Did you know that starting 1 January 2026, changes to the Financial Transaction Tax are coming?

1️⃣ Financial Transaction Tax will no longer apply to self-employed individuals

Starting with the January 2026 tax period, the tax will not apply to sole traders.
The last tax period for which they will pay the tax is December 2025.

2️⃣ New categorization of taxpayers who are legal entities

Two types of taxpayers are now defined:

• Unlimited tax liability – registered office in Slovakia
• Limited tax liability – has an account in Slovakia or operates through a permanent establishment

Foreign legal entities with limited tax liability either:
✔ have a bank account in Slovakia (regardless of its purpose), or
✔ carry out activities in Slovakia through a permanent establishment.

The law now also defines what a permanent establishment means for Financial Transaction Tax purposes.

3️⃣ Clear definitions introduced for recharged costs and permanent establishments

• Recharged cost is the amount of a financial transaction carried out on behalf of the taxpayer by another person, provided it relates to the taxpayer’s activities in Slovakia.
• Permanent establishment is a fixed place or facility through which a taxpayer with limited tax liability conducts all or part of its activities in Slovakia (e.g., branch, office, workshop, point of sale).

A place is considered permanent if activity exceeds 15 days in a calendar month.

It also includes:

1. Provision of online services via an interface located in Slovakia (e.g., e-shops, marketplaces with .sk domain or servers in Slovakia)
2. Construction or assembly sites lasting more than 15 days
3. Service provision exceeding 15 days
4. Dependent agent
5. Insurance risk located in Slovakia (e.g., insured property in Slovakia; vehicle registered in Slovakia)
6. Organizational unit registered in Slovakia

4️⃣ Clarification on payment card usage

Only actions that result in an actual financial movement on the taxpayer’s account count as “use of a payment card.”
❌ Changing a PIN or activating a card does not qualify.

5️⃣ New administrative offense introduced

If a taxpayer performs a taxable transaction on a special account designated for transactions excluded from the tax base, it constitutes an offense.

6️⃣ Changes to identification details on tax notification forms

The scope of identification data on the first page of the notification form is changing.
The new form applies starting January 2026.

Example of practical impact of the changes

Until 31 December 31 2025, it was possible for a foreign legal entity and its Slovak branch to be separate taxpayers and payers of the Financial Transaction Tax, with each taxpayer required to submit a separate notification for the relevant calendar month. From 1 January 2026, the branch will no longer be a separate taxpayer; the taxpayer will only be its founder. The notification for the relevant calendar month will therefore be submitted by the foreign legal entity, which will also include transactions related to the branch.

💡 Need help?

Do you have questions about the tax on financial transactions? Our experts are ready to help you prepare for these changes. Contact us using the details below.

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The tax environment is a subject to frequent changes. We strive to reflect the current state as accurately as possible, but all information on our website is valid as of the date of publication. If you have any questions or uncertainties, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will assess the current impact of any tax-specific issue on your situation or company.