Establish a Branch in Slovakia

Foreign companies interested in expanding a business in Slovakia can establish branch offices. The representatives of such enterprises can rely on our Slovak company formation specialists for full incorporation services if they want to set up a branch office here.

What are the main features of Slovak branches?

Here they are:

• the branch is not a legal entity itself, which will make the parent company liable for its financial and non-financial obligations;
• the foreign company will be in charge of completing the entire registration and licensing procedure, after which it must appoint a representative who will keep in contact with the Slovak authorities;
• the branch office must bear the same nameas the parent company;
• the branch office cannot complete activities other than those of the main business;
• the parent company must apply for the necessary licenses with the Slovak authorities.

What are the requirements to open a branch office in Slovakia in 2026?

The following aspects must be considered when setting up a branch office in this country:

1. the branch office can be registered by a single foreign entity, therefore, it is not permitted for two companies to join their efforts in a branch office;
2. it is a mandatory requirement for the branch office to have a registered address in Slovakia;
3. the branch must have at least one director who is a natural person and who is a resident of an EU country;
4. in case the director is from a non-EU country, he or she must obtain a Slovak residence permit;
5. there are no share capital requirements imposed on the foreign company for the creation of a branch office;
6. the parent company will bear all the liability for the Slovak branch office’s debts and obligations;
7. all companies in Slovakia, including branch offices are required to have e-mail addresses.

We also invite you to see the scheme below:

What are the steps for registering a branch office in Slovakia?

Here are the steps to open a branch office in Slovakia:

1. trading name reservation;
2. foreign-issued paperwork translation and notarization;
3. securing a Slovak registered address and local director appointment;
4. documents submission with the Slovak Trade Register;
5. Registration Certificate issuance;
6. tax registration with the Tax Department in Slovakia;
7. licensing.

What are the documents the parent company must supply for branch registration in Slovakia?

The foreign company must provide the following documents:

• its Articles of Association;
• a extract from the Trade Register in its home country indicating its registration;
• the Board of Directors’ decision to establish the branch in Slovakia.

As mentioned above, these papers must first be translated into Slovak and notarized before being filed with the Companies Register.

Can I appoint a foreign director for a Slovak branch?

Yes, it is possible to appoint foreign directors; however, in the case of non-EU citizens, the immigration formalities applicable to citizens in their countries of origin must be respected. In most cases, entry visas and work and residence permits are required.

Is a branch office required to register for VAT in Slovakia?

No, this is not a mandatory procedure; however, the parent company may decide to do so. In this case, it must appoint a local agent to handle VAT requirements. In practice, branches choose to register for VAT, this way enabling their clients/customers to apply for VAT refunds.

Can a Slovak branch office hire employees?

Yes, depending on the size and operations to complete, a Slovak branch office can hire the desired number of employees. These can be selected from the local workforce, who are well-trained, educated, and also made up of many people who speak English. However, the parent company can also transfer employees from its headquarters.

How long does it take to incorporate a branch office in Slovakia?

The entire registration formalities take between 2 to 3 weeks to be completed.

What are the formalities to comply with after registering a branch in Slovakia?

After registration, the branch office must secure an email address. Then, it must also register for Social Insurance.

We also invite you to watch a video on this type of entity:

Why open a branch office in Slovakia in 2026?

Here are some reasons to set up such an entity in Slovakia:

• it offers total control to the parent company over the branch office registered in Slovakia;
• the registration costs of a branch office are significantly lower compared to those of a subsidiary;
• the branch office can take advantage of Slovakia’s double taxation agreements;
• the licensing requirements are less stringent when setting up a Slovak branch office;
• the annual maintenance costs are lower in the case of a branch office than in the case of a subsidiary.

Do you offer branch office registration services in Slovakia?

Yes, clients can rely on us for full branch office registration solutions in Slovakia, which include document drafting and filing, tax registration, and licensing support. On demand, we can also assist with the establishment of a corporate bank account. Also, we can assist with the registration of the trading name as a trademark for intellectual property protection purposes.

If you need accounting support, our team of accountants in Slovakia are at your disposal with tailored services for this business form.

Do you have other affiliations?

If you want to set up a branch office in Belgium, for example, we recommend our partners who are experts in company formation matters in Belgium.

We can also put you in contact with our partners from Romania, in case you want to set up a new company or open a branch in that country.

Our team of company formation experts in Slovakia can help you establish a branch in this country or any other business form you are interested in. For complete guidance in company formation matters, please contact our specialists in Slovakia.

Partner: Firmengründung in Slowakei , Регистрация фирм Словакия