Who can do business in Slovakia? Is it always necessary to obtain a residence permit to start a business? And does any type of residence permit give this right?
In Slovakia you can do business as:
✅ a natural person (most often the status of živnostník – samostatne zárobkovo činná osoba (SZČO),
✅ a legal person (usually with a company – SRO).
However, you need to obtain the type of residence permit that will give you the right to do business. This means that not every type of residence permit in Slovakia gives access to entrepreneurship.
You can run your own business if you have:
– Business residence permit
– Permanent residence permit or Slovak citizenship.
👉 EU/EEA citizens can do business in Slovakia like Slovak citizens if they formalize permanent residence in Slovakia.
📌 International subsidiary protection and asylum (Doplnková ochrana a azyl)
It is possible to run a business, but when the status is approved. It is not allowed to do business while the documents are being reviewed. After legal confirmation of the status and obtaining a business license, it is not necessary to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of business.
📌 Temporary asylum (dočasné útočisko)
This status does not give the right to engage in entrepreneurial activity. In this case, it makes sense to consider the option of applying for a residence permit. If you are planning to run your own business in Slovakia and need help with starting, relocating your business, obtaining a residence permit, we will be glad to help you!
