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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 10:37 · 52 articles added
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Economy

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Economy

Bratislava's Real Estate Market Gains Momentum as New Housing Sales Rise

Bratislava's new housing market is showing signs of recovery with 3,922 apartments currently on offer and annual sales reaching two-thirds of the available inventory. The capital city's real estate sector is experiencing accelerated activity as developers and buyers return to the market after a period of slower transactions. Analysts are noting a cautious increase in property prices that mirrors broader inflation trends across Slovakia. This price growth pattern is attracting buyers who see opportunities in the current market conditions, contributing to increased sales volumes compared to previous periods. The development reflects broader economic conditions in Slovakia, where Bratislava serves as the country's financial and business center. The real estate market is considered a key indicator of economic health, with new construction activity and sales volumes providing insights into consumer confidence and investment trends in the capital region.

Aktuality
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Economy

Swedish Truck Manufacturer Volvo AB Reports Sharp Drop in Quarterly Revenue and Profit

Swedish truck manufacturer Volvo AB experienced a significant decline in both quarterly revenue and profit during the first three months of 2024. The company's total operating profit reached 990.77 million euros for the first quarter, representing a substantial decrease from the previous period. The decline reflects challenging market conditions facing the commercial vehicle industry, which has been grappling with reduced demand and economic uncertainties affecting transportation and logistics sectors globally.

SME
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Economy

Small Entrepreneurs Forced to Return COVID Aid Over Transaction Tax Compliance Issues

Small business owners across Slovakia are being forced to return government subsidies received during the COVID-19 pandemic due to new legislative changes and strict enforcement by labor offices. Despite using the financial aid in accordance with regulations at the time, entrepreneurs must now repay entire subsidies for failing to declare new business bank accounts required under updated rules. A beautician among those affected said the situation has forced her to close her business, describing the impact as devastating. The cases highlight how changes to Slovakia's transaction tax legislation and stricter administrative requirements are creating unexpected financial burdens for small entrepreneurs who originally received the aid legally during the pandemic economic crisis.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovak Travel Company BUBO Offers 50% Discount on Exotic Holidays

BUBO, Slovakia's leading exotic travel operator for 30 years, has launched an unprecedented promotional campaign offering discounts of up to 50% on over 7,000 holiday packages. The company is marketing trips to destinations like Mexico and Thailand at prices comparable to summer holidays in Croatia, with deposits as low as 226 euros. The promotional offer runs through the weekend, positioning exotic destinations as affordable alternatives to traditional European beach holidays for Slovak travelers.

Aktuality
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Economy

Hungarian Oligarch Close to Viktor Orbán Secures Business Operations in Slovakia

A previously obscure Slovak company called Torreol has experienced dramatic growth in revenues and profits, with backing from influential Slovak business figures who have now been joined by the CEO of Hungarian oil giant MOL. The MOL chief executive, who maintains close ties to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has established business interests in Slovakia through this partnership with some of the country's wealthiest entrepreneurs. The company's rapid financial transformation from a low-profile entity to a high-performing business venture reflects the expanding cross-border business networks between Slovakia's economic elite and Hungary's politically connected oligarchs.

Aktuality
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Economy

Rail Expert Urges Slovaks to Reconsider Train Travel as Alternative to High Fuel Costs

A Slovak transport expert is encouraging citizens to give railways another chance as fuel prices continue to strain household budgets. Rastislav Farkaš, a railway transport specialist, argues that Slovakia's rail network has undergone significant improvements that many passengers may not have noticed. According to Farkaš, train delays have decreased substantially and several problematic rail sections that previously slowed travel have been repaired. He suggests that the current reality of Slovak rail transport may be better than public perception indicates, making trains a viable alternative to expensive car travel during the ongoing fuel price crisis.

Dennik N
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Economy

Aviation Industry Faces Flight Cancellations and Rising Costs Due to High Fuel Prices

Thousands of flights are being cancelled as airlines struggle with mounting operational costs, with expensive fuel representing just the tip of the iceberg according to industry analysis. Aviation expert Daniel Ferjanček explains that high fuel prices cannot be fully passed on to passengers through ticket pricing, creating pressure on airline operations. The situation indicates that ticket prices will inevitably increase as airlines attempt to balance rising operational expenses with market demand, though the full impact of fuel costs cannot be directly transferred to consumers.

SME
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Economy

S&P 500 Stock Index Reaches New Record High Despite Middle East Tensions

The S&P 500 stock index achieved a new all-time high as American equity markets continued their upward trajectory. Despite the milestone, ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to constrain broader stock growth in the United States, creating headwinds for investors amid geopolitical uncertainty.

SME
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Economy

Polish Fashion Retailer Plans Slovak Market Entry as Physical Stores Remain Key to Success

Another major Polish clothing retailer is preparing to enter the Slovak market, intensifying competition for customers in the country's fashion sector. The expansion reflects a broader trend where companies are finding that online sales alone are insufficient for sustained growth. Physical stores in shopping centers, where large numbers of consumers gather, continue to provide the stability and customer reach that many retailers require to succeed in the market.

