Slovakia: technology regulation at a glance

Framework: EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, MiCA), fully applicable from 30 December 2024; supervised in Slovakia by Národná banka Slovenska (NBS). Complemented by Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 (Travel Rule / TFR), Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (DORA, applicable from 17 January 2025), Slovak AML legislation, the Income Tax Act, and the Act on Automatic Exchange of Information on Financial Accounts (amended in 2025 to implement DAC8, effective 1 January 2026).

Crypto-assets are legal in Slovakia and regulated under the directly applicable EU MiCA framework, with the Národná banka Slovenska (NBS) acting as the sole competent authority for authorising and supervising crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and crypto-asset issuers. The MiCA transitional ('grandfathering') window ended on 30 December 2025, so since 1 January 2026 only firms holding an NBS authorisation or passporting in from another EU competent authority may serve Slovak clients; the previous national VASP trade-licence regime has been superseded. Slovakia has also enacted national rules on crypto taxation (preferential 7% rate on long-held coins) and transposed DAC8/CARF reporting obligations on CASPs that take effect from 2026.

Framework: EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), directly applicable; national implementation via Act No. 318/2025 Z.z. (amending conformity assessment law, in force 1 Jan 2026); Draft Act LP/2025/401 on Organisation of Public Administration in the Field of AI (pending); MIRRI SR as national coordinator and Single Contact Point

Slovakia is governed by the directly applicable EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), which forms the comprehensive legal baseline. National adaptation measures include Act No. 318/2025 Z.z., which amended the Conformity Assessment of Products Act to reference EU AI Act obligations effective 1 January 2026, and a Draft Act (LP/2025/401) designating competent authorities and establishing a regulatory sandbox, expected to be fully operational in early 2026. Oversight is coordinated by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI SR), supported by a Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence.

Framework: EU GDPR (Regulation 2016/679) directly applicable; national implementation via Act No. 18/2018 Coll. on the Protection of Personal Data; supervised by the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Slovak Republic (Úrad na ochranu osobných údajov SR, UOOU)

Slovakia's data-protection regime is anchored in the directly applicable EU GDPR, supplemented by Act No. 18/2018 Coll. on the Protection of Personal Data, which entered into force on 25 May 2018 and replaced the prior Act No. 122/2013 Coll. The UOOU, an independent state body based in Bratislava, acts as the national supervisory authority and is a full member of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). The regime grants individuals the full GDPR catalogue of rights and imposes controller/processor obligations consistent with the Regulation, with several Slovak-specific derogations on birth numbers, employee monitoring, and special-category data.

Framework: Act No. 492/2009 Coll. on Payment Services (transposing PSD2 and the E-Money Directive); supervised and licensed by Národná banka Slovenska (NBS). EU baselines: PSD2, EU Instant Payments Regulation (EU) 2024/886, and CCD2 (Directive (EU) 2023/2225).

Slovakia has a clear, in-force licensing regime for payment institutions (PIs), electronic money institutions (EMIs) and account information service providers (AISPs), administered by the National Bank of Slovakia under Act No. 492/2009 Coll. (the Payment Services Act), which transposed PSD2 and EMD. Open banking, strong customer authentication, and SEPA instant payments are operational; BNPL falls under the EU's Second Consumer Credit Directive (CCD2), which Slovakia must apply by 20 November 2026. PSD3/PSR negotiations at EU level are expected to update the framework in 2027–2028.

Framework: Act No. 404/2011 Coll. on the Residence of Foreigners (as amended, major changes in force from 1 July 2025), administered by the Foreign Police (Cudzinecká polícia) under the Ministry of Interior, with Slovak diplomatic missions processing initial applications under annual quotas set by government regulation.

Slovakia has no dedicated digital-nomad or remote-work visa. Third-country nationals who wish to work remotely from Slovakia as self-employed individuals must obtain a Temporary Residence Permit for Business Purposes (živnosť route), which since 1 July 2025 is subject to a strict annual quota of 700 permits globally, mandatory consular application, and a compulsory business plan reviewed by the Ministry of Economy. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are exempt and may reside and work freely.

Framework: EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) directly applicable; nationally implemented via Act No. 264/2022 on Media Services as amended by Act No. 203/2024 Coll.; Digital Services Coordinator: Council for Media Services (Rada pre mediálne služby, RpMS)

Slovakia applies the EU Digital Services Act as its primary online platform and content-moderation framework, directly applicable since February 2024. Act No. 203/2024 (in force 28 June 2025) amended the Media Services Act to formally designate the Council for Media Services (RpMS) as the national Digital Services Coordinator with full investigative and sanctioning powers over intermediary services, online platforms, and search engines. The original Media Services Act 264/2022 already implemented EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive obligations for video-sharing platforms, including age verification and harm-prevention measures.

Framework: Act No. 69/2018 Coll. on Cybersecurity (as amended by Act No. 366/2024 Coll.), supervised by the National Security Authority (NBÚ, Národný bezpečnostný úrad) and its national CSIRT SK-CERT

Slovakia fully transposed the EU NIS2 Directive (2022/2555) via Act No. 366/2024 Coll., which amends the foundational Cybersecurity Act No. 69/2018 Coll. and entered into force on 1 January 2025. The law establishes a dual-tier regime (essential and important entities) covering 16 sectors, with mandatory registration, risk-management measures, multi-stage incident reporting, and management accountability. The NBÚ acts as the sole competent authority, single point of contact, and supervisory body, with SK-CERT as the national incident-response team.

Framework: Slovak Commercial Code (Act No. 513/1991 Coll.); Act on the Commercial Register No. 530/2003 Coll. (new Act effective 1 March 2026); Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll.; administered by Ministry of Justice via Obchodný register (orsr.sk)

Slovakia permits 100% foreign ownership of a limited liability company (s.r.o.) by nationals of any country, with no sectoral equity caps for standard activities. The incorporation process is fully digitalised via the Ministry of Justice's e-portal, costs €150 for electronic filing, and the Commercial Register court must decide within 2 working days of submission. A non-EU/non-OECD national appointed as director must hold a Slovak residence permit, but foreign shareholders face no residence requirement.