Major Changes to the Commercial Register: Selected Corporate Documents May Now Be Authorised by Attorneys-at-Law
Establishing a company or planning a corporate change? We can assist you with the preparation and authorisation of documentation, as well as the related registration process.
Dear Clients,
On 17 August 2026, a substantial part of the new Act No. 29/2026 Coll. on the Commercial Register will enter into force, introducing significant changes affecting the incorporation of companies, transfers of ownership interests and the implementation of various corporate changes.
One of the key legislative changes is the introduction of stricter requirements regarding the form of selected corporate documents. For several legal acts, documents with officially certified signatures will no longer be sufficient.
At the same time, the new legislation provides businesses with an important alternative – the legally required form of selected documents may be ensured not only through a notarial deed, but also through authorisation by an attorney-at-law.
Kreston Slovakia Legal can support clients throughout the entire process – from the legal assessment of the planned transaction and preparation of corporate documentation, through its authorisation by an attorney-at-law, to the electronic filing of the application and representation in the registration proceedings.
If you are planning to incorporate a new company, transfer a business interest or implement another significant corporate change, we recommend assessing in advance what form of documentation will be required under the new legislation in your specific case.
Below, we provide an overview of the key changes that should not be overlooked.
Stricter Requirements for the Form of Corporate Documents
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a qualified form requirement for selected corporate documents. In cases specified by law, a standard written form or documents bearing officially certified signatures will no longer be sufficient.
A notarial deed or documentation authorised by an attorney-at-law will be required in particular for:
- incorporation of a company;
- transfer of a business interest in a limited liability company;
- selected decisions of a sole shareholder of a single-member company;
- other corporate acts where the Commercial Code expressly permits authorisation by an attorney-at-law.
For selected resolutions of the general meeting of a multi-member limited liability company, the course of the general meeting will need to be recorded in the form of a notarial deed. This will apply primarily to decisions concerning:
- determining a voting ratio of shareholders different from the ratio prescribed by law;
- changes in the ratio of business interests in connection with changes to the registered capital;
- appointment or removal of managing directors.
In the case of a single-member company, the relevant decision of the sole shareholder may be executed either in the form of a notarial deed or as a document authorised by an attorney-at-law.
The stricter formal requirements aim to strengthen legal certainty, increase the reliability of registered information and improve the quality of documents submitted to the Commercial Register. For businesses, however, this means that the required form of documentation should be assessed before carrying out the intended corporate action.
How We Can Support You
In connection with the incorporation of a company or implementation of a corporate change, Kreston Slovakia Legal can provide support throughout the process, including:
- legal assessment of the proposed transaction or corporate action;
- recommendation of an appropriate legal and procedural approach;
- preparation of incorporation documents, agreements and other corporate documentation;
- authorisation of documentation by an attorney-at-law where permitted by law;
- preparation of the registration application and all required supporting documents;
- electronic filing of the application;
- representation in registration proceedings and communication with the registration court or registrar.
This approach allows clients to avoid coordinating the preparation of documentation, ensuring compliance with legally required formalities and the subsequent registration process separately. We can support the entire process as part of our legal services.
The New Act Also Introduces Simplified Registration Procedures
The new legislation does not only introduce stricter requirements. It also aims to streamline registration proceedings and remove several administrative obstacles that businesses currently encounter in practice.
Key changes include, in particular:
- full digitalisation of registration applications and expanded electronic communication;
- enhanced interconnection of the Commercial Register with other public administration information systems;
- automatic transfer of selected data without the need for repeated submission;
- the possibility to reserve a company name prior to incorporation for a maximum period of 60 days, subject to a court fee of EUR 50;
- a simplified incorporation process for selected free trades;
- more precise rules governing representation in registration proceedings;
- an expanded scope of registration acts that may be performed by notaries acting as registrars.
These measures are intended to create a more modern, efficient and reliable Commercial Register, with stronger links to other public administration information systems.
Planning a Company Incorporation or Corporate Change?
The new Commercial Register Act introduces significant changes that may affect the incorporation of companies, transfers of business interests, preparation of corporate documentation and implementation of changes registered in the Commercial Register.
We can assist you in assessing the documentation requirements applicable to your specific situation, preparing the necessary documents and, where permitted by law, arranging their authorisation by an attorney-at-law.
We can also prepare and file the registration application on your behalf and represent you throughout the registration proceedings.
Corporate documentation, authorisation by an attorney-at-law and registration proceedings – supported through a single point of contact.
For further information, please contact us at legal@krestonslovakia.com or by phone at +421 2 3260 0620.
We would be pleased to discuss your specific situation and recommend an approach tailored to your planned corporate changes and requirements.
Yours sincerely,
Kreston Slovakia Legal Team