Slovak law permits 24-hour and Sunday shopping but requires stores to be closed on public holidays. Many smaller retail shops confine their hours to between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm weekdays, 9:00 am to noon on Saturdays, and are closed on Sundays. Grocery stores in larger towns are open 7 days a week. Stores located in shopping malls are open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Slovakia’s disposable income is lower than the EU average, making price a key competitive factor. Slovaks prefer to buy domestic products, especially groceries, if there is a price advantage. Product quality is gradually becoming more important to Slovak consumers, as more foreign brand names and new products appear in Slovakia.
Slovak retailers, especially those in cities, understand the benefits of promotion techniques used by U.S. and international retailers. Consumer campaigns with special offers and discounts are common in chain stores, and the law does not regulate the use of promotion techniques, such as coupons offered in apps and small gifts.
The Ministry of Finance does, however, regulate consumer lotteries (sweepstakes) conducted by Slovak and foreign firms. The following requirements apply to lotteries held by companies:
•    The company must register with the Slovak Commercial Register.
•    Consumer participants cannot be charged taxes.
Products made in Slovakia or imported into Slovakia must be labeled with the CE mark. All electrical equipment should also have an “Energy Efficiency” label. The 1995 State Language Law requires companies to mark the contents of domestically produced or imported goods, product manuals, product guarantees, and other consumer-related information in the Slovak language.

Trade Promotion and Advertising
Major Slovak convention centers are located in Bratislava, Nitra, and Trencin.
Many Slovak and foreign companies provide advertising to the Slovak market, which may vary considerably in quality. Internet, newspapers, radio, television, and social media are the most common means of advertising. Private radio stations offer advertising in all metropolitan areas. Billboards advertise in cities and along main highways.
Major Slovak-language newspapers and business journals include Pravda, SME, Hospodarske Noviny, Trend, Index, Novy Cas, Plus Jeden Den, and Dennik N. The only English-language newspaper in Slovakia is The Slovak Spectator.
There is one state-owned television station broadcasting on three channels and three privately owned television stations broadcasting on 14 channels. Major radio and TV broadcasting stations include Slovensky rozhlas a televizia (STVR), Markiza – Slovakia s.r.o., MAC TV s.r.o., (JOJ), and TA3.
Posters and billboards are commonly used to advertise in Slovakia and are found in post offices, public transportation, outdoor kiosks, and along public walking and driving routes. Nevertheless, numerous local cities and towns are fighting the visual pollution caused by billboards and posters. There is minimal formal consumer protection, but local companies should use ethical principles in advertising strategies or run the risk of a backlash from Slovak consumers, who tend to be well-informed about unethical advertising. 
The U.S. Commercial Service offers its Business Service Provider (BSP), Featured U.S. Exporters (FUSE), and Single Company Promotion (SCP) services to U.S. companies seeking potential business partners in Slovakia. BSP is an online program to help U.S. exporters identify professional export service providers to support them in the assessment, financing, or completion of an export transaction. FUSE provides U.S. companies with an opportunity to enhance their international marketing efforts through improved search engine optimization. SCP helps U.S. companies with promotional services increasing the awareness of their product/service in a specific market. For more information how the U.S. Commercial Service can assist you in expanding your sales to the Slovak market, please contact the U.S. Commercial Services Global Markets office closest to you or by contacting the U.S. Commercial Service in Bratislava directly.

Pricing
As of January 1, 2025, the minimum monthly wage in Slovakia is EUR 816.00 (USD 957), up from EUR 750.00 (USD 880) in 2024. The hourly minimum wage is EUR 4.69 (USD 5.77). These figures apply to full-time employees working a standard 40-hour workweek, with the wage increase reflecting efforts to keep pace with inflation and improve living standards. In the second quarter of 2024, the average nominal monthly wage in Slovakia increased by 7.1 percent year-on-year to EUR 1,520 (USD 1783).
Price sensitivity remains a key factor for Slovak consumers, though a significant segment of the population has higher earning power. There is a notable price gap between urban and rural areas, and food prices are increasingly aligning with those in Western EU countries, reflecting broader regional economic trends.
As of January 1, 2025, Slovakia has implemented significant changes to its Value Added Tax (VAT) system:
•    Standard VAT Rate: Increased from 20 percent to 23 percent. 
•    Reduced VAT Rate: Increased from 10 percent to 19 percent. 
•    Super-Reduced VAT Rate: Maintained at 5 percent, applicable to specific goods and services such as basic foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, books, and certain accommodation services. 
VAT is applied to goods and services consumed within Slovakia, as well as on imports into the country. Exports are generally exempt from VAT. Certain services, including financial and banking services, educational services, and real estate rentals (excluding new properties), are exempt from VAT.
Effective January 1, 2025, tax authorities require registration of businesses with an annual turnover exceeding EUR 50,000.
Slovakia recently introduced a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), which entered into force on January 1, 2025. This tax applies to various financial activities conducted by Slovak legal entities, self-employed individuals, and their outgoing bank payments, including cash withdrawals and card payments. 
•    Tax Rates and Limits:
o    Outgoing Bank Payments: 0.4 percent of the transaction amount, capped at EUR 40 per transaction.
o    Cash Withdrawals: 0.8 percent of the withdrawal amount, with no cap.
o    Payment Card Usage: EUR 2 annually per payment card, regardless of usage frequency.
o    Recharged Expenses: 0.4 percent of the full amount of a financial transaction made on behalf of a taxable entity by another person for the recharge of expenses related to the performance of financial transactions in Slovakia. 
•    Exemptions:
o    Transactions related to tax payments, social security contributions, or transfers between own bank accounts within the same bank are exempt from FTT. 
•    Tax Return and Payment:
o    The taxable period is a calendar month.
o    The deadline for filing a tax return and paying the tax is the last day of the calendar month immediately following the taxable period.
o    For the first three taxable periods (April, May, and June 2025), the tax can be remitted by July 31, 2025.

