e-Invoicing in Slovakia: Timeline, Guidelines, Process, and Steps for Implementation

Slovakia will have mandatory e-invoicing, with complete implementation by January 2027. Although e-invoicing in Slovakia for Business-to-Government (B2G) was adopted in 2022, the government is in the process of making the system functional for Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions as well. The process is being driven by the Ministry of Finance, taking into consideration the European Directive 2014/55/EU and the Slovakian digital tax policy. 

Once implemented, companies will be obligated to create, send, and process invoices electronically on the Information System for Electronic Invoicing (IS EFA). The reform is designed to boost tax compliance, prevent fraud, and make businesses more efficient. This guide provides an overview of the e-invoicing implementation in Slovakia, including important deadlines, regulatory needs, and step-by-step processes that companies must follow in order to prepare ahead of time.

What is e-Invoicing in Slovakia?

E-invoices in Slovakia are used for transactions with public bodies, where obligatory e-invoicing applies when invoices are higher than EUR 5,000. Invoices have to be sent via the Information System for Electronic Invoicing (IS EFA) either by API (in the case of big and medium-sized companies) or manually via the EFA user application (in the case of small VAT-registered companies). Foreign suppliers need to send invoices to a dedicated government email account for manual processing by the Ministry of Finance. Also, all the e-invoices must be in XML format according to the UBL 2.1 standard to ensure compliance with the structured data exchange requirements.

e-Invoice Implementation Timeline

Slovakia is progressing towards mandatory e-invoicing, with phased rollouts expected in the coming years.

e-Invoicing Process in Slovakia

Government vendors have to follow the e-invoices in Slovakia process in order to send and receive an electronic invoice. B2B and B2C Slovakia e-invoicing is optional.

1. Registration on IS EFA: Register on the IS EFA website in order to use e-invoicing services. Taxpayers should also be registered on the eKasa platform.
2. Design the Invoice: Create an invoice through internal software or on IS EFA directly, making sure all details needed are included.
3. Convert into XML Form: The invoice should be in XML form, UBL 2.1 or CII D16B syntax.
4. Submit to the Financial Directorate: Large corporations can integrate their ERP with IS EFA's open API, whereas small corporations upload manually through the EFA user application. Foreign suppliers should submit invoices to "foreign-invoice@einvoice@mfsr.sk."
5. Obtain Confirmation: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will issue an approval or rejection confirmation of the invoice via email.
6. View Public Invoices: Since January 2022, all public invoices have been accessible on IS EFA, although usage is not required.

e-Invoicing Compliance Guidelines

Companies are required to comply with Slovakia's e-invoice guidelines to conduct seamless transactions and prevent fines.

• Compulsory for Public Authorities: Public authorities are required to accept e-invoices, but B2B and B2C transactions are voluntary.
• Penalty for Non-Compliance: EUR 30 to 3,000 fees for non-monetary offenses, higher fees for monetary crimes such as underreporting of transactions.
• Compulsory Invoice Format: XML format invoices are required, which must be UBL 2.1 compliant.
• Archiving Requirements: Invoices are to be preserved for a minimum of 10 years.
• Ensuring Integrity & Authenticity: A Qualified Electronic Signature or a Qualified Electronic Seal ensures invoice integrity and authenticity.

Who Needs to Comply with e-Invoicing in Slovakia?

E-invoicing in Slovakia is currently mandatory only for public sector transactions, with B2B adoption remaining voluntary. Here’s who needs to comply:

• Public Authorities: All Slovak public sector bodies should be capable of receiving e-invoices.
• Suppliers to Public Sector (B2G): All VAT-registered businesses providing goods or services to Slovak government entities must issue e-invoices via the designated government system or email.
• B2B Companies: E-invoicing is voluntary but recommended for private sector transactions. 

Benefits of e-Invoicing in Slovakia

Here are the multiple benefits of Slovakia e-invoicing: 

1. Seamless Compliance: Aligns with Slovak regulations, reducing administrative burden and audit risks.
2. Real-Time Tracking: Enables businesses to monitor invoice status and payments instantly.
3. Eco-Friendly Solution: Reduces paper usage, supporting sustainability and green business initiatives.
4. Lower Operational Costs: Saves money by minimizing manual processing, postage, and storage expenses.
5. Faster Tax Reconciliation: Simplifies tax reporting and ensures accurate VAT calculations.

How can ClearTax help a business with e-Invoicing in Slovakia?

ClearTax, a trusted e-invoicing solutions provider, facilitates effortless compliance with the e-invoicing rules of Slovakia through:

• Effortless Integration with ERP & POS: Automatically creates and sends invoices in XML format through the IS EFA system.
• Real-Time Compliance Check: Validates invoices according to the Slovak Ministry of Finance rules and VAT rules.
• Cloud-Based e-Invoicing Platform: Facilitates effortless tracking, reconciliation, and secure storage of invoices for 10 years.
• Automated Compliance & Reporting Alerts: Prevents errors, avoids missed deadlines, and reduces the risk of non-compliance.

Conclusion

Slovakia e-invoicing has so far been obligatory for public authority transactions, and B2B and B2C implementation is optional. Companies are required to save & transfer invoices in XML format, adhere to IS EFA submission requirements, and retain the records for 10 years to stay within regulations. Non-compliance can result in fines ranging from EUR 30 to 3,000 for companies.

ClearTax makes compliance easy by automating e-invoice creation, validation, and reporting and allowing hassle-free integration with your current ERP systems.