Slovakia adopts new Civil Code: inheritance, leases and marital property to change

The Slovak Parliament approved on 1 October a new Civil Code to replace legislation that has largely been in force since 1964. The new edition covers a broad range of private-law relations – from contracts and leases to inheritance and property relations between spouses. The Code is due to enter into force on 1 July 2027.

One of the key changes will be the consolidation of rules currently split between civil and commercial legislation. In particular, a single code is to govern common contracts such as sale and work performances. The Ministry of Justice explains the reform as necessary to remove duplication and situations where parties have to determine which law applies to a particular contract.

The changes also affect leases. The reform provides for moving a substantial part of lease regulation directly into the new code. In particular, the regulation of residential and business premises leases, currently partly contained in separate laws, will be restructured.

Inheritance law will also change substantially. People will have more options to decide what happens to their property after death. Inheritance contracts will be introduced, along with instruments such as a testamentary gift, instructions and an estate administrator. At the same time, rules on wills, disinheritance and statutory shares for certain heirs will change.

In family law, the concept of indivisible joint ownership of spouses is to be replaced with the “matrimonial property”. It will cover not only things and other assets acquired during marriage, but also debts specified by law. Future spouses or already married couples will also be able to regulate their property relations by agreement.

Separately, the code introduces a single general limitation period of three years, details the status of legal persons, rules of representation and compensation of damage. During the vote, Parliament also supported two amendments by the opposition Christian Democratic Movement concerning, among other things, the right of sub‑pledge and private foundations.

The reform may be of practical importance for Ukrainians living in Slovakia primarily when entering into lease agreements, buying property, inheriting, or running a business. Until the new code takes effect, the current rules continue to apply.

Source materials: Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic, TASR / Teraz.sk