Slovakia records over €2 million in QR payments in first month

In the first month of the state‑run QR payment system, Slovak merchants processed more than €2 million across 61,000 transactions in over 9,000 businesses. The busiest day, 29 May, saw 3,200 payments totalling €141,000.

The QR method, supported by eight major banks (Tatra banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, ČSOB, VÚB, Prima banka, 365 bank, Poštová banka and Fio banka), allows sellers to avoid the transactional tax that applies to traditional cashless payments. This tax exemption provides a direct cost saving for firms, especially small retailers that previously needed to invest in payment terminals and pay associated fees.

The surge follows a law effective 1 May 2026 that obliges merchants to offer at least one cash‑less option for purchases over €1, with QR codes being the simplest and cheapest way to comply. The rapid adoption suggests QR payments could become a regular part of the Slovak payment mix, potentially reshaping how small businesses handle electronic transactions.