Closing a trade licence

Guide to closing a trade licence

1. 1

   Choose how to close the trade licence

   You can close the trade licence in three ways:

   Electronically
   Submit the notification via the Slovensko.sk portal. Use the form Notification of closing a business.Opens in a new window

   
   Important notice: To use the electronic service you need eID (an ID card with a chip)Opens in a new window. When submitting, you must sign the document with a qualified electronic signature (KEP)Opens in a new window - without it, the electronic submission cannot be sent.

   In person

   • at the relevant district (trade licensing) office according to the address of your permanent residence, or according to the registered office of the legal person,
   • check the office days and hours of the trade licensing offices / JKM.Opens in a new window

   By post
   The form can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the SR; use the form Notification of closing a business.Opens in a new window

   Good to know: The trade authorization ceases the day after the notification is delivered to the trade licensing office, unless you state a later closing date. You can withdraw the notification of closing the business at the latest the day before the trade ceases.

2. 2

   Fee information

   Closing a trade licence is free of charge:

   • electronically,
   • as well as in paper form.
3. 3

   What the trade licensing office arranges for you

   After the trade is closed, the trade licensing office also notifies the change to:

   • the Social Insurance Agency,
   • the health insurance company,
   • the tax office.
4. 4

   Fulfil your obligations after closing the trade licence

   Health insurance company
   As a natural person, you must have continuous health insurance coverage - every single day of the year. This means that if you no longer pay health insurance contributions as a self-employed tradesperson, you must have another contribution payer.

   After closing the trade you have two options:

   • you become an employee (the employer pays the insurance), or
   • you become a self-payer of health insurance. Check the conditions with your health insurance company.

   Information for payers: 

   Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa; Opens in a new window

   Poisťovňa Dôvera; Opens in a new window

   Union zdravotná poisťovňa.Opens in a new window

   Tax office
   After closing the trade:

   • submit an income tax return for the period of business activity,
   • apply for cancellation of your Tax Identification Number (DIČ) if you are no longer doing business,
   • if you used a car for business, submit a motor vehicle tax return (within one month after the end of the tax period, which ends on the last day of the month in which you closed the business; for example, if you close the trade during May, you submit the return and pay the motor vehicle tax by the end of June),
   • if you were also a VAT payer, cancel your registration for this tax.

   Business partners and other entities
   Inform all parties who may be affected by the closure of your trade:

   • business partners,
   • the bank,
   • your accountant.
5. 5

   Recommendations

   • by law you are required to keep accounting and tax documents for 5 to 10 years (for example invoices, contracts, tax returns),
   • check that you have no outstanding debts to the state (Social Insurance Agency, health insurance company, tax office),
   • terminate all contracts related to the business (for example lease, leasing, services),
   • settle assets, inventory, receivables, and liabilities.