Online safety & content laws in Slovakia (2026)
Online safety rules in Slovakia: comprehensive law.
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.
Legal 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)
The Digital Services Act in Slovakia
In Slovakia, online platforms and intermediaries are governed by the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), a directly-applicable regulation covering illegal content, transparency and user protection.
- Framework
- the EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065)
- Approach
- notice-and-action on illegal content, transparency reporting, clear terms, and protection of minors
- Applies to
- online intermediaries, hosting services and platforms offering services to users in Slovakia, wherever established
- Very large platforms
- platforms and search engines with 45M+ EU users face extra systemic-risk audits, overseen by the European Commission
- Maximum fine
- up to 6% of global annual turnover
- Oversight
- the national Digital Services Coordinator, plus the European Commission for very large platforms
The DSA is an EU regulation applied directly in Slovakia; the national Digital Services Coordinator handles day-to-day supervision.
Key points: internet & online safety in Slovakia
EU DSA Direct Applicability
The EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) became fully applicable across Slovakia and all EU member states on 17 February 2024, imposing due-diligence, transparency, and systemic-risk obligations on online intermediaries and very large online platforms without need for further national transposition.
National DSC Designation, RpMS
The National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted Act No. 203/2024 Coll. on 24 July 2024 (in force 28 June 2025), amending the Media Services Act to designate the Council for Media Services (RpMS) as Slovakia's Digital Services Coordinator and expand its regulatory remit beyond broadcasting to cover all intermediary services, online platforms, and internet search engines.
EC Infringement Proceedings, Resolved
The European Commission issued a formal notice to Slovakia for failure to designate and fully empower a Digital Services Coordinator by the required deadline. Following adoption of Act No. 203/2024 and its entry into force on 28 June 2025, the Commission's concerns were addressed and the infringement proceedings closed.
Video-Sharing Platform & Content Moderation Obligations
Act No. 264/2022 on Media Services (implementing the AVMSD) already requires video-sharing platforms to take appropriate measures against content inciting violence, terrorism, or hatred, and content harmful to minors, including user reporting tools, complaint mechanisms, parental controls, and age verification systems.
Enforcement Powers & Penalties
RpMS may request information, conduct on-site inspections, and impose administrative sanctions; fines for serious breaches can reach 6% of a provider's global annual turnover under the amended Media Services Act, aligned with DSA maximum penalty levels.
Age Verification & Minors Protection
Age verification and minors protection obligations derive from two overlapping layers: the AVMSD-implementing Media Services Act 264/2022 (binding video-sharing platforms to restrict access to harmful content for minors) and DSA Articles 28-30 (prohibiting profiling-based targeting of minors by large platforms and requiring risk-mitigation measures). Slovakia participates in the EU-level framework but has not enacted additional standalone national age-verification legislation beyond these instruments.
The Digital Services Act in Slovakia: FAQ
Does the Digital Services Act apply in Slovakia?
Yes. As an EU member, Slovakia is covered by the EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), which applies directly.
What does the DSA require of platforms in Slovakia?
Notice-and-action mechanisms for illegal content, transparency reporting, clear terms of service, and measures to protect minors.
Who enforces the DSA in Slovakia?
The national Digital Services Coordinator, with the European Commission supervising very large online platforms and search engines.
What are the penalties under the DSA in Slovakia?
Up to 6% of a provider's global annual turnover for serious breaches.
Sources
- rpms.sk/en/what-dsa
- rpms.sk/en/digital-platforms-regulation
- digitalpolicyalert.org/event/28964-amendments-to-media-services-act-designating-slovak-compe
- digitalpolicyalert.org/event/27021-act-2642022-z-z-on-media-services-and-on-amendments-to-ce
- merlin.obs.coe.int/article/10353
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-calls-cyprus-czechia-estonia-poland-portugal-and-s
- digitalpolicyalert.org/event/28950-law-no-2642022-on-media-services-including-content-modera
- iclg.com/practice-areas/telecoms-media-and-internet-laws-and-regulations/slova
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/dsa-dscs
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/avmsd-protection-minors
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Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026