination and registering with an insurance company.

Company and Sole proprietorship in Slovakia

Registering a company in Slovakia is a fairly straightforward process that involves a few key steps. The basic information and steps you need to take to register a business in Slovakia are:

  1. Choosing a company form

There are several forms of business that can be registered in Slovakia. The most popular ones are:

-LLC (s.r.o.) — a limited liability company, the most common form for small and medium-sized businesses.

-Joint-stock company (a.s.) — suitable for larger companies that plan to issue shares.

-Sole proprietorship (živnostník) — a form for individuals who want to operate as entrepreneurs.

  1. Choosing a company name

Your company name must be unique and not infringe on the rights of other companies. You can check the availability of the name through the Registrar of Enterprises (Obchodný register).

  1. Determining a legal address

Every company in Slovakia must have a legal address. It can be both in Slovakia and in other EU countries, if you have the appropriate agreements.

  1. Capital and other requirements

Minimum share capital:

For LLC (s.r.o.) – at least 5,000 euros. However, to start the activity it is enough to contribute only 750 euros, the remaining amount can be contributed within three years.

For joint-stock company (a.s.) – at least 25,000 euros.

For joint-stock companies, additional conditions are also required, such as a minimum number of shareholders (2) and a minimum number of directors (2).

  1. Preparation of constituent documents

Documents that need to be prepared for company registration:

  • Company Articles of Association (for LLC or joint-stock company).
  • Minutes of the founders.
  • Lease agreement or confirmation of legal address.
  • Identity documents of the founders (passport or other document).
  1. Opening a bank account and contributing the share capital

  • After preparing the documents, you need to open a corporate bank account in one of the banks in Slovakia and contribute the share capital. Banks may request confirmation of the legal origin of the funds.

  1. Registration in the commercial register

  • After all the documents have been prepared and the share capital has been contributed, you need to apply for registration in the Commercial Register (Obchodný register). This can be done online through the eZALO system, or through a notary.

  1. Obtaining a tax number and registering with the tax authorities
  • After registering in the commercial register, you need to register the company with the Tax Office to obtain a taxpayer identification number (DIČ).
  • You will also need to register your company for value added tax (VAT) if your company plans to engage in activities subject to VAT.
  1. Obtaining licenses and permits

  • Depending on the type of activity, your company may need to obtain additional licenses or permits. For example, for trading operations, construction or medical activities.
  1. Registering with social and health insurance
  • A company must register with social and health insurance if it employs employees. To do this, you need to contact your local insurance institutions.
  1. Hiring employees
  • If you plan to employ employees, you will need to register them with social and health insurance, as well as provide them with vacation rights, wages and other benefits.

Registration time

The registration process usually takes 1 to 2 weeks if all documents are prepared correctly.

Important points:

There are several languages ​​in Slovakia, but the official language is Slovak. Therefore, all documents must be in Slovak or notarized. It is recommended to contact local lawyers or consultants to avoid mistakes in the registration process and to comply with all legal requirements. The process may vary depending on the type of business and region, so it is always useful to consult with professional consultants on company registration in Slovakia.