Business support - Slovakia

Updated 04. 2010

Helping businesses

The following institutions provide legal and professional advice to businesses in connection with business activities:

Private organisations
Public-private organisations
Government organisations

Private organisations

The National Union of Employers aims to protect the interests of employers, the rights of businesses and the freedom of citizens. It also plays an active role in developing and introducing legal regulations on the main common interests of employers.

National Union of Employers (RÚZ)

The Slovak Trades Association (SŽZ) represents and protects the interests of sole traders and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). It aims to ensure that sole traders are equal partners in social dialogue and endeavours to develop favourable conditions for their development.

SŽZ is a full member of the Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic and part of the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME).

Slovak Trades Association (SŽZ)
UEAPME - European Association of Craft Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

The Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic (AZZZ) focuses on dynamic business development in Slovakia and the protection of employers' interests, especially in negotiations with central government and trade unions on economic and social policy at Slovakia's Economic and Social Council.

Slovak Federation of Employers' Associations and Groups

Public-private organisations

The following organisations actively support SMEs:

The National Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (NARMSP) was set up as a joint initiative of the European Union and the Slovak government. It promotes the development and growth of small and medium-sized businesses in Slovakia with the aim of boosting the competitiveness of the sector within the framework of the EU common market and on third country markets through focusing on four key priorities, which are:

stimulating growth in the sector;
enhancing its competitiveness;
international expansion - penetrating new markets;
providing SMEs with easier access to capital resources.

It is an interest group of legal entities whose members include:

Slovak Ministry of the Economy
Slovak Trades Association
National Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Companies (NARMSP)

In cooperation with the National Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises there are:

14 regional consultancy and information centres (RPIC),
5 business and innovation centres (BIC),
9 centres of first contact (CPK),
16 business and technology incubators (PI/TI)
Fund of Funds, s.r.o. (FF).

The RPIC are non-profit organisations in the form of independent regional groupings of legal entities. The RPIC centres provide comprehensive consultancy, information and training services.

RPIC Prešov

The main services provided by the BIC include:

implementation of quality systems (ISO 9000),
technological and patent advice,
"due diligence" - assessment of projects for financial risk,
"spin-off" consultancy - demerging inefficient operations from large companies,
searching for partners in the region and abroad,
drawing up business and marketing plans,
searching foreign sources in relation to setting up joint ventures,
processing applications for credit etc.
BIC Group, s.r.o.

The Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK) is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris and a full member of EUROCHAMBRES in Brussels. The SOPK is also active in the European Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC).

In the interest of long-term sustainable economic growth and an improved business environment, the SOPK engages in dialogue with the relevant government bodies.

Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Government organisations

Economic policy in supporting the creation and development of small and medium-sized businesses comes under the Ministry of the Economy.

Slovak Ministry of the Economy

The Offices of Labour, Social Affairs and the Family provide information and advice on how to benefit from a wide range of financial contributions, national social grants and social support services.

Office of Labour, Social Affairs and the Family

The administration of taxes is carried out by the Tax Directorate of the Slovak Republic and the tax offices.

Tax administration

A natural person or legal entity notifies a trade or submits an application for a concession certificate to a Trade Licensing Office,

Trade Licensing Offices
Trade Register

Applications to register a company and lodge papers in the Collection of Deeds are submitted to the Commercial Register.

Commercial Register

The Social Insurance Agency provides workers with benefits for medical care and payments in case of sickness, injury, birth of a child, unemployment, old age or invalidity, which helps to ensure a secure and stable life for employees.

Social Insurance Agency

The Health Insurance Agency provides general health insurance.

General Health Insurance Company (Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovna, a.s.) - electronic services

Several other organisations, portals and services actively support business development. Specialist advisory services cover a broad range of fields including business development, tax and financial assistance.

Central public administration portal
Doing business - Podnikajte.sk
Slovak statutes on the internet
List of firms on the internet
Business consultants
Central Register of Notaries
Financial and other information
Central information portal for research, development and innovation

Other organisations

You may find other organisations involved in business support on:

Business and commercial clubs, federations and associations

Access to finance is crucial for setting up and running a business.

Access to finance — Slovakia

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Business support - Slovakia

Helping businesses

Private organisations

Public-private organisations

Government organisations

Other organisations

Still need help?

Enterprise Europe Network - Contact points

Further help