Open a Liaison Office in Slovenia (Representative Office)

If you decided to open a liaison/representative office in Slovenia, the procedure is quite simple given the limitations of this entity. Our specialists in company formation in Slovenia are ready to give you all information on the characteristics of this type of entity and to help you gather the documentation needed for registration with the local authorities.

Quick Facts
Applicable legislation	Slovenian Company Law
Status	A Slovenian representative office does not have legal status.
Uses of a liaison office	– market testing; – marketing and promotion activities; – acting as a contact point for local clients and associates.
Restrictions of a representative office (if any)	Yes, a liaison office is not allowed to engage in income-generating activities.
Minimum share capital (YES/NO)	No
Local representative required (YES/NO)	Yes, a liaison office must have a Slovenian representative agent.
Documents to be filed by parent company	– copies of the Certificate of Registration; – identification documents of the local agent; – proof of a local address.
Local address requirement (YES/NO)	Yes, a local address is required when opening a liaison office in Slovenia.
Authority to be enrolled with	Companies Register
Liability of the parent company	The foreign business is liable for the representative office’s actions and operations.
Taxation of a liaison office in Slovenia	Liaison offices are not subject to Slovenian taxes.
Possibility of hiring local staff (YES/NO)	Yes, it is allowed for a Slovenian representative office to hire local personnel.
Travel requirements for setting up a representative office (YES/NO)	No, the local agent can handle the procedure.
Advantages of a liaison office	– easy to register based on a few documents; – it can be used to test the Slovenian market before extending any operations; – it does not incur high expenses.
Support in opening a representative office	Yes, you can rely on us for representation in setting up a liaison office in Slovenia.

Who can set up a liaison office in Slovenia?

The Slovenian representative office is a solution for foreign companies only.

Is it possible to register a representative office in Slovenia remotely?

Yes, with the help of our local consultants.

What are the steps to open a representative office in Slovenia?

The procedure for creating a Slovenian liaison office implies the following steps:

locating a suitable space for the representative office;
appointing a local representative;
gathering the necessary documents and filing them with the Trade Register;
obtaining an employer number.

Compared to starting a company in Slovenia, the process of opening a liaison office is much simpler and requires a lot less documentation.

Here is also an infographic on this topic:

What are the main features of the Slovenian representative office?

The following:

it is not a distinct business entity from the parent company; therefore, it has no liabilities;
it cannot engage in commercial activities or sign contracts on behalf of the parent company;
it is not subject to taxation in Slovenia; however, there are certain accounting requirements the parent company must comply with.

This business form is not a legal entity per se, which is why it is not suitable for commercial activities. Through it, foreign companies can get a better picture of the Slovenian market, which is crucial when deciding to set up a corporate structure here.

What are the activities I can complete if I open a liaison office in Slovenia?

Activities like:

promotion of the parent company on the Slovenian market;
market and competition research;
participating in events, fairs, exhibitions;
acting as a contact point between the foreign company and Slovenian clients or partners.

What documents do I need to draft to open a representative office in Slovenia?

the parent company’s statutory documents;
an extract from the foreign Trade Register indicating the registration of the parent company in its home country;
the details of the parent company’s director;
the foreign enterprise’s financial report for the past year.

Must I register the liaison office for taxation in Slovenia?

Yes, it must register with the tax authorities for compliance purposes. It can also obtain a VAT number under certain circumstances. In the latter case, we offer VAT registration services for EUR 200.

How long does it take to open a liaison office in Slovenia?

Approximately one month.

What happens if I decide to expand my operations after the success of the Slovenian liaison office?

You must close the representative office and open a company in Slovenia. It can take the form of a branch office or subsidiary.

Here is also a video on this type of entity:

Are there any benefits in opening a liaison office in Slovenia?

Yes, there are several benefits for foreign businesses interested in opening liaison offices in Slovenia, including:

the straightforward establishment process that can be completed in a matter of days;
the possibility to hire staff, regardless of whether they are Slovenian citizens or have been transferred from the parent company’s home country;
the liaison office may, under certain situations, register for VAT and get VAT refunds;

Also, understanding how the Slovenian market works and what its characteristics are is quite valuable for foreign companies that can later decide on their expansion plans.

Do I need to pay taxes for my representative office in Slovenia?

No, you will not be required to pay taxes here either. It can be registered for taxes and VAT, which will allow it to get tax refunds.

In the event that a foreign business chooses to enter the Slovenian market, the liaison office may also be granted the status of a permanent establishment.

In case you need reliable legal services when extending your business in this country, we recommend our partner law office in Slovenia, which can provide local legal assistance to foreign investors.

Don’t hesitate to contact our experts in company registration in Slovenia to clarify any questions you might have on setting up a liaison office in this country.