Many foreign clients want to own a Slovak limited liability company (s.r.o.) but cannot easily travel to Slovakia — or simply prefer not to. The good news is that buying a Slovak s.r.o. from abroad is entirely possible: almost the entire process is handled online, and the only step requiring a physical signature can be completed in your own country. This guide explains exactly how remote acquisition works in 2026, which signing options you have, what documents you need, and what to watch out for as a non-resident.
Can you really buy a Slovak s.r.o. remotely?
Yes. The reservation, setting of company parameters, document preparation, and payment can all be done electronically. What Slovak law does require is that the share transfer agreement be in written form with officially certified (notarised) signatures of the transferor and the transferee. In other words, the documents themselves must be signed and the signatures verified — but that verification does not have to take place in Slovakia. It can be done at a Slovak embassy, before a local notary abroad, or, if you do travel, in Slovakia directly.
Once the signed documents are in order, the change of ownership is filed electronically with the Commercial Register, and the registration court typically completes the entry within a few business days.
Options for signing the transfer documentation remotely
There are, in practice, three routes — plus one convenience option some providers offer.
1. Signing at a Slovak embassy or consulate abroad
You can have your signature certified at a Slovak diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your country. Because it is a Slovak authority, the certification is directly valid for use in Slovakia, with no apostille or translation needed for the signature certification itself. This is often the cleanest route for non-residents, though availability and appointment lead times vary by country, so it is worth checking with the specific mission in advance.
2. Certification before a local notary abroad + apostille + sworn translation
Alternatively, you can sign before a local notary in your country. In this case the document usually needs an extra layer of authentication so that Slovakia recognises it:
- If your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the notary’s certification is authenticated with an apostille, after which a sworn (official) translation into Slovak is added.
- If your country is not a party to the Hague Convention, instead of an apostille the document goes through superlegalisation (consular legalisation), again followed by a sworn translation into Slovak.
A practical note: documents in some languages may be treated more leniently — for example, a Czech-language extract is generally not translated — but for most foreign jurisdictions you should plan for the apostille/legalisation plus translation step.
3. Signing in person in Slovakia
If you happen to travel to Slovakia, signing in person is the fastest route of all — the signature can be certified locally and the process moves straight to the Commercial Register filing without any apostille or translation of the signing.
4. The provider travelling to you
Some providers offer, as a paid convenience, to send a representative to meet the client for signing. If your situation makes embassy or notary logistics difficult, it is worth asking whether this option is available.
Which documents a foreign client needs?
For a smooth remote purchase, prepare the following:
- a valid passport or national ID of the future shareholder(s) and director;
- a clean criminal record certificate, typically no older than three months, where required — with an apostille/legalisation and sworn Slovak translation if issued abroad;
- the proposed company name and a brief description of the intended business activity;
- proof of permanent residential address.
If the buyer is to be a foreign legal entity (a holding company acting as shareholder), you will additionally need an apostilled extract from the relevant commercial register, officially translated into Slovak. Bear in mind that documents signed by a company’s statutory body abroad often require the full chain: signature before a notary, apostille (or consular legalisation), confirmation of the company’s existence, and sworn translation.
Slovak shelf companies with VAT registration.
What to watch out for: shareholder vs. director for foreigners
One point that frequently surprises foreign buyers is that Slovak law distinguishes between being a shareholder and being the director (konateľ). A foreigner can become a shareholder without restriction, but the rules for the director depend on nationality: EU, EEA, and OECD nationals can become a director directly, whereas a non-EU (third-country) national can only become the director after obtaining Slovak residence — until then they can participate as a shareholder.
This distinction matters when planning a remote purchase, because it can affect who signs as what and what the company structure looks like at the moment of transfer. We cover the director conditions and required residence steps in detail in our dedicated article on how buying a ready-made s.r.o. works.
Step by step: buying a Slovak s.r.o. remotely
- Online reservation. Choose a company from the current offer and submit the reservation form; the provider contacts you for an initial consultation.
- Set the company parameters. Provide the details of the future shareholders and director and specify the changes you want — company name, registered office, business activities.
- Document preparation. The transfer documentation is prepared and sent to you electronically for approval.
- Choose your signing method. Decide between the Slovak embassy, a local notary with apostille/legalisation and translation, signing in Slovakia, or (if offered) the provider travelling to you. Arrange and complete the signature certification.
- Payment by bank transfer. Pay the price remotely; after the payment is processed you receive the complete corporate and accounting documents.
- Registration of changes in the Commercial Register. The provider files the changes electronically and notifies the tax office, handing over the DIČ and VAT (IČ DPH) cards.
Throughout, the only step that cannot be done from your desk is the physical signature — and even that, as shown above, can be handled in your own country.
Conclusion
Buying a Slovak s.r.o. from abroad is a well-established, fully workable process. With most steps online and several remote signing options — embassy, local notary with apostille or legalisation, or a provider visit — you can acquire and own a Slovak company without setting foot in the country. The key is to plan the document logistics early: confirm your embassy’s availability, and budget time for any apostille, legalisation, and sworn translation your jurisdiction requires.
You can view the current offer of ready-made companies with VAT registration and get non-binding advice on the signing route that fits your country and situation. Because timelines for embassies, apostilles, and translations vary, we recommend confirming the specific requirements for your jurisdiction before setting a target date.
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace individual legal advice. Document and certification requirements vary by country; always verify the specific procedure with the relevant Slovak embassy, a notary, or a qualified advisor.
Mgr. Dominik Ondrišeje
Dominik is co-founder of the SetupMART project. Dominik is responsible for corporate services and implementation of modern technologies in our services at SetupMART. Dominik is dedicated to the sale of ready-made companies since 2011. Dominik studied law at the Pan-European School of Law.