Opening a company in Slovakia: locals, foreigners, freelancers and digital nomads

At a glance: s.r.o. with 5,000 euros capital (paid to a custodian, no bank deposit needed), electronic registration in two working days for 220 euros, corporate tax 10 percent up to 100,000 euros of revenue (21 above, 24 above 5 million), VAT from 50,000 euros, no nomad visa. Legal forms. Sole trader (SZCO / zivnostnik) with a trade licence. S.r.o.: minimum capital 5,000 euros, at least 750 per shareholder, half of the total (all for a single founder) declared paid to a custodian before filing. J.s.a. (simple joint-stock company): 1 euro. A.s.: 25,000 euros. Registration. Trade licence at the district office or online via slovensko.sk: free trades 0 euros online (7 in person), craft and regulated trades 11 to 22, issued within three working days. Companies: electronic filing with a qualified e-signature, court fee 220 euros since 17 August 2026, registration two working days after a complete filing; since the same date the founding document must be a notarial deed or lawyer-authorised contract unless you use the simplified electronic founding (up to five members, free trades only, cash contributions), and a notary can act as registrar with the court fee waived. Business-name reservation 50 euros. Typical total 250 to 500 euros yourself, 500 to 1,500 with a provider plus a registered office at 300 to 500 euros a year. Taxes 2026. Corporate tax 10 percent for revenue up to 100,000 euros, 21 up to 5 million, 24 above; minimum tax from 340 euros, waived in the first year. Dividends 7 percent for individuals, zero to EU corporate shareholders. VAT 23 percent (19 and 5 reduced); registration from 50,000 euros turnover in a calendar year (immediately above 62,500). Personal tax 19 / 25 / 30 / 35 percent in 2026; business income of sole traders up to 100,000 euros 15 percent. A 0.4 percent financial transaction tax applies to company account debits. Freelancers and the self-employed. Register the trade; the single point registers you for tax (tax ID within 30 days) and health insurance. Flat expenses 60 percent of income up to 20,000 euros a year plus paid contributions, 15 percent tax below 100,000 euros of income. Contributions 2026: health 16 percent from the first month, minimum 121.92 euros; social insurance starts in the sixth month after the start, minimum 303.11 euros; minimum total 425.03 euros a month; a reduced "micro-contribution" of 131.34 euros a month from July 2026 for income below 9,144 euros a year. Foreigners. EU, EEA and OECD citizens may be directors and sole traders freely; other nationals may own a company but need Slovak residence to act as director or sole trader. Temporary residence for business: funds for the business of 20 times the subsistence minimum (5,904 euros) for sole traders or 100 times (29,522) for company representatives, plus 12 times for living (3,543), six months of accommodation, clean record, insurance, medical report; fee 330 euros at the Foreign Police, decision within 90 days, up to three years, renewal tied to declared profit. 100 percent foreign ownership allowed; a real registered office with owner's consent. Branch of a foreign company. Organizacna zlozka registered in the commercial register: apostilled parent extract and translations, decision, trade licence for the branch, office consent and a branch head who is an EU/OECD citizen or holds Slovak residence; no capital; 15 to 20 business days. Taxed as a permanent establishment with Slovak double-entry books; the parent is fully liable. An s.r.o. subsidiary is preferred. Digital nomads. No digital nomad visa. Non-EU remote workers use temporary residence for business as a sole trader or company director, or the national visa for highly qualified workers. EU citizens only register residence after three months. Changed recently. 2025 consolidation: 10 / 24 percent corporate tiers, VAT 23 percent, transaction tax, 7 percent dividends; 2026 consolidation: new income-tax brackets, health rate 16 percent, minimum contributions 425.03 euros, contribution holiday cut to six months, micro-contribution from July 2026; new Commercial Register Act from 17 August 2026 with the 220 euro fee, notarial founding documents and notary-registrars. Figures checked October 2026 from slovensko.sk, the Social Insurance Agency, the IOM migration centre and Slovak advisers; amounts change every January. Confirm with a licensed adviser in Slovakia before you file.