Slovakia: Amendment to archives and registries act aims to streamline document management

The Slovak government has approved a draft amendment to Act No. 395/2002 Coll. on archives and registries, aimed at simplifying document management obligations for businesses, public administrations, and other entities. The proposal, prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, is intended to reduce administrative burdens and is set to take effect on 15 October 2025.

Under the amendment, state bodies, municipalities, companies, schools, and other obligated entities will be allowed to choose whether to store registry records—such as received mail and official documents—in either paper or electronic form. The law introduces a mechanism for a one-time “transformation” of a document’s format, enabling a paper or electronic original to be replaced without requiring a formal disposal process. This change is expected to eliminate duplicate records and simplify document handling, while also supporting environmentally sustainable practices in office management.

The amendment also addresses the treatment of archival documents discovered without a known owner. Such documents will become state property, with the finder entitled to a reward of 10% of the document’s assessed value. The Ministry of the Interior’s Acquisition Commission will be responsible for determining the value of discovered archival materials.

Additional provisions in the amendment include a prohibition on transferring the management of archival documents to third parties, clarification of rules for authorizing electronic records in compliance with the eGovernment Act, and the introduction of a new process allowing for the early disposal of registry records under specific conditions.

The Ministry of the Interior expects the new legislation to facilitate more efficient document management across both the public and private sectors.

Source: Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic