Setting up a trade licence

Guide to setting up a trade licence

1. Basic conditions for setting up a trade licence

   Conditions for setting up a trade licence:

   • you must be 18 years old, have legal capacity, and be of good character (no relevant criminal record),
   • the conditions for trade business are governed by Act No. 455/1991 Coll. on Trade BusinessOpens in a new window (the Trade Licensing Act).

   What professional competence you need
   This depends on the type of trade:

   Unregulated trade (voľná živnosť)

   • no professional competence is required (list of the most commonly used unregulated tradesOpens in a new window).

   Craft trade (remeselná živnosť)

   • you need an apprenticeship certificate or completed studies (in the relevant apprenticeship or study field) – list in Annex No. 1 to the Trade Licensing ActOpens in a new window,
   • an alternative way of proving competence is available under §§ 22 and 66i, 66j, 66k of the Trade Licensing Act.

   Regulated trade (viazaná živnosť)

   • you need a certificate of professional competence – list in Annex No. 2 to the Trade Licensing ActOpens in a new window.

   A list of activities using Single Contact Point (JKM) services can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic.Opens in a new window

2. 1

   Choose the method of notifying the trade

   You can notify the trade in three ways:

   Electronically
   Submit the notification via the slovensko.skOpens in a new window portal. Use the Trade notification formOpens in a new window – natural person.

   
   Important notice: To use the electronic service you need eID (an ID card with a chipOpens in a new window). When submitting, you must sign the document with a qualified electronic signature (KEP) - without it, the electronic submission cannot be sent.

   In person

   • at the locally competent district (trade licensing) office according to the address of your permanent residence,
   • check the office days and hours of the trade licensing offices / JKMOpens in a new window.

   By post
   The form can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the SR – Trade Business. Trade notification form – natural personOpens in a new window.

   Prepare the documents
   For the notification you will need:

   • proof of professional competence (for craft and regulated trades),
   • the responsible representative’s consent to appointment and their proof of professional competence (if you do not meet the conditions yourself),
   • proof of use of the property (if the business address differs from your permanent residence),
   • a power of attorney (if another person is handling the submission),
   • proof of payment of the administrative fee.
3. 2

   Find out the fees

   Electronic submission (with a qualified electronic signature, KEP)

   • unregulated trade – free of charge,
   • craft or regulated trade – €11. 

   Good to know: Electronic filing is faster and cheaper than paper filing.

   Paper submission

   • unregulated trade – €7,
   • craft/regulated trade – €22. (Administrative fees for trade business — pdfOpens in a new window)
4. Choose the fee payment method

   Electronic submission
   After sending the submission, a payment order will arrive in your electronic mailbox. You can pay by:

   • payment card,
   • bank transfer – payment is usually credited within 2 days of payment,
   • QR code (PAY by square).

   Paper submission
   You can pay the fee:

   • through a payment terminal (kiosk) at the district office,
   • via the eKolok mobile app - found under the name eKolok on Google Play / App Store,
   • via the Slovak Post payment systemOpens in a new window.
5. 3

   Obtain the certificate of trade authorization

   The trade licensing office issues the certificate within 3 working days of receiving the complete trade notification.
   For online submissions, you will receive the electronic certificate in your electronic mailbox.

   
   Warning: You need to have your electronic mailbox activated.

6. What the trade licensing office arranges for you

   The trade licensing office automatically ensures:

   • registration at the tax office (income tax),
   • registration with a health insurance company,
   • notification to the Social Insurance Agency (for registration in the compulsory social insurance system).
7. 4

   Fulfil further obligations

   After setting up the trade you must:

   • notify your health insurance company of the amount of advance payments within 8 days,
   • arrange registration for other taxes (e.g. VAT) at the relevant tax office, if applicable to you.