From 1. On April 2025, a new Building Act (Act No. 25/2025 Coll.) entered into force in Slovakia. This brings some major changes that you should be aware of if you are planning to build a house, garage or other smaller structures.
What is new in building a house?
According to the new law, a family house with no more than two storeys, no more than three flats and a built-up area of up to 300 m² is considered to be a simple building. This means that you no longer need separate planning and building permits for its construction, but a single building plan procedure will suffice. This procedure should be completed within 30 days of the application being submitted, with the entire administration to be carried out electronically via the new construction portal.
What applies to the construction of a garage or small buildings?
For the construction of a garage with a surface area of up to 50 m² and a height of up to 5 metres, which is not fixed to the ground and is located more than 2 metres from the property boundary, a simple notification to the building or municipal authority is sufficient. If the authority does not react within 30 days, the fiction of consent is triggered and you can start building.
Be careful though, if you are planning a garage with a solid foundation or closer than 2 metres from the property boundary, you will probably need planning permission.
What is new in building a house?
- Check that your building plan complies with the municipality’s or city’s zoning plan.
- Buildings in conservation areas or conservation zones may require special assessments and permits.
- Important note: From 1. April 2029, it will not be possible to retrospectively legalise buildings that have been constructed without a permit. Such illegal structures may be ordered to be removed.
The new Building Act brings simplification, but also stricter rules for some procedures. It is therefore important to be informed and to follow the current legislation closely.
If you are planning to build, we recommend early consultation with a specialist or directly with your local building authority to avoid unnecessary problems and fines.
