VAT in Slovakia

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Slovakia VAT

Slovakia has been part of the European Union VAT regime since 2004, and is part of the EU single market economy. VAT, or DPH (Dan z Pridané Hodnoty), was first introduced in March 1993.  VAT Directives, issued by the EU, lay out the principles of the VAT regime to be implemented by each member country. These Directives take precedent over the Slovak legislation where there may be conflict.

Slovak VAT law

Slovakian VAT is overseen by the local tax offices and centrally by the Slovak Tax Directive.

Slovak republic VAT registration

Foreign companies from inside or outside the EU may register for VAT in Slovakia without the requirement to incorporate a Slovak company or form a permanent establishment; this is known as non-resident VAT trading. There is no VAT threshold in the Slovak Republic for non-resident traders; a VAT number must be in place before the commencement of taxable supplies.  There is some limited flexibility for reclaiming Slovak VAT incurred prior to the registration, but potential fines may be high.

There are strict rules on the situations where a registration is permitted. Common scenarios which require a Slovak VAT registration include:

• importing goods into the Slovak Republic
• organising live events, conferences, etc, in the Slovak Republic
• selling goods from the Slovak Republic to other EU countries
• distance selling to private individuals living within the Slovak Republic, e.g. internet sales.

Registering for Slovak VAT generally takes four weeks, although this can vary.

Slovak VAT compliance

There are detailed rules controlling the recording and processing of Slovak transactions. These include guidelines on:

• invoice requirements, including electronic invoices
• foreign currency reporting, rates and translation
• correcting errors from previous returns
• credit notes and corrections
• what accounting records must be maintained.

The Slovak Republic has strict rules on the layout and format of VAT records to be kept by companies or their tax agents.

Slovak VAT rates

The standard VAT rate in the Slovak Republic is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% on certain goods and services.  A number of services are exempt from Slovakian VAT, such as financial and postal services.

There are many variations to the rates above, including exempt taxable supplies.

Slovak VAT returns

Businesses with a Slovak VAT number must submit periodic payments. VAT filings and payments are submitted either monthly or quarterly.  Any Slovak tax credits should be paid within 30 days, but it typically takes much longer or can be rolled over into the next return.

Slovak VAT control statement

Companis registered for VAT in Slovakia must also  submit a “VAT control statement”, which is a detailed listing of transactions included in the VAT return in the prescribed form. Information such as customer/supplier VAT numbers, date of taxable supply, invoice number, VAT base amount, VAT amount, VAT rate, and so on should be filled in.

Slovak Intrastat

In addition to VAT returns in the Slovak Republic, companies may be required to submit additional statistical information.  Slovak Intrastat, which lists sales (dispatches) and purchases (acquisitions) within the EU region, must be filed monthly once the annual thresholds are exceeded. The thresholds are EUR 200,000 for arrivals and EUR 400,000 for dispatches.

Slovak VAT refunds

If a foreign company is providing taxable supplies in the Slovak Republic but is unable to obtain a VAT number, or is incurring Slovak VAT on local goods or services, then VAT may be recovered through a VAT reclaim.

VAT refund applications are made through the tax authorities of the applicant’s home country.

View more information on other countries, or find out more about VAT.