On September 15, 2026, the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted an amendment to Act No. 25/2025 Coll., the Building Act and on Amendments to and Supplementation of Certain Acts, as amended (the “Amendment”). Most of the changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.
The Amendment reflects experience gained from applying the new building legislation and simplifies certain procedures while clarifying the rules governing the permitting and use of buildings.
The most significant changes introduced by the Amendment include:
- Simplified project documentation – For minor structures that are not buildings, building alterations that do not affect load-bearing structures, and external alterations, a simplified graphic representation or the manufacturer’s installation documentation will suffice;
- Revision of the notification regime – The Amendment redefines the structures and construction works for which notification to the building authority will generally suffice. These include certain renewable energy generation installations, depending on their capacity and the method of installation, as well as outdoor electric vehicle charging stations;
- Extension of the deadline for regularizing the legal status of older unauthorized structures – For structures built by March 31, 2025 that fall under the transitional regime, the deadline for submitting an application to regularize their legal status will be extended from March 31, 2029 to December 31, 2040;
- Introduction of the possibility of retrospectively authorizing certain more recent unauthorized construction works – Subject to the statutory conditions, the Amendment will allow certain construction works carried out between April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026 to be authorized retrospectively. These will include, in particular, alterations to completed simple structures and related ancillary structures or alterations;
- Phased occupancy approval – Use of a part of a building may be approved provided the part is suitable for independent and safe use and safe pedestrian and vehicular access to it is ensured;
- No right of appeal against occupancy certificates – Occupancy certificates will no longer be subject to appeal.
