Explore Countries for Living & Doing Business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Compare with other jurisdictions or get in touch for expert guidance.
EU member with automotive manufacturing hub
Region
EASTERN EUROPE
Corporate Tax
21%
Setup Time
3 weeks
Currency
EUR
Slovakia, in Central Europe's heart, combines competitive manufacturing with Eurozone membership. The country's company registration framework supports cost-effective business setup for European operations.
With a population of 5.4 million, Slovakia offers affordable European living. Slovak is official, with English growing. Bratislava provides urban amenities near Vienna.
Healthcare is available through mandatory insurance. Safety is good. The cost of living is low for the Eurozone.
The mountain landscapes, history, and proximity to Vienna create regional appeal.
Corporate tax rate stands at 21% (15% for smaller companies). Personal income tax reaches 25%. VAT applies at 20% standard rate.
Slovakia uses the Euro. The automotive sector is significant, with Slovakia having among the world's highest per-capita car production. EU membership provides full market access.
Company registration through the Commercial Register is established. The s.r.o. (limited liability company) is the standard vehicle. Foreign ownership faces no EU restrictions.
Company formation takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Minimum capital is EUR 5,000. Annual compliance includes financial statement filing.
Slovakia regulates virtual asset service providers under AML frameworks through the National Bank of Slovakia. The approach implements EU directives.
The Ministry of Finance regulates gambling. Online gambling licensing exists with established framework. Slovakia has licensed various operators.
The small domestic market requires export focus. The automotive sector concentration creates dependence. Slovak language creates communication considerations.
Banking access is available through Slovak and EU banks. Professional services are developing.
Slovakia suits manufacturing, automotive supply chains, and businesses seeking Eurozone positioning at competitive costs for their business setup.
Local: s.r.o.
Local: a.s.
Local: Branch
| Corporate Tax Rate | 21% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 25% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 23% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 19% |
| Withholding Tax | 0% or 10% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | LOW |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | No |
| Required Share Capital | $125,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF Travel Rule and EU Transfer of Funds Regulation (TFR) |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed Programme of Operations required including business activities, financial projections, governance and risk management framework |
| Personnel Required | CEO/Director (EU resident recommended), AML Officer (mandatory, can be EU-based), qualified compliance personnel |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | ESMA public register of CASPs |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | No |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | No |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) |
| Licensing Fee | $3,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee approximately €3,000; ongoing supervisory fees apply. Initial company incorporation €150 for LLC. |
| Permitted Business Models | Exchange, Custody, Trading Platform, Advisory, Portfolio Management, Transfer Services |
| Permitted Activities | Exchange between crypto and fiat, Exchange between crypto assets, Custody and administration, Trading platform operation, Reception and transmission of orders, Execution of orders, Placement, Advice, Portfolio management, Transfer services |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $1,700,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A for gambling |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed game plan and business operations documentation required |
| Personnel Required | Local representative, responsible persons for managing games, key management with clean criminal records |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Gambling Regulatory Authority public register |
| Renewal Period | Two to ten years depending on license type |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Gambling Regulatory Authority (Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier - URHH) |
| Licensing Fee | $50,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | License fees vary significantly by type; online casino/betting licenses are among highest in EU. Financial guarantee deposit required. |
| Permitted Business Models | B2C online casino, B2C sports betting, Land-based casino, Gaming halls, Lotteries (state monopoly for numerical) |
| Permitted Activities | Online casino games, Online sports betting, Land-based casino games, Slot machines, Video lottery terminals, Card games |
| Restricted Activities | State lottery (numerical lotteries, special bingo, VAT receipt lotteries) reserved for state monopoly |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $350,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant, PSD2 requirements |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive 3-year business plan with financial projections, governance structure, risk management framework |
| Personnel Required | CEO, CFO, Compliance Officer, AML Officer, qualified management team with fit and proper assessment |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | National Bank of Slovakia public register and EBA register |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | National Bank of Slovakia (NBS - Národná banka Slovenska) |
| Licensing Fee | $5,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee approximately €5,000; annual supervisory fees based on transaction volume. PI license €125,000 capital; EMI license €350,000 capital. |
| Permitted Business Models | Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Payment Institution (PI), Small Payment Institution |
| Permitted Activities | E-money issuance, Payment services, Money remittance, Payment initiation services, Account information services, Currency exchange |
| Restricted Activities | Banking activities (deposits, lending from deposits) without banking license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |