Whether a company needs a statutory audit depends on size thresholds that differ sharply between Slovakia and Czechia in 2026. Slovakia keeps relatively low limits (4m € assets, 8m € turnover, 50 employees), while Czechia has raised its thresholds dramatically for periods starting in 2026.
What is a statutory audit and why does it matter?
A statutory audit is an independent examination of the financial statements by an auditor, ending in an audit opinion on whether the statements give a true and fair view of the company’s assets, liabilities, financial position and result. The auditor checks not only the figures but also whether the accounting complies with the law and whether the annual report is consistent with the statements.
For owners, banks and business partners, audited statements are a signal of reliability. Both Slovakia and Czechia therefore require an audit where the impact of potential errors on third parties is greatest.
What are the size thresholds in Slovakia?
Under Section 19 of the Slovak Accounting Act (No. 431/2002 Coll.), a company or cooperative must have its statements audited if, for two consecutive accounting periods, it exceeds at least two of three limits: gross assets above 4,000,000 €, net turnover above 8,000,000 €, or an average of more than 50 employees.
These limits also apply to 2026 periods and are separate from the entity-size categories (micro, small, large) that were raised in mid-2024. For related compliance context, see our guide on transfer pricing documentation in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
How has Czechia changed its rules for 2026?
An amendment to the Czech Accounting Act (No. 563/1991 Coll.) significantly narrowed the audit obligation for periods starting on 1 January 2026. The audit now applies only to medium and large entities — companies that exceed at least two of three limits: assets of 120 million CZK, net turnover of 240 million CZK, or 50 employees.
Compared with the earlier limits (40 million CZK in assets and 80 million CZK in turnover), this is a steep increase that released thousands of smaller firms from the audit duty. Small and micro entities no longer need an audit at all.
Where do Slovakia and Czechia differ most?
The headline difference is the level of the thresholds. Converted roughly, the Czech asset limit of 120 million CZK is several times higher than the Slovak 4 million €, so a mid-sized firm can be audited in Slovakia yet fall below the audit line in Czechia. A group operating in both countries may therefore face an audit on the Slovak side while its comparable Czech company does not.
Both systems share the two-of-three logic and the two-consecutive-periods test, so the mechanics are familiar; it is the numbers that diverge. If you are preparing a company for sale, audited statements often feature in the buyer’s checks — see our guide on due diligence before selling a company.
Who is audited regardless of size?
In both countries, certain entities are always audited without any size test. These include public-interest entities — banks, insurers and issuers of securities admitted to trading on a regulated market — and parent entities that prepare consolidated financial statements. Slovakia also requires an audit for entities reporting under IFRS.
For these entities, assets and turnover are irrelevant; the audit is mandatory by the nature of their activity. For all other companies, the size test decides.
What are the deadlines and penalties?
In Slovakia the statements must be audited within one year of the period end and filed in the register of financial statements; failure can trigger a penalty of up to 2% of total assets. In Czechia, audited statements with the auditor’s report are published in the collection of deeds of the commercial register, and non-compliance exposes the company to fines and register proceedings.
Beyond the penalties, there is a practical cost: banks and investors routinely expect audited statements from larger firms, so missing them complicates financing and deals on both sides of the border.
Not sure whether your company meets the audit thresholds in Slovakia or the Czech Republic, or how to prepare for an audit? We will review your statements and suggest the next steps.
FAQ
Does every limited company need an audit?
No. The legal form alone does not trigger an audit in either country; size does. In Slovakia a company is audited once it exceeds at least two of three limits (4m € assets, 8m € turnover, 50 employees) over two consecutive periods. In Czechia, from 2026 only medium and large entities are audited, using much higher limits of 120m CZK in assets and 240m CZK in turnover. Most small firms fall below these lines.
From when do the new Czech audit rules apply?
The higher Czech thresholds apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Earlier periods are still assessed against the previous, lower limits of 40 million CZK in assets and 80 million CZK in turnover. Companies close to the boundary should check which period their statements fall into, because that decides whether an audit is required.
Are part-time staff counted in the employee threshold?
Both countries use the average recalculated number of employees, expressed in full-time equivalents rather than headcount, so part-time roles and agreements are included on a pro-rata basis. However, the employee figure is only one of three criteria, and an audit obligation arises only when two of the three are met at once, so staff numbers alone are rarely decisive.