Companies by legal form
Slovak commercial companies and sole traders by legal form. The most common form is the limited liability company (s.r.o.) and sole trader (SZČO); for larger companies the typical form is joint-stock company (a.s.).
S RLimited liability companys. r. o.Most common legal form in Slovakia. Minimum share capital EUR 5,000, partners are liable up to their contribution. Suitable for SMEs and startups.§ 105 et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeA SJoint-stock companya. s.A capital company whose share capital is divided into shares. Minimum share capital EUR 25,000, shareholders are liable in a limited way. Suitable for larger companies, banks, insurers.§ 154 et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeJ SSimplified joint-stock companyj. s. a.Hybrid between s.r.o. and a.s., introduced in 2017 for Slovak startups. Share capital from EUR 1, shares need not be listed. Flexible shareholder agreements.§ 220h et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeV OGeneral partnershipv. o. s.A personal partnership of two or more persons who are liable for obligations without limit, with all their assets. No minimum capital. Rarely used form.§ 76 et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeK SLimited partnershipk. s.Hybrid with general partners (unlimited liability) and limited partners (liable up to their contribution). Suitable for family businesses or companies with several investor types.§ 93 et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeCOOCooperativecooperativeAn open-membership association established for business or to secure economic, social or other needs. Members have limited liability.§ 221 et seq. of the Slovak Commercial CodeSOLSole trader (SZČO)sole traderSelf-employed individual doing business under a trade licence. Simplest form of doing business in Slovakia, recorded in the Trade Register.Act 455/1991 on trade business
How to choose a legal form?
The choice of legal form depends on the size of the business, number of founders, planned growth and risk tolerance. For small individual business sole traderis enough; for a business with multiple partners and separated liability s. r. o.is suitable; for capital-heavy companies and IPOs the choice is a. s..
ORSF is only a register and does not provide legal advice. When choosing a form consult a notary or law firm.