Send Invoice in Slovakia

To ensure compliance, businesses operating in Slovakia must adhere to specific invoicing requirements outlined in the Slovak VAT Act. An invoice serves as a crucial document for substantiating claims for input tax deductions, and Slovak VAT payers are obligated to issue them for all taxable supplies. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties imposed by the authorities.

A full VAT invoice in Slovakia must contain a comprehensive set of information to be considered valid:

• Identity of the seller and customer: This includes their full name, address, and respective VAT registration identification numbers.
• Invoice number: A distinct, sequential number is mandatory for traceability.
• Dates: The invoice must clearly state its date of issuance, the date of supply (if different), or the date of payment if it occurred before the supply date.
• Description of goods/services: This includes the nature and quantity or extent of the supply.
• Financial details: Invoices must detail the taxable amounts per VAT rate, the unit price exclusive of VAT, any discounts or rebates, the applied VAT rates, and the total VAT payable in EUR.
• VAT exemption details: If applicable, details of the VAT exemption with statutory references or the phrase "the supply is exempt from VAT" must be included.

For smaller transactions, simplified invoice rules apply. Simplified invoices are permitted for sales of EUR 400 or less. These invoices require fewer details than a full VAT invoice, typically only needing to state the gross amount and the VAT rate. Examples of documents considered simplified invoices include receipts for goods or services under EUR 100 paid in cash, or cash register receipts (eKasa) under EUR 400 when paid in cash, or EUR 1600 when paid electronically. However, simplified invoices cannot be issued for exempt supplies.

Slovakia is undergoing a significant transformation in its invoicing landscape, moving towards mandatory electronic invoicing as part of a broader digital strategy and in alignment with the EU's VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative. The Slovak government approved an amendment to the VAT Act, introducing mandatory e-invoicing and real-time reporting. This initiative aims to modernize tax administration, enhance transparency, and combat VAT fraud more effectively.

The implementation of mandatory e-invoicing in Slovakia will occur in phases. The central e-invoicing infrastructure became voluntarily available to all VAT-registered entities as of January 1, 2026. The critical date for mandatory e-invoicing for domestic B2B (business-to-business) transactions and mandatory reporting of data is January 1, 2027. From this date, invoices for B2B transactions will only be valid if they contain the required information, are issued, sent, and received in a structured electronic format suitable for automated digital processing.

The impact of the EU's ViDA initiative extends beyond domestic transactions. While mandatory e-invoicing will initially apply to domestic transactions between taxable persons established in Slovakia, the obligation will be extended to all cross-border B2B and B2G (business-to-government) transactions within the EU, regardless of where the entities are established, from July 1, 2030. This will also lead to the abolition of the inland VAT statement and the EC Sales List, as all necessary information will be available to the Financial Administration in real-time. Furthermore, the deadline for issuing an invoice will be shortened from 15 days to 10 days from the supply of goods or services, or the receipt of payment prior to the supply, starting from July 1, 2030.

As Slovakia transitions to mandatory e-invoicing, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure compliance and a smooth workflow. A key aspect of this preparation involves aligning with the Peppol network, which Slovakia is adopting for its decentralized e-invoicing system. Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line) provides a standardized framework for exchanging electronic documents, ensuring interoperability across different systems. Businesses should assess their current accounting and ERP systems to determine if they are compatible with Peppol BIS 3.0, which will be the basis of the structured electronic format. This may involve upgrading existing software or integrating with certified e-invoicing solution providers.

The importance of electronic signatures on e-invoices cannot be overstated. While the current VAT Act states that an e-invoice must be signed by an authorized person using an electronic signature to be considered valid, the new e-invoicing framework emphasizes structured data exchange. An e-invoice must be created, sent, and received in an electronic document format that allows for automated processing and complies with the technical standard EN 16931. This structured format, typically XML, inherently ensures the authenticity of origin and integrity of content, which were previously secured by electronic signatures in less structured electronic invoicing methods.

Real-time e-reporting requirements are another critical element of the upcoming changes. From January 1, 2027, suppliers will be obligated to report invoice data to the Financial Administration no later than the date of issuance of the invoice, or within 5 days if the invoice is issued by the customer (self-billing). Recipients of domestic invoices will also be required to report data on received documents within 5 days of receipt. This means businesses need robust systems capable of generating and transmitting invoice data in the required structured format (e.g., XML based on UBL 2.1 or Peppol BIS 3.0) directly to the tax authorities or through accredited intermediaries known as Digital Postmen.

Maintaining proper invoice storage is a critical aspect of compliance in Slovakia, with specific rules governing retention periods and formats. According to the Slovak VAT Act, a taxable person must ensure the authenticity of origin, integrity of content, and legibility of an invoice from the moment it is issued until the end of the retention period. Generally, VAT payers must retain invoices for 10 years. This applies to both paper and electronic invoices.

However, specific rules apply to invoices related to immovable property. Invoices concerning immovable property must be kept available for a longer period, specifically 20 years. This extended retention period underscores the long-term nature of property transactions and the need for comprehensive documentation. While invoices can be stored in either paper or electronic form, electronic storage is increasingly becoming the norm, especially with the shift towards mandatory e-invoicing. When storing invoices electronically, businesses must ensure that the chosen method guarantees the integrity and authenticity of the data throughout the entire retention period.

Non-compliance with invoicing regulations can lead to significant penalties. The Slovak tax authorities can impose fines for various infractions, including failure to issue invoices, incorrect invoice content, or not adhering to the prescribed storage requirements. For instance, the right to deduct VAT will only arise on the basis of an electronic invoice issued in accordance with the law after July 1, 2030, meaning paper invoices or other non-standard forms will not be sufficient unless expressly excepted by law. Therefore, understanding and strictly adhering to these storage and compliance rules is essential for businesses to avoid financial penalties and maintain good standing with the tax administration.