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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 15:41 · 49 articles added
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Economy

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Economy

New EU Rules to Speed Up Electricity Provider Switching to One Working Day

The European Union has introduced new regulations that will reduce the time required for consumers to switch electricity suppliers to just one working day. The measure is designed to improve the functioning of the energy market by making it easier for customers to change providers and potentially find better deals. The faster switching process is expected to increase competition among electricity suppliers and give consumers more flexibility in choosing their energy providers across EU member states.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia Expects New Investment Despite Recent Corporate Departures

Slovakia appears set to attract a new major investment despite recent departures of significant companies from the country. Electronics giant Samsung and confectionery maker Figaro are among the companies that have left Slovakia, joining other firms in exiting the market. However, the current government appears to be successfully negotiating to bring a new investor to Slovakia, suggesting potential recovery in the country's investment climate. The development comes as Slovakia works to maintain its position as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment amid broader economic challenges affecting Central Europe.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia Reduces Budget Deficit Below 5% of GDP as State Debt Surpasses 83 Billion Euros

Slovakia successfully reduced its public finance deficit below 5 percent of gross domestic product, marking an improvement in the country's fiscal position. However, the nation's state debt continued to rise sharply, exceeding 83 billion euros according to preliminary data for 2025. The mixed fiscal picture reflects ongoing challenges in Slovakia's public finances, where efforts to control the deficit have not prevented the accumulation of overall government debt. The preliminary 2025 figures reveal additional concerning trends in the country's fiscal management, highlighting the delicate balance between reducing annual deficits while managing the broader debt burden that has implications for Slovakia's long-term economic stability and compliance with European Union fiscal rules.

Aktuality
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Economy

Financial experts offer advice as Slovaks struggle with paycheck-to-paycheck living amid rising costs

Most Slovaks recognize they need to secure their own financial future for retirement, ideally investing decades in advance to maintain their standard of living. However, many find themselves unable to save due to rising costs and repeated government austerity measures, forcing them to live paycheck to paycheck. Financial experts from various fields are providing guidance on how to organize personal finances better, addressing the growing challenge faced by Slovak households trying to balance immediate expenses with long-term financial planning in an increasingly difficult economic environment.

Dennik N
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Economy

Slovakia's Capital Market 2026 Investment Conference Announces Focus on Global Turbulence and AI

Slovakia's Capital Market 2026 investment conference is preparing for its 14th edition, promising to address current market realities including global economic turbulence, digital securities, artificial intelligence, wealth management, and alternative investments. The conference organizers indicate the event will feature exceptional speakers and an exclusive evening program. The annual gathering has established itself as a significant forum for investment professionals in Slovakia, focusing on contemporary challenges and opportunities in the financial markets.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovakia Mandates Card Payment Option for Businesses Starting May 1

Starting May 1, Slovak businesses can no longer refuse cashless payments for transactions over one euro. The new regulation requires all merchants, from taxi drivers and repair technicians to café owners, to offer customers the option of paying by card or other electronic payment methods. The law eliminates the common practice of cash-only policies that many small businesses previously maintained. Business owners across various sectors must now ensure they have the necessary payment infrastructure in place to comply with the mandate, which affects any service or product costing more than one euro.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovak Finance Minister's Tax Reform Plan Fails to Meet Economic Expectations

Finance Minister Ladislav Huliak's ambitious tax reform plan, designed to significantly boost state revenues, has fallen short of expectations and faced major obstacles. Huliak had initially presented the plan as a crucial solution for Slovakia's economic challenges and tied it to key economic support measures. However, the proposal quickly encountered problems with European Union regulations and unrealistic revenue projections. The minister's approach, which began as a forceful ultimatum linking the tax changes to broader economic assistance, has since been quietly scaled back as the practical difficulties became apparent.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovakia Benefits from Eurozone Membership Despite Higher Borrowing Costs

Slovakia secured more favorable borrowing terms than the Czech Republic in recent government bond issuances, despite having weaker public finances and lower credit ratings from rating agencies. The advantage stems from Slovakia's eurozone membership, as the European Central Bank maintains lower interest rates compared to the Czech National Bank. While Slovakia's borrowing costs have increased since the escalation of the Middle East conflict involving the US and Israel, the country still benefits from the monetary policy coordination that comes with sharing the euro currency. The Czech Republic, though maintaining better fiscal health and receiving more favorable assessments from rating agencies, faces higher borrowing costs due to its central bank's more restrictive monetary policy stance outside the eurozone framework.

Dennik N
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Economy

Bloomberg: Oil deliveries through Druzhba pipeline could resume Tuesday

Oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline could be restored on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg sources. Anonymous sources told the news agency that technical tests of the pipeline system are scheduled for Tuesday. The Druzhba pipeline is a major Soviet-era oil transport system that carries Russian crude oil through several Eastern European countries, including Slovakia, making it a crucial energy supply route for the region.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

US Stocks Erase Losses Despite Fragile Ceasefire, Await End to Iranian Conflict

American stock markets reached new record highs on Friday amid hopes for lasting peace in the Iranian conflict, with major indices continuing their strong upward trajectory. The S&P 500 index achieved twelve consecutive days of growth through Friday, driven primarily by the "Big Seven" technology companies led by Microsoft and Google, which have risen by one-fifth since late March. However, the situation deteriorated over the weekend, with renewed tensions causing skepticism to return to financial markets. The volatile combination of geopolitical uncertainty and technology sector strength has created an unstable trading environment as investors weigh hopes for regional stability against ongoing conflict risks.

