Slovakia has become a central hub for VAT and customs fraud in the European Union, with up to a third of all cases investigated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) linked to the country, resulting in estimated damages of €900 million. Opposition leaders warn that years of mismanagement, flawed policies, and legal loopholes have allowed organized fraud to thrive. Marián Viskupič, deputy chairman of the SaS party, said, “Robert Fico is turning the country into a laundry for European money,” while Michal Šimečka of Progressive Slovakia criticized the complex tax system and new taxes, stating, “There are too many exemptions, the system is complicated, and there are new foolish taxes like the transaction tax… This also hinders our economic growth.” Critics argue that the country has become a transit point for laundered European money, with financial administration failures costing the national budget hundreds of millions of euros annually.
In response, the Slovak Financial Administration (FS) has intensified cooperation with EPPO and introduced systemic reforms to combat tax crime. FS President Jozef Kiss met Chief European Prosecutor Laura Kövesi in Bratislava to discuss strengthening investigative capacities at the Criminal Office of the Financial Administration (KÚFS) and centralizing tax crime investigations under FS. “The goal of the Financial Administration and MF SR is to make the fight against tax fraud more effective and better protect the financial interests of Slovakia and the European Union,” Kiss explained. FS has also implemented action plans detailing specific measures, deadlines, and implementation procedures, including personal liability for individuals for corporate misconduct and tighter cash transaction limits. FS Communications Director Lucia Verchovodková stressed that media reports on “current” tax leaks are misleading, as many cases date back years and involve international organized fraud. Justice Minister Boris Susko reaffirmed the government’s commitment to systematic anti-fraud efforts, emphasizing ongoing coordination with European institutions and legislative reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of Slovakia’s response to tax crime.
Source: TASR
