Slovakia (SK)
Slovakia is a landlocked Central European republic that joined the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2009.
Tax & Payslip Guide
Understanding your taxes in Slovakia — tax year Calendar year (1 January – 31 December).
📊 Income Tax Brackets
| Income from | Income to | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5,967 | 0% (nezdaniteľná časť základu dane — non-taxable allowance) | The annual non-taxable base allowance (nezdaniteľná časť základu dane) is approximately €5,967/year (€497.23/month) for 2026 (adjusted annually to 21× the subsistence minimum). This amount is deducted from the taxable base before calculating tax. The allowance is reduced for taxpayers with higher income and eliminated for those earning above approximately €25,000/year. Spouses on low income may provide an additional spousal allowance. |
| 0 | 43,983 | 19% | The standard personal income tax rate of 19% applies to taxable income (zdaniteľný príjem) up to €43,983.32/year (approximately €3,665/month). This bracket applies after deducting the non-taxable allowance. Most Slovak employees fall entirely in this bracket. The threshold is fixed under the 2026 fiscal consolidation reform, replacing the former 5× average annual wage formula. |
| 43,984 | 60,349 | 25% | A 25% rate applies to taxable income between €43,983.33 and €60,349.21/year (approximately €5,029/month). Introduced as part of Slovakia's fiscal consolidation package (Konsolidačný balíček) effective from 1 January 2026, adding two new higher brackets above the previous two-bracket (19%/25%) structure. |
| 60,350 | 75,010 | 30% | A 30% rate applies to taxable income between €60,349.22 and €75,010.32/year (approximately €6,251/month). This bracket is new from 1 January 2026. Only the portion of income within this range is taxed at 30% — Slovakia's progressive system applies marginal rates to each slice of income. |
| 75,011 | ∞ | 35% | The top rate of 35% applies to taxable income above €75,010.32/year (approximately €6,251/month). New from 1 January 2026 as the fourth bracket. This represents a significant structural expansion from the previous two-bracket 19%/25% system, part of Slovakia's fiscal consolidation measures to reduce the budget deficit. Verify current thresholds annually at financnasprava.sk. |
🏛️ Social Contributions
Health insurance contributions paid to one of three competing health insurance funds: VšZP (Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa — public), Dôvera, or Union Zdravotná poisťovňa (private). Employers deduct the employee contribution and add the employer contribution before paying the insurance fund monthly.
Sickness insurance (nemocenské poistenie) provides income during illness, maternity, and paternity. Paid to Sociálna poisťovňa. Benefits include nemocenské (sick pay — first 10 days from employer, day 11+ from Sociálna poisťovňa), tehotenské (pregnancy benefit), and materské (maternity/paternity benefit).
Contributions to the first pillar state pension (Sociálna poisťovňa). The 14% employer rate partly funds the redistributive PAYG system. If an employee participates in the second pillar (Druhý pilier), the 4% employee contribution goes to their private pension account instead of the state system.
Provides income replacement in case of partial or total disability. Paid to Sociálna poisťovňa. Entitlement builds with contribution years and provides invalidný dôchodok (disability pension) if incapacity for work exceeds 40%.
Funds the dávka v nezamestnanosti (unemployment benefit). Employees on open-ended or fixed-term contracts contribute. Self-employed (SZČO) do not contribute to unemployment insurance and are therefore not entitled to unemployment benefit. Maximum unemployment benefit duration: 6 months.
Employer-only contribution to the solidarity reserve fund of Sociálna poisťovňa. Does not generate individual entitlements — a solidarity mechanism.
Employer-only contribution to the guarantee fund protecting employees in case of employer insolvency. Employees can claim outstanding wages from this fund if their employer goes bankrupt.
🛒 VAT Rates
Slovakia raised its standard VAT rate from 20% to 23% on 1 January 2025 as part of fiscal consolidation measures. Three-rate structure: 23% standard (most goods and services); 19% reduced (some accommodation, selected services, newspapers); 5% super-reduced (basic food, medicines, books). Always verify current rates at financnasprava.sk.
🧾 Sample Payslip Decoder
🌍 Special Expat Tax Rules
Slovakia does not offer a specific expat flat-rate tax regime comparable to the Danish Forskerskat or Dutch 30% ruling. From 1 January 2026, Slovakia expanded to a four-bracket system (19%/25%/30%/35%) as part of fiscal consolidation — high earners face significantly higher marginal rates than under the previous two-bracket structure. EU/EEA residents benefit from the standard progressive system. The 19% bracket up to ~€43,983/year remains competitive for lower-to-mid earners. Tax residency is determined by habitual residence (183-day rule + habitual abode), not nationality.
📋 Double Tax Treaties
Slovakia has an extensive network of double taxation treaties (zmluvy o zamedzení dvojitého zdanenia) with over 60 countries, including all EU member states, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, and most of Europe. Slovakia follows the OECD Model Tax Convention. Treaty benefits prevent double taxation on salary, dividends, royalties, and pensions. Check the current treaty list at financnasprava.sk.
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