Dennik N
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Economy

US Stocks Reach Record Highs Despite Middle East Tensions

American stock markets reached historic peaks on Friday amid hopes for lasting peace in Middle Eastern conflicts, with the S&P 500 index achieving twelve consecutive days of growth. The rally was driven primarily by the "Magnificent Seven" technology companies, led by Microsoft and Google, which have surged 20% since late March. However, market sentiment shifted over the weekend as regional tensions escalated again, with skepticism returning to trading floors. The technology sector's strong performance has been the primary driver of the broader market gains, pushing major indices to new all-time highs despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Dennik N
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Economy

Kofola Owner Says Europe Stagnating, Sees Potential in South America

The owner of Kofola, one of Central Europe's largest beverage companies, said Europe is experiencing economic stagnation while South America presents significant growth opportunities. Jannis Samaras explained that Czech beer, one of the company's product categories, is not yet widely established in South American markets, suggesting untapped potential for expansion. Kofola Group, originally known for its cola-flavored soft drink that became popular during the communist era, has expanded across Central and Eastern Europe and now operates as a major regional beverage producer with operations in several countries including Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Poland.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia records over 29,000 electric vehicles in first quarter as imports drive market growth

Slovakia registered 29,108 fully electric vehicles across all categories by the end of March 2026, according to official data. The growth in electric vehicle adoption was primarily driven by imports rather than domestic production. Despite this increase, Slovakia continues to lag behind broader European trends in electric mobility adoption, indicating the country remains in the early stages of transitioning away from traditional combustion engine vehicles.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Economy

Former Head of Košice Fish Processing Company Dies

Jozef Gima, the former chief executive of Ryba, a fish processing company based in Košice, has died. Gima was credited with transforming what was described as one of the most backward enterprises into a legendary business empire specializing in cod processing. Under his leadership, the Košice-based company became a significant player in the fish processing industry.

Korzár
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Economy

Slovakia raises nearly 517 million euros in April government bond auction

Slovakia raised 516.8 million euros in its regular monthly government bond auction on Monday, with the largest portion coming from longer-term debt instruments. The state received the highest volume of 221.8 million euros from bonds with the longest maturity date set for 2036. The auction represents part of Slovakia's routine government financing operations to fund public spending and refinance existing debt obligations.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Economy

Natural Gas Prices Drop 12 Percent in Slovakia as Electricity Remains Above 100 Euros

Natural gas prices in Slovakia fell sharply by 12 percent last week, providing relief to consumers after reaching their highest levels of the year in the second half of March. The significant decline occurred on European energy exchanges, where gas trading determines regional pricing. However, electricity prices remained elevated, dropping only marginally to stabilize at 104 euros per megawatt hour, staying well above the 100-euro threshold. The mixed signals on European energy markets reflect ongoing volatility in the sector, with gas prices showing greater flexibility while electricity costs remain stubbornly high for Slovak consumers.

SMEAktuality
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Economy

Slovakia's unemployment rate drops to 4.03 percent in March

Slovakia's unemployment rate fell to 4.03 percent in March, continuing a declining trend for the second consecutive month. Labor Minister Erik Tomáš announced the latest figures, which measure the share of available job seekers in productive age. The decrease reflects ongoing improvements in the Slovak labor market as the country enters spring 2026.

SMEAktuality
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Economy

Slovak Transport Companies Call for Accountability as Toll Collection Provider's Profits Exceed One Billion Euros

Slovak transport companies are demanding accountability over what they consider overpriced toll collection services, after the private company responsible for the system reported net profits exceeding one billion euros. The transport operators argue that the toll collection system is too expensive and are calling for officials to be held responsible for the arrangement. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the transport industry and the government's toll collection policies, with companies questioning whether the current system provides value for money given the substantial profits being generated by the private contractor.

SME
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Economy

Michalovce Plans to Purchase Nine Electric Buses for 4.4 Million Euros

The city of Michalovce plans to acquire nine electric buses at a cost of 4.4 million euros. The purchase will be financed through European Union funds. The initiative represents part of Slovakia's broader effort to modernize public transportation infrastructure and reduce emissions in urban areas through EU-supported green transportation projects.

Korzár
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Economy

German DIY retailer HORNBACH opens sixth store in Slovakia

German home improvement retailer HORNBACH will open its sixth store in Slovakia on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, located in Trnava. The new market will offer customers construction materials for various projects alongside professional consultation services. The expansion represents continued growth for the German chain in the Slovak retail market, where it has been establishing a presence with stores providing do-it-yourself supplies and expert advice for home renovation and construction projects.

Aktuality
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