Slovakia approves new Civil Code to replace 1964 legislation

The National Council of the Slovak Republic has approved a new Civil Code, which will replace the existing code from 1964. The new legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2027, providing a transition period for citizens to familiarize themselves with the changes.

This reform represents a significant overhaul of private law, addressing systemic deficiencies in the outdated socialist-era code. Key changes include new regulations regarding inheritance, contract law, and the joint property of spouses. In inheritance matters, the law introduces a “heritage contract” (dedičská zmluva) and the concept of a legacy (odkaz), which can take precedence over a will.

The new code also modifies neighborly relations. For instance, fallen fruit on a neighbor's land will now belong to that neighbor. Additionally, neighbors are no longer permitted to prune overhanging branches without first requesting the tree owner to do so within a reasonable timeframe.

The legislation is divided into seven parts, covering general institutes, the status of natural persons, legal entities, family law, ownership, contracts, and inheritance.