AmCham Slovakia

As the 2025 calendar year draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect and provide you with a few observations and updates.

I often hear throughout the year that the scope of AmCham’s programs can be overwhelming and that not every member has the capacity to engage in them all. That’s understandable. Not every member focuses on restructuring, compliance, or healthcare. That’s why we’ve established 15 working committees and task forces; each tailored to specific areas of interest and business relevance. These groups reflect your needs and are designed to support your business, your role, and your employees. You can view the full list here.

However, there is another critical area of ​​AmCham’s work that may not seem immediately relevant to your day-to-day operations – but in fact has a profound impact on your business and its future. I’m referring to legislative developments in Slovakia and AmCham’s active role in shaping them. We engage in these processes to ensure that your voice is heard, your concerns are addressed, and your interests are protected.

AmCham often participates in standard legislative procedures, even as an optional commenter. In many cases, our input is welcomed and incorporated. Sometimes we are involved from the early stages, contributing to the development of legislation through working groups. Other times, we learn about proposals through the media or find that they have reached parliament through non-standard channels. In such cases, we respond through the Rule of Law Initiative, issuing public statements, and organizing press conferences with our partners.

The past year has been particularly intense, and I would like to share with you a summary of some legislative and advocacy activities we have undertaken and will continue to do so in 2026.

Employment & Social Affairs Committee (more info)

• Digitalization of Employment Law Processes. Earlier in 2025, the Committee presented a policy paper to the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family proposing amendments to the Labor Code to enable secure and legally sound electronic signing and delivery of employment-related documents.
• We submitted fundamental comments on the Draft Act on the Application of the Principle of Equal Pay for Women and Men for the Same Work or Work of Equal Value and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts (LP/2025/475).
• In parallel, we have been closely monitoring relevant EU legislation, particularly the EU Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970) and the EU Directive on Improving Gender Balance Among Directors of Listed Companies (2022/2381).

Health Care Committee (more info)

• Amendment to Act No. 363/2011 on Reimbursement of Medicines and Medical Devices
• Continuous engagement throughout 2025 included working meetings with the Ministry of Health (notably on August 26, September 16, and September 22) to present industry comments on the draft amendment.
• AmCham also co-signed a joint position paper with other foreign chambers of commerce addressing the parliamentary amendment to the Act, advocating for transparency, predictability, and patient access to modern treatments. These discussions have contributed to a more inclusive legislative process within the Ministry of Health.

Public Procurement Task Force (more info)

• Implementation of the Amended Public Procurement Act
• On September 3, 2025, AmCham Slovakia met with the Chairman of the Public Procurement Office to discuss the implementation of the newly amended Act.
• The conversation focused on practical challenges faced by businesses under the new rules, and follow-up work is being carried out within the Task Force to develop specific recommendations for improving legislative clarity and efficiency.

Tax Committee (more info)

• From June–September 2025, AmCham engaged on the VAT Act & E-Invoicing with the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Administration, submitting comments on mandatory e-invoicing and real-time reporting.
• AmCham acknowledged administrative, software, and financial challenges of the transaction tax and facilitated dialogue with the Ministry of Finance to clarify key areas of application. We submitted specific questions and suggestions, which received a joint response from the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Administration.
• Members participated in the Consultation Council of the President of the Financial Administration and in several ministry consultations.

Digital Committee (more info)

• Proposed Digital Tax and Amendments to IT and Cybersecurity Legislation
• On August 27, 2025, AmCham sent a formal letter to State Secretary Radomír Šalitroš (MIRRI) expressing concern over the proposed digital tax, emphasizing the lack of stakeholder consultation and potential negative impact on Slovakia’s investment climate. AmCham requested a personal meeting to discuss alternative solutions.
• Earlier in June, the Committee also engaged with MIRRI and the Ministry of Justice on proposed amendments to the ITVS Act, the Cybersecurity Decree, and the national implementation of the EU AI Act, contributing expert feedback and nominations to future working groups.

Rule of Law Initiative (more info)

• Overall focus on Legislative Transparency.
• Released public statements on the Fiscal Consolidation Package, urging transparency and expert-driven legislation.
• Met with State Secretary Michal Kaliňák (Ministry of Interior) to discuss the Lobbying Act, presenting our Declaration on Draft Legislation and offering cooperation on fair, transparent rules.
• Continued engagement on nonprofit and lobbying legislation to enhance trust and transparency.
• Issued several key statements, including Position on Slovakia’s EU and NATO Membership; Statement on Proposed Constitutional Amendments; Position on the Personal Data Protection Act; Open Letter on the Environmental Fund Amendment.
• Strengthened AmCham’s role as a key advocate for quality legislation and evidence-based policymaking.

Business–Academic Cooperation Committee (more info)

• Higher Education Act and Education Strategy 2035
• The Committee submitted comments and feedback on the draft Higher Education Act and the National Education Strategy until 2035, emphasizing the need for stronger links between academia and the labor market. The Committee also participated in consultations with the Ministry of Education, helping shape reforms that aim to modernize higher education governance and promote (especially digital) innovations.

Restructuring and Insolvency Task Force (more info)

• The AmCham Slovakia Restructuring & Insolvency Task Force has actively contributed to the consultation process on the amendment to Act No. 7/2005 Coll. on Bankruptcy and Restructuring and on Amendments to Certain Acts. Through its close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic, the Task Force supports efforts to improve the business environment in Slovakia.

Construction Law Task Force (more info)

• Amendment to the Real Estate Cadaster Act (No. 162/1995 Coll.)
• On September 10, 2025, the Task Force submitted comments during the interdepartmental review process of the Amendment to the Real Estate Cadaster Act. All our comments were accepted, eliminating the need for contradictory proceedings as tangible policy success improving clarity and efficiency in the real estate registration process. Next steps include organization of a round table on possible legislative amendments.

Yes, even Law 363/2011, which concerns the availability of innovative medicines, will affect each of us. It is an urgent matter. And yes, the new Civil Code will reshape the legislative landscape and touch every area of ​​regulation, which will affect us all.

Therefore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those of you who, with your expertise, help us prepare comments, participate in legislative proceedings and contribute to work that often remains invisible, but is extremely important. Many of these contributions take place during evenings and weekends, outside standard working hours, and are made voluntarily and without entitlement to financial reward. For this, you deserve our deepest gratitude.

Your commitment directly affects how legislative norms will shape our businesses, our lives, our health, our society – and the future of our employees and families. By working together, sharing expertise, and raising our collective voice, we can shape a better business environment and a stronger Slovak economy.