🟢 The Slovak Ministry of Justice has prepared a new Business Register Act, which will fully replace the existing Act No. 530/2003 Coll. on the Business Register. The draft law is currently in the stage of inter-ministerial comment procedure. The proposed date of entry into force is 1 March 2026.

📍 The reform includes

  • Shift of registration powers to notaries

From 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027, a dual regime will apply – both courts and notaries will perform registrations. From 1 July 2027, first registrations and amendments will be exclusively within the competence of notaries, while deletions will remain with the courts.

  • Reservation of a business name

Companies will have the opportunity to reserve a company name even before its establishment. For this purpose, a Register of Reserved Business Names will be established and maintained by the District Court in Žilina.

  • Founding documents – form and authenticity

Founding documents (articles of association, statutes, deeds of foundation, etc.) will have to be drawn up either as a notarial deed or as a contract authorised by an attorney. The same rule will apply to amendments.

  • Legal validity of online data (“once-only principle”)

Data published online in the Business Register will have legal validity, eliminating the need to prove them again before authorities or third parties. The reform also foresees stronger interconnection with other reference registers to ensure reliability and timeliness of data.

  • Restrictions on representation

Representation in registration proceedings will be limited to attorneys, notaries, or employees of the company (subject to defined conditions), and a properly notarised power of attorney will be required.

  • Fixed deadlines and digitalisation

The draft maintains fixed deadlines (e.g. 2 working days to process a registration). Enhanced electronic processes and register interconnections aim to reduce administrative burden and avoid duplicate verifications.

📚 Legal summary

  • Name and status: Draft Business Register Act (to replace Act No. 530/2003 Coll.). Currently in inter-ministerial comment procedure.
  • Entry into force: 1 March 2026.
  • Transition period: 1 March 2026 – 30 June 2027 (dual regime of courts and notaries). From 1 July 2027, first registrations and amendments will be performed only by notaries; deletions will remain with the courts.
  • Key provisions of the draft (with references to the current Act No. 530/2003 Coll.):
    • § 5–7 – legal validity of data in the register (“once-only principle”) (currently § 27 (3-8) of the Commercial Code).
    • § 47 – limited representation, requirement of notarised power of attorney (currently § 7b (2) of Act No. 530/2003 Coll.).
    • § 57 (1) of Commercial Code – form of founding documents (notarial deed / authorised attorney contract) (currently not regulated).
    • § 58 – procedural deadlines (e.g. 2 working days for registration) (currently § 8 (1) ) of Act No. 530/2003 Coll.).
    • § 107-108 – reservation of a business name (currently not regulated).
    • § 122 – competence of notaries and courts during and after the transition period (current powers of registry courts and notaries in relation to registration are defined in § 4-7b of  Act No. 530/2003 Coll.).

🔗 What’s next?

 

Paul Q will continue to monitor this topic closely and provide updates on the legislative process as it develops.