Slovakia raises fines for offenses, introduces mandatory community work

An amendment to Slovakia's Act on Misdemeanours became effective on 15 July 2026, substantially increasing monetary penalties for a range of infractions. The Ministry of Interior noted that many fines had not been adjusted for inflation for years, prompting the reform.

The new regulations lift fines for selected offences by up to 200 % or more, with maximum penalties reaching €1,500 for violations such as unauthorized business activity, public‑space pollution, or bodily injury through negligence. Examples of offences subject to higher fines include disturbing night peace, illegal entrepreneurship, and certain extremist‑related acts, where penalties may double or triple.

A novel non‑monetary sanction – “smaller municipal work” – is also introduced. Courts may order offenders to perform 20‑150 hours of unpaid community service (10‑75 hours for juveniles) within their municipality, to be completed within one year. The work is intended for cases where a fine is not collectible or insufficient as a deterrent. If the offender refuses or fails to complete the service, the sanction can be converted into a monetary fine.