Obtain Business Permits and Licenses in Slovakia

Entrepreneurs who want to open a company in Slovakia may be required to apply for a business license from the Trading Licensing Office in order to conduct business in this country. Operations like engineering, accounting, and even hairdressing are subject to obtaining permits. Such activities have to be effectuated by a competent natural person, meaning who possesses the required education and/or qualifications. Our Slovak lawyers can provide further information on what these special activities consist of and can help you obtain business permits and licenses in Slovakia.

The trade license in Slovakia

A trade license in Slovakia is permission to undertake activities that characterize the scope of a trade business and are effective for the whole territory of Slovakia. Such a permit covers all activities that do not require special authorizations.

Quick Facts
Business licensing regulations	– the Slovak Company Law, – the Trade Licensing Act.
Requirement of business licenses for companies in Slovakia (YES/NO)	Yes, for certain businesses.
Possibility to obtain a business permit as a natural person (YES/NO)	Yes, sole traders can also apply for business licenses in Slovakia.
Special licensing requirements for foreign companies (if any)	Yes, it depends on the sector in which they will operate.
Special licensing conditions for foreign citizens (if any)	Having residency in Slovakia.
Types of business permits in Slovakia	– general, – industry-based business permits.
Authorities that issue business/trade licenses in Slovakia	– the Trade Licensing Office, – other specific authorities.
Types of general business licenses	Permits issued by the local municipality.
Special business permits	– education, – healthcare, – travel agency, – recruitment, – financial, – media business permits.
Activities that require a professional business license	– accounting, – law, – engineering, – architecture.
Documents for obtaining a business permit	– ID/company documents, – proof of Slovak address, – qualifications for the sole trader or company representative, – proof of share capital in certain cases.
Business licensing restrictions (if any)	No.
Timeframe for business license issuance	The timeframe to obtain a business license depends on the authority issuing it.
Business permit validity	Each permit is subject to a specific validity period.
Support in filing for business/trade licenses in Slovakia (YES/NO)	Yes, feel free to contact our lawyers in Slovakia for support in filing for a trade license.

One single trader is able to undertake several trade activities, however, has to acquire a separate business permit or license in Slovakia for each of them.

Trade activities represent almost entirely all the business activities in the country, except for those defined as not belonging to a trade, as defined in Article 3 of the Trade Licensing Act. Our law firm in Slovakia can offer more details on what these activities are and can help you obtain business permits and licenses in Slovakia.

Among the sectors that require business permits and licenses in Slovakia, we mention the following:

food establishments;
hotels;
travel agencies;
healthcare facilities;
recruitment agencies;
media companies;
financial businesses;
educational institutions.

An individual can undertake trade activities in Slovakia in two different legal positions:

as a Slovak person; or
as a foreign individual.

Generally, each foreign individual can effectuate trade activities under the same conditions as a Slovak one.

Documents required to obtain business permits and licenses in Slovakia

There are several documents to gather when filing for a business permit in Slovakia. They are:

the criminal record;
the address of the place of business;
documents attesting to your qualifications in the domain covered by your activity.

With regard to these papers, there are a few important aspects to consider. For example, when it comes to the criminal record, the following must be taken into account:

it must have been issued in your home country or in the state in which you were a resident for at least 6 months in the past 5 years;
the document cannot be older than 3 months at the time of submission;
if issued in another country, it must be translated into Slovak and apostilled.

When it comes to the documents you can use as proof of official qualification, you can file diplomas, certifications, authorizations, and even apprenticeship attestations issued by recognized organizations.

Please note that you will also need a Slovak residence permit if you are a foreign citizen filing for a trade license. You can rely on our lawyers in Slovakia if you need assistance in submitting the paperwork with the Trade Licensing Office.

Below, we have an infographic on the same subject:

Requirements for travel agencies and tourist guides in Slovakia

A travel agency in Slovakia can be opened as a tour operator or a normal travel agency, upon obtaining a Slovak business license. Generally, a travel agency delivers only one service, while a tour operator can undertake different traveling services, like accommodation, guiding services, and/or transportation.

In order to undertake travel agency operations in Slovakia, the following education and qualifications are required:

second-level university education and one year of experience in the field; or
first-level university education and a two-year experience in the field; or
having finished general secondary school education; or
having finished professional secondary school education and 3 years of experience in the field.

To effectuate activities as a tourist guide, it is necessary to obtain a certificate attesting to the completion of an education program accredited by the Ministry of Education in Slovakia.

The Trade Licensing Act in Slovakia

Act No. 455/1991 is the main law providing for business licensing applications in Slovakia. One of its main provisions is that it covers unregulated and regulated activities that can be carried out in Slovakia.

On the list of unregulated operations are:

services related to agricultural and fishing activities;
production of certain foodstuff;
textile production;
motor vehicle fabrication;
transportation-related services.

It should be noted that even if unregulated, these activities still require Slovak business permits.

Here is also a video on obtaining business permits and licenses in Slovakia:

On the list of regulated activities for which Slovak business licenses are required are:

manufacturing operations for certain domains;
metalworking;
construction;
foreign language teachers;
driving instructors.

Please mind that both lists are extensive, so if you are not sure about your activity, you can ask for support from our Slovak law firm.

Another important provision of the Trade Licensing Law covers the time limits the Ministry of Interior through the Licensing Office can issue business permits or complete other procedures, as follows:

the Certificate of Trade Authorisations must be issued in a maximum 3 working days;
in case of incompliance, the Licensing Office will grant the applicant a period of 15 days to remedy the situation;
in case of suspension of an activity, a license holder can file for an appeal against the suspension within a maximum of 15 days;
appeal procedures are handled in a maximum period of 30 days.

If you need to get a business license in another country, such as the Cayman Islands, our specialists at BridgeWest Cayman Islands can help you.

If you require further details on how to get business permits and trade licenses in Slovakia, we invite you to get in touch with our solicitors in Slovakia, who can help you obtain the documentation you need.