Aktuality
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Economy

Half of New Apartments in Bratislava Sold to Property Investors

Every second apartment in newly constructed buildings in Bratislava is being purchased by property investors rather than people buying homes to live in. The typical real estate investor is between 35 and 55 years old. This trend highlights the significant role of investment purchasing in Bratislava's housing market, where investors are acquiring substantial portions of new residential developments. The pattern suggests that much of the capital's new housing stock is being directed toward rental or speculative investment rather than owner-occupied housing, potentially affecting housing availability and affordability for residents seeking to purchase homes for personal use.

SME
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Economy

Major Office Development Projects Concentrate in Bratislava

Slovakia's largest office construction projects are being concentrated in the capital city of Bratislava, according to new development data. The construction activity reflects the continued dominance of the capital as the country's primary business and commercial hub, where international companies and major Slovak firms establish their headquarters and regional operations.

SME
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Economy

Food Price Surge Recalls 2022 Crisis as Southeast Asia Faces Major Challenges

Global food prices are experiencing significant increases, raising concerns about a return to the crisis conditions of 2022 when food costs surged by nearly 30 percent. Southeast Asia is facing the most severe challenges from the current price volatility. The 2022 food price crisis was triggered by multiple factors including the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and energy costs, which combined to create one of the worst food inflation periods in recent decades. The current situation suggests that similar pressures may be building again, with developing regions particularly vulnerable to food security risks.

SME
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Economy

Slovak Companies Lose Thousands to New 'SMS Pumping' Fraud Scheme

Slovak companies have lost thousands of euros to a new type of fraud called "SMS Pumping," according to warnings issued by the National Security Bureau (NBÚ), Slovakia's cybersecurity agency. The scheme targets businesses through fraudulent SMS-related activities that drain company funds. Recovery of stolen funds proves extremely difficult for affected companies, as the money is typically transferred to foreign bank accounts and disguised as legitimate transactions. The NBÚ's warning highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud targeting Slovak businesses and the challenges companies face in protecting themselves from emerging digital threats.

Aktuality
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Economy

Eurozone Private Sector Activity Drops in April Due to Middle East Conflict

Private sector activity in the eurozone declined in April as the ongoing war in the Middle East impacted economic performance across the currency bloc. The services sector experienced its steepest decline in more than five years during the month. The eurozone, which consists of 20 European Union countries that use the euro as their common currency, saw businesses across multiple sectors affected by the geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict.

SME
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Economy

Metro Brings Spanish Summer Flavors to Slovak Gastronomy

German retail chain Metro is introducing Spanish-inspired culinary offerings to the Slovak market as part of its summer promotion. The company is positioning Spanish cuisine as a key trend for the summer season, bringing Mediterranean flavors and cooking styles to Slovak restaurants and food service establishments. Metro operates wholesale stores in Slovakia that primarily serve restaurants, hotels, and other food service businesses, making it a significant influence on local dining trends.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Lidl Partnership Transforms Slovak Regional Firms into International Producers

German retail giant Lidl has evolved from a simple customer to a strategic partner for numerous Slovak companies, helping transform regional businesses into international producers. The partnership provides domestic firms with guaranteed stable sales channels, support for home economy development, and access to foreign markets. Through this collaboration, Slovak companies can expand their operations, invest in innovation, and export Slovak-made products to international markets, demonstrating how retail partnerships can drive economic growth and competitiveness for local businesses.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovakia allocates three million euros to support livestock slaughterhouses

The Slovak Ministry of Agriculture will provide three million euros in support to slaughterhouses processing pigs and cattle. The government approved a flat rate subsidy of 20 euros per slaughtered animal to help the meat processing sector plan further development. Both large and smaller slaughterhouses will be eligible for the funding, which aims to strengthen the domestic meat industry's capacity and competitiveness.

SMEAktuality
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Economy

Family Business Conference in Košice Addresses Succession Planning and Intellectual Property Protection

A specialized conference for family businesses took place near Košice on April 16-17, 2026, focusing on succession planning and intellectual property protection. The event, titled "The Second Generation Takes the Baton," was held at the Zlatý Hýľ hotel and brought together family business owners to discuss practical approaches to generational transitions within family companies. Participants explored strategies for protecting intellectual property assets including trademarks, know-how, and copyrights as essential components of preserving family business value across generations.

Aktuality
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Economy

European new car sales surge in March driven by electric vehicle demand

New car sales across Europe experienced significant growth in March, marking a notable recovery in the automotive sector. The increase was primarily driven by strong consumer demand for electric vehicles, which continued to gain market share as buyers increasingly shifted toward environmentally friendly transportation options. The March figures reflect broader trends in the European automotive market, where electric mobility has become a key driver of sales growth amid ongoing transitions in consumer preferences and regulatory support for cleaner transportation technologies.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia's Top Railway Expert Leaves for Czech Republic Transport Ministry

Rastislav Farkaš, one of Slovakia's leading railway experts, is leaving his position at the Value for Money Unit to join the Czech Republic's transport ministry. Farkaš received an offer from new Czech Transport Minister Bednárik to move to Prague. Despite acknowledging improvements in Slovak railway services, Farkaš noted that the country still operates some antiquated trains dating back to the 19th century, highlighting ongoing modernization challenges in Slovakia's rail infrastructure.

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