Setting up a business in Slovenia
11 November 2009by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 11 November 2009
An overview of the process of starting a new business in Slovenia.
Legal requirements
Economic activity is carried out in different legal forms of organization. The most common forms are the independent business person and the limited-liability company. The Companies Act (ZGD-1) defines the other forms as well: unlimited company, public limited company, limited partnership and private company limited by shares.
Choosing a suitable legal-organizational form of a company [SL]
In addition to the simple initial procedures, a sound business plan and secure funding are necessary for every new business.
Administrative procedures
Independent business person
An independent business person (business person) begins with business operations, when he is entered into the Business Register of Slovenia.
The process of registering a business person into the Business Register of Slovenia is handled by the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services. Application for entry is made on a common form entitled "Application for entry into the SBR", which the business person completes on his own (using the electronic signature) or through the entry point VEM in electronic form via the e-VEM system to the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services.
Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services (AJPES)
Forms related to the registration of a business person
If the registered activity is the only or main occupation, the business person's information must be registered for pension and disability insurance, as well as obligatory health insurance, childcare parental insurance, unemployment insurance and concluding employment contracts.
Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS)
Corporate entities
A limited liability company is set up by company members through the acceptance of a contract of members. The initial capital (min.7,500 €) is deposited in the preliminary bank account; after the payment of taxes and completion of proceedings by a notary, the court register is notified on the establishment of the company.
The establishment of a limited liability company can also be done through the VEM site if it is a simple form or at a notary's office in all other instances.
Conditions for establishing a company through the VEM site [SL]
Decree on entry of companies and other legal entities in the court register [SL]
A public limited company is set up by one or more persons through the adoption of the statute in the form of a notarial record. The minimum amount of initial capital is 25,000 €. The representative, members of the Supervisory Board and members of the Board of Directors are designated. The registration procedure is the same as with a limited liability company.
Special conditions for certain activities
If business persons or companies are subject to specific rules or additional conditions for performing certain activities, before commencing they must obtain a special administrative decision to carry out business activities. The most common example is the craft industry.
Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia
Tax liabilities
With the start-up of the business, the business person or company becomes taxable, and therefore must be entered into the VAT register. This is done by filling out forms at the tax office or through the eDavki (eTaxes) web applications.
The entry point VEM can be defined as a network (by public tender or other means in accordance with valid legislation) of selected subjects that provide coverage of the entire area of Slovenia and provide support services to all interested parties at the local level at one spot.
List of VEM active points [SL]
The eVem portal enables one to submit applications to various registers, as well as the monitoring and modifying of data.
Personalised help and advice
The Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments is a national intertrade organisation for the implementation of development policies in the area of entrepreneurship development and competitiveness in Slovenia. Its tasks are the promotion of environmental development for the establishment, operation and development of businesses, which take place in the form of all types of counselling and financial incentives. Tasks are carried out through the portal.
Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments [SL]
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS), as an effective lobby, represents the interests of businesses in their relations with the state and trade unions by formulating working conditions and business operations and through proving conditions for economic development. The CCIS guarantees its members new opportunities for development, competitiveness and entry onto foreign markets.
Centre of Competitiveness at the CCIS
Free assistance for small and medium-sized businesses [SL]
The Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia is an association of craftspeople and business persons engaged in handicrafts and related activities. They realise various forms of education, supply information, organise promotional events, manage the Craft Register and offer other forms of assistance to their members.
Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia
The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local partners.
Enterprise Europe Network – contact points – Slovenia
SOLVIT helps businesses deal with problems that arise when national authorities wrongly apply EU market rules.
SOLVIT – contact points – Slovenia
Source: European Commission
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