Work conditions in Slovakia

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

40 hours a week, 8 hours a day and 150 hours a month.
A maximum of 48 hours a week and 250 hours overtime a year can be done in agreement with the employee.

Retirement Age

In general, 62 for women and men.

Working Contracts

Employment contracts are regulated by legal clauses and to a lesser degree by collective agreements and individual negotiations.
The terms of employment contracts are rather rigid. They can be open-ended or of fixed duration (for a maximum of 3 years), part-time or full time.

Labour Laws

Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

According to data from Eurostat, the minimum wage is EUR 623 per month in 2021.

Average Wage

In 2021, the average monthly gross wage is EUR 1,177 per month according to the National Office of Statistics of Slovakia.

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 35.2%
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 13.4%.

Social Partners

Employer Associations

AZZZ SR - Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic
SBA - Slovak Business Agency
EAS - Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

After the fall of the communist regime, Slovak unions had to evolve because of political, economic and social changes. They had to develop as powerful groups representing the workers and also the citizens, defending their interests in a market economy. The former official unions had to transform their internal structure to become autonomous and keep their members. Only a few unions have been created over the past ten years and only four of them still exist today. Only one union is strong enough to defend workers' interests at a national level and guarantee regular meetings with the government and employer organizations. The Confederation of Unions in the Slovak Republic (KOZ SR) is recognized at the national level as representing employees in three-party negotiations. Today the unions have wide negotiating powers. However, the rate of unionization is dropping.

Labour Unions

Confederation of Unions in the Slovak Republic (KOZ SR)
Independent Christian Unions in Slovakia (NKOS)

Unionisation Rate

The rate of unionisation in Slovakia is around 13%.

Labour Regulation Bodies

Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
National Labour Office
Federation of Employers' Unions & Associations of the Slovak Republic (AZZZ)