[Slovakia] Whistleblowing in Slovakia

Whistleblowing is the act of an individual, often an employee, reporting information about suspected wrongdoing by an organization, such as illegal activities, fraud or threats to health and safety, to the appropriate authority. 

Whistleblowing in Slovakia has undergone significant reform in recent years, especially after the implementation of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive. The key legislative framework is Act No. 54/2019 Coll., which was strengthened in 2023 to provide broader protection to individuals in Slovakia who report illegal or unethical behavior in both the public and private sectors.

According to the updated law, employees, contractors, job applicants and even former employees can report illegal actions in Slovakia anonymously or through internal channels. Employers with 50 or more employees, employers providing financial or environmental services, as well as public institutions with more than 5 employees, are required to establish an internal reporting system and designate a responsible person to ensure confidentiality. However, in practice, employees often remain distrustful about whether their anonymity will actually be protected.

Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited and violations can be sanctioned by a fine of up to €200,000. The Whistleblower Protection Office, established in 2021, receives external reports, monitors compliance and can grant an individual the status of a protected whistleblower, which brings additional procedural guarantees, for example in labor disputes. Whistleblowers can also contact other authorities, such as the police or the prosecutor’s office, and in the event of retaliation, they have the opportunity to seek protection in court (e.g. to challenge the invalidity of a dismissal).

Despite a strong legal basis, however, whistleblowing in Slovakia still faces cultural and institutional challenges. Public trust in whistleblower protection remains low, awareness of whistleblower rights and mechanisms is insufficient, and the societal perception of whistleblowers is often negative – associated with the term “snitching”. In addition, some recent policy proposals, including discussions on the possible weakening or abolition of the Whistleblower Protection Office, risk undermining existing protections.

Civil society organisations such as the Stop Corruption Foundation and Transparency International Slovakia continue to play a key role in protecting whistleblowers and promoting accountability. As Slovakia continues to develop, it will be crucial to ensure effective implementation of the law, strengthening public trust and consistent protection of whistleblowers, which are essential prerequisites for a successful fight against corruption and strengthening democratic principles.