Sales Service/Customer Support
All Slovak and foreign entities must provide two-year warranties and after-sales service for electronic products. Companies registered in Slovakia are not required to provide this service themselves, but must be able to arrange service for customers either within Slovakia or abroad.

Local Professional Services
Several law firms in Slovakia conduct business in English and are familiar with U.S. laws. A few U.S. firms have offices in Slovakia. U.S. companies seeking a list of English-speaking attorneys may contact the U.S. Commercial Service office in Bratislava at office.bratislava@trade.gov. The Slovak Chamber of Attorneys has more information on individual law firms.
There is a range of local professional services for businesses and individuals looking to expand into Slovakia. Below is a list of professional associations and services providers across various sectors:

•    Association of Employers’ Unions and Associations of the Slovak Republic
AZZZ SR is the top employers’ organization in the Slovak Republic. Its members are employers, business associations and associations operating throughout the Slovak Republic in almost all sectors of the economy.
Website: www.azzz.sk

•    Slovak Bar Association
The Slovak Bar Association is an independent self-administrative professional organization, currently associating more than 5,500 lawyers with active practice and 2,000 trainee lawyers. The Slovak Bar Association (SBA) regulates and oversees the legal profession in Slovakia. It maintains a directory of lawyers and law firms.
Website: www.sak.sk

•    Slovak Chamber of Tax Advisors
Slovak Chamber of Tax Advisors oversees tax advisors in Slovakia and provides a directory of qualified professionals.
Website: www.skdp.sk

•    National Association of Real Estate Agencies of Slovakia
NARKS brings together real estate professionals and provides comprehensive continuing education for real estate agents and real estate managers. 
Website: www.narks.sk

Principal Business Associations
There are several influential business associations that play a significant role in shaping the country’s economic environment in Slovakia. These associations represent the interests of various industries and businesses, offering support to local and international companies. Below is an overview of the key business associations in Slovakia, including those that accept U.S. company memberships:
•    The Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
The SCCI is the key national organization representing businesses across various industries in Slovakia. SCCI plays a key role in supporting international trade and investment. It is the largest and the most influential business association in Slovakia, representing companies from all sectors of economy. It regularly advocates for better business conditions and legislative changes, and its opinions are considered during the legislative process in Slovakia. It is a public-law institution with the goal of supporting and protecting the business interests of its members in Slovakia and abroad. It has approximately 1,000 Slovak member companies.
Website: www.sopk.sk

•    The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Slovakia)
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) was founded in 1993 in Bratislava as an independent and self-supporting organization, entirely dependent on contributions from its members. Today, it serves as the most active foreign chamber of commerce in Slovakia. Currently, its membership consists of 285 U.S. and Slovak companies, including many of the largest and most important firms in Slovakia. 
Website: www.sopk.sk

•    Slovak Business Agency (SBA)
The SBA supports entrepreneurs and businesses in Slovakia, particularly in the fields of innovation, exports, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It assists with the development of business infrastructure and promotes the country as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment. SBA offers membership and services to foreign businesses, including U.S. companies, particularly those interested in investing in Slovakia. SBA collaborates with the Slovak government to create programs and incentives for foreign investors, and its recommendations influence decisions regarding business development, SMEs, and export strategies.
Website: www.sbagency.sk

•    Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA)
SFPA is a Foreign Policy Think-Tank, primarily focused on foreign policy and international relations, but also works closely with businesses and accepts corporate members, including those from the U.S. The main goal is to promote Slovakia’s international economic and political relations, with a special emphasis on foreign investment and cross-border trade. It also works on strengthening the business and diplomatic ties between Slovakia and other countries. The SFPA provides research and policy advice to the Slovak government on international trade and foreign relations.
Website: www.sfpa.sk

•    National Union of Employers (RÚZ)

National Union of Employers is one of the most prominent employer organizations in Slovakia. Established in 2004, it represents and protects the interests of its member companies, ranging from small businesses to major industrial players across all sectors of the economy. RÚZ is a key partner in the Slovak “tripartita” (Social and Economic Council), where it actively participates in the legislative process and contributes to discussions on labor law, social, tax, and wage policies. It also represents Slovak employers on an international level, as a member of organizations like BusinessEurope.
Website: https://www.ruzsr.sk/

•    The American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA)
ACEBA is a platform that facilitates dialogue between American executives and political leaders from Central Europe. Its main goal is to organize DC-based roundtable discussions with U.S. and foreign leaders. ACEBA offers U.S. companies membership benefits, including access to political discussions and key business networks. Through its strong connections in U.S. Congress and Central European governments, ACEBA ensures that members’ concerns are addressed and that they can influence policies related to trade and investment.
Website: www.aceba.org

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services
There are no specific trade barriers and limitations on selling U.S. products and services in Slovakia.