We bring you a brief overview of important legislative news from the Slovak Republic that should not escape your attention.
Draft amendment on EIA from the workshop of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic
In February 2024, the Ministry of the Environment submitted a proposal to amend Act No. 24/2006, on Environmental Impact Assessment. Even though the declared aim of the legislative regulation was to harmonise the law with the EU legal framework and to make the procedure more efficient, more than 700 comments pointing to the shortcomings of the legal regulation were raised within the comment procedure. One controversial point, for example, is the effort to significantly limit the rights of the affected public in investigative proceedings. The fate of the proposed legislation is thus unclear.
Extended authorised period for providing energy subsidies for businesses
Slovakia has extended the period for providing energy subsidies for businesses and continues to disburse them according to the same rules as before. The authorised period has been extended until June 2024, and it is currently possible to apply for the payment of energy subsidies individually for the months of January 2023 to January 2024.
Higher court and administrative fees from 1 April 2024
The basic fee rate for filing a lawsuit (the subject of the proceedings can be valued in money) remains 6%, while the minimum and maximum fees (min. EUR 25 max. EUR 25,000, in business matters max. EUR 50,000) will change. Court fees for other court proceedings and administrative fees are increased, while for electronic filing the rate will be reduced by 50%, but at most by EUR 50.
Decision of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic
A guarantee is created by a unilateral written declaration of the guarantor, but it cannot be imposed on the creditor, and therefore it cannot be denied the opportunity to reject it.
Changes in levies from 1 January 2024
Contributions to voluntary old-age pension savings in the form of the second pillar are reduced from 5.5% to 4%. At the same time, the health insurance rates for employers are increasing from 10% to 11% and for self-employed persons from 14% to 15%.
Employer's obligation to pay for prescription glasses if employees need them to perform their work
Employers are obliged to provide glasses to employees who use a computer as a significant part of their work, if so determined by an ophthalmologist. The employer can provide prescription glasses directly or reimburse the costs incurred. If the employer reimburses the costs, it is advisable to regulate the method of request and the amount in an internal regulation.
Slovak government expands the possibilities of granting national visas
As of 6 March 2024, the Government of the Slovak Republic has expanded the range of foreign nationals to whom it is interested in granting a national visa in selected industrial jobs to citizens of India, and in the field of transport to citizens of the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Nepal. The Slovak government has increased the total number of national visas granted in the interest of the Slovak Republic in industry from 2,000 to 10,000, for bus drivers from 200 to 2,000 and for heavy truck drivers from 2,000 to 5,000.
By Jana Sapakova and Petra Markova, Counsels, Simona Makuchova, Senior Associate, and Jan Scerba, Marek Prityi, Martina Oveckova, and Martina Tymkova, Associates, Eversheds Sutherland
