Business in Slovenia
Slovenia – a country with one of the most advantageous locations in Central Europe, has access to the Adriatic Sea, and borders with countries such as Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. Slovenia is a member of the European Union, the Schengen Agreement, and a member of NATO. Slovenia is a country with a steadily developing economy and a high level of security. Slovenia is in the top twenty countries according to Forbes magazine in the “best country to do business” category.
How to start a business in Slovenia?
Slovenian legislation is extremely favorable for starting a business, including for foreign entrepreneurs. Business registration is free and can take place at the “All in one place” points. By the time the company registration takes from two days to a week. Citizens of third countries, that is, non-citizens of the European Union, at the first stage can open three types of companies in Slovenia:
Limited Liability Company (LLC);
Subsidiary;
Branch (representation).
To open a limited liability company or a subsidiary, which will also be an LLC, you will need to contribute a share capital of 7,500 euros. After registering a business, this amount can be easily spent on the needs of your company, pay wages, taxes, and also invest, for example, in the company’s fixed assets. When opening a branch (representative office in Slovenia), the share capital is not necessary.
When opening a company in Slovenia, you must obtain a tax number, a certificate of no criminal record in Slovenia, and if the founder is a legal entity, you must provide an extract from the register of this legal entity.
A developed form of business in Slovenia is individual entrepreneurship – it is very easy to register this type of business. The downside is that third-country nationals can register as an individual entrepreneur only after a year in Slovenia.
After registering a business in Slovenia, you will also have the opportunity to apply for a residence permit for the whole family.
In Slovenia, developed industries such as industry, agriculture, tourism. Considering the fact that Slovenia is a country with a favorable climate, there is also a large number of thermal springs, mountains, sea in Slovenia, there are quite bright prospects for doing business and translating new business ideas.
When opening a company in Slovenia, it should be borne in mind that certain types of activities are regulated, thus a license or permission will be required to carry out activities.
Taxation in Slovenia
The tax system in Slovenia is quite loyal: a tax on profits of 17% (one of the lowest in Europe), income tax is levied at a progressive rate starting at 16%, VAT (value added tax) 22%, VAT on drinks, food, hairdressers services, etc. 9.5%. The minimum wage is 1,100 euros, this includes all taxes and deductions, the employee receives a little less than 700 euros.
Double taxation in Slovenia can be avoided, since Slovenia and a number of other European countries have an agreement to avoid double taxation. List of these countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
If the company does not make a profit or is unprofitable, you do not need to pay any taxes, with the exception of taxes and payments related to wages.
There are no restrictions on the part of the state in terms of profit margins or profit margins, which is undoubtedly a plus for start-up companies.
On the whole, Slovenia is a friendly country with great potential for doing business, loyal legislation, and also an important similar mentality, which makes the adaptation process quick and painless.
