News: Open an account in Slovakia

How to open a bank account in Slovakia

Opening an account with a bank in Slovakia is necessary both for legal entities and individuals. It is possible to manage accounts in banks of jurisdiction through electronic banking system - Internet banking. If desired, the client will receive a card: standard, embossed or credit.
Banks in Slovakia:

1.  Československá obchodná banka.
2. ČSOB stavebná sporiteľňa.
3. OTP Banka Slovensko.
4. Poštová banka.
5. Prima banka Slovensko.
6. Privatbanka.
7. Prvá stavebná sporiteľňa.
8. Sberbank Slovensko.
9. Slovenská sporiteľňa.
10. Slovenská záručná a rozvojová banka.
11. Tatra banka.
12. Všeobecná úverová banka.
13. Wüstenrot stavebná sporiteľňa.

There are also branches of foreign banks operating in the country.

All thirteen of the above mentioned institutions offer their services on the basis of a license issued by the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS).

Is it possible for a non-resident to open an account in Slovakia

There are no legal restrictions governing or prohibiting the opening of a current account for foreigners in a financial and credit institution of Slovakia. The law regulates the procedure for opening an account, responsibilities of banks, the process of identifying the client and ultimate beneficial owner.

The evidence from practice shows that each bank has different approaches and requirements. For example, some banks open accounts in Slovakia for foreigners only after permission from the central office of the bank. Other banks do not open accounts on the basis of a power of attorney. Some banks do not open accounts for legal entities from third countries. Certain banks require not only a foreign passport, but also translation of the address of residence indicated in a national passport. There are banks that prepare all the documents themselves, and the client must fill out the questionnaire himself in other banks. With regard to clients who want to apply for temporary residence in Slovakia, it is important to consider that the procedure will take one day in some banks, and three days in others.

Do you need a bank account in Slovakia? Contact Law&Trust International! Our lawyers know the requirements of the banks of the jurisdiction, their differences and approaches to registering the account for both individuals and legal entities.

Requirements of Slovak banks for non-residents

Approaches to opening an account for legal entities-non-residents vary greatly. Some banks provide an account opening service even for a legal entity not from the EU. Banks may also require the presence of a company representative.

If you want to open an account in Slovakia, filling out the form indicating an ultimate beneficiary is mandatory in almost all banks, and above form may also need to be notarized.

In order for the process of opening an account was quick and successful, it is recommended that you contact competent specialists working in the field of international business. Lawyers of Law&Trust will select the bank most suitable for the client, and if necessary - the one to open an account on the basis of a power of attorney, without the presence of future holder. The power of attorney can be signed at the Consulate of the Slovak Republic, at the Honorary Consulate, and sometimes at the Consulate of the Czech Republic.

Great advantage of opening an account in Slovakia is the fact that there is no need to obtain a bank permission to transfer funds. The bank rarely needs to provide information on the destination and the reason of the transfer. But even if the bank requested information about transactions, this is not due to the entrepreneurial activity of the client, but to the Law No. 297/2008 Coll. on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism.