Starting a business in Slovenia is relatively quick and free today: you can register as a sole trader (s.p., samostojni podjetnik) in a single visit to a SPOT point or online through the SPOT portal, while a limited liability company (d.o.o.) needs at least €7,500 of share capital. The bigger challenge is not the registration itself but choosing the right legal form and handling what follows in the first weeks – tax registration, insurance, a bank account and contributions.
s.p. or d.o.o.: which legal form to choose
Most small entrepreneurs in Slovenia start as sole traders because the procedure is the simplest, no capital is required and bookkeeping can be very basic. The downside is personal liability: you answer for the business’s debts with your private assets too, such as savings or your flat.
A d.o.o. is a separate legal entity. Its members are generally not liable with their personal assets, and banks, partners and investors often find a company more credible. In return it requires a larger contribution, double-entry bookkeeping and somewhat more administration.
| s.p. | d.o.o. | |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up capital | not required | at least €7,500 |
| Liability | all personal assets | limited to company assets |
| Registration fee via SPOT | free | free (with a cash contribution) |
| Where to register | SPOT portal, SPOT point, by post | SPOT point, SPOT portal (single member), notary |
| Time to registration | a few days | about 4 days on average |
Part-time and flat-rate s.p.
If you are in full-time employment, you can run your business as a part-time (popoldanski) s.p. You are already insured through your job and pay lower contributions on business income. The so-called normirani s.p. is not a separate legal form but a way of calculating the tax base with standardised (flat-rate) expenses. It suits activities with few real costs, but only up to a revenue limit that depends on your insurance history – check the current conditions with an accountant or at a SPOT point before deciding.
What you need to start a business
Before visiting a SPOT point or filing an online application, prepare:
- an identity document and a Slovenian tax number (for an s.p. you must be entered in the Central Population Register and have an EMŠO personal number);
- a business name – for an s.p. it must contain your first and last name and the abbreviation s.p.; for a company, the abbreviation d.o.o.;
- a registered address – if you do not own the premises, you need the owner’s certified consent (SPOT points certify it free of charge);
- your activities under the Slovenian standard classification (SKD);
- for a d.o.o., also details of the members, their shares and the managing director, plus the share capital.
To register from home through the SPOT portal you need a qualified digital certificate. If you do not have one, visiting a SPOT point is the fastest route, as the staff prepare the application for you.
How to register an s.p. step by step
- Application for entry in the Slovenian Business Register. File it via the SPOT portal, at a SPOT point or by post (with a certified signature), up to one month before your planned start date.
- AJPES decision. It is usually published two to three days after the proposed date. If the application is incomplete, you have eight days to supplement it.
- Tax registration with FURS. Within eight days of registration, report your business premises, the method of determining the tax base (actual or standardised expenses) and your accountant’s details through eDavki.
- Mandatory social insurance. Also within eight days, enrol in insurance as a self-employed person – except with a part-time s.p.
- Bank account. You can open a business account or use your personal one for the business, in which case you notify your bank.
The official description of the procedure and conditions is on the SPOT portal (in Slovenian).
How to set up a d.o.o.
A single-member d.o.o. with a cash contribution can be set up in the simplified procedure via the SPOT portal, at a SPOT point or with a notary; a multi-member company at a SPOT point or with a notary. All founders and managing directors must attend in person on the same day, because the documents are prepared at once.
- The SPOT point prepares the founding act or articles of association, resolutions, statements and the registration application.
- With the founding act you open a temporary bank account and pay in the share capital.
- You must submit the bank’s payment confirmation within 15 days, otherwise the application is deleted automatically.
- After entry in the court register you receive the decision and the tax number, and the bank converts the temporary account into a business account.
If you contribute capital in kind (a vehicle, equipment, property) or want to customise the agreement, you need a notary, who charges according to the notarial tariff, and for in-kind contributions often also a valuation by a court-appointed appraiser.
Start-up and monthly costs
Registration via SPOT is free for both forms. The real costs come later, mainly through contributions. In 2026 a regular s.p. paid at least about €651 a month in contributions (from March 2026, based on 60% of the average wage). Newcomers get a reduction on pension and disability insurance contributions – 50% in the first year and 30% in the second, but only on the first entry in the register.
- accounting: almost always necessary for a d.o.o.; for an s.p. it depends on how you keep your books;
- business account and bank fees according to the bank’s price list;
- a fiscal cash register and invoicing software if you accept cash;
- VAT: you must obtain a VAT number once taxable turnover exceeds the legal threshold (€60,000 since 2025).
Before you start, set aside a reserve for a few months of contributions, as the first income is often late. Advice at SPOT points is free, so ask about any permits your activity needs (for example in hospitality or crafts) before registering.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register an s.p. in Slovenia?
Registering an s.p. through the SPOT portal or a SPOT point is free. You only pay for notarising the property owner’s consent if needed, and later the regular monthly social security contributions.
How long does it take to start a business in Slovenia?
For an s.p., the AJPES decision is usually published two to three days after the proposed start date. According to SPOT, registering a d.o.o. in the court register takes about four days on average from a complete application.
Can I start a business while I am employed?
Yes. An employee can open a part-time (popoldanski) s.p. or a d.o.o. With a part-time s.p. you are already insured through your job and pay lower contributions on the business income.
Where can I get free help?
At SPOT points across Slovenia, run by regional development agencies, chambers and other organisations. They prepare the application, certify the consent for your registered address and advise on the first steps.
