Recent news
SIBIZ Business Services Ltd. in Slovenia joins the association MSI Global Alliance
MSI Global Alliance welcomes accounting member in Slovenia.
SIBIZ Business Services Ltd. in Slovenia joins the association.
MSI Global Alliance (www.msiglobal.org), one of the world’s leading international associations of independent legal and accounting firms, is pleased to announce the addition of SIBIZ Business Services Ltd. (SIBIZ) in Slovenia as its newest accounting member.
Founded in 2012 and based in Ljubljana, SIBIZ provides comprehensive accounting and tax services, along with operational support, relocation, and immigration solutions for foreign individuals, businesses, and corporate clients entering the Slovenian market.
The firm provides a one-stop-shop solution for company registration and related procedures, as well as business consulting services that ensure compliance with local regulations while optimising financial performance.
Jan Poniž, managing partner at SIBIZ, comments, "We are truly honoured to join MSI Global Alliance, an esteemed association of independent legal and accounting firms. This partnership is an important step for SIBIZ, enabling us to provide even greater value to our clients by leveraging the extensive global reach and collective expertise of MSI members.
As Slovenia continues to attract foreign investment, we remain committed to providing bespoke, high-quality accounting, tax and business advisory services that meet the needs of both local and international clients. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring and look forward to contributing to the success of MSI in the CEE region and globally.”
Andrew Leck, MSI’s CEO, commented: “I am delighted to welcome SIBIZ to our alliance. They are an ambitious firm with a significant international client base and are a great fit for MSI. This appointment strengthens our presence in Central and Eastern Europe and enhances our ability to provide exceptional services to member firms and clients operating in the region."
micro-loans of up to EUR 25 000 available to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
The Slovenian Enterprise Fund is once again making micro-loans of up to EUR 25 000 available to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises at a favourable interest rate. Businesses will be able to access micro-credit quickly, easily, on favourable terms and without management and approval costs.
The Slovenian Enterprise Fund has published a public call for tenders P7-2 2024 - Microcredits 2024, which it is calling from SID Bank's Fund of Funds for small investments or working capital. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with at least one employee, established before 1 January 2023 in the Republic of Slovenia, will be eligible to apply for funding under the call for proposals “P7-2 2024 - Mikokrediti 2024”.
The funds will be used to finance a variety of costs, such as: the purchase of new equipment, patent rights, licences, materials and merchandise, services, staff salaries and other operating costs. Eligible costs do not include the purchase of road freight vehicles, the construction, purchase and renovation of commercial real estate or the construction of solar power plants. Eligible costs of a business process or project may be incurred up to a maximum of 6 months before the application is submitted and 18 months after the credit is granted.
Credit is available on favourable credit terms:
- lower collateral requirements (8 company bills)
- lower interest rate (37.5% 6-month EURIBOR + 0.8% fixed mark-up),
- the possibility to benefit from a moratorium of up to 6 months,
- repayment period 2 to 5 years
- up to 100 % of the eligible costs of the project, up to a maximum of EUR 25 000,
- there is no charge for the costs of granting and managing the credit.
The preparation process is easy. Applications are submitted electronically via the SPS ePortal. The call for proposals has two application periods:
- October 2024 until 14:00
- November 2024 until 14:00.
Under this call for proposals, a borrower may be granted a maximum of one micro-credit application of between EUR 5 000 and EUR 25 000. The call may also be closed early if there is a high demand for the funds offered.
This is the second call for companies seeking to obtain favourable financing for small investments or working capital. Under the P7 2024 call, launched in February this year, the SPS has already granted €10 million in soft loans to help 410 micro and small enterprises overcome liquidity problems.
For more information about the competition and how to apply, please contact us at: [email protected]
Affordable credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
P7K 2024 - Crisis Liquidity Facility: an opportunity for SMEs
The Slovenian Enterprise Fund has launched a new call for P7K 2024 - Crisis Liquidity Credit, which is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing liquidity challenges due to crisis situations such as economic downturns, global crises or other unpredictable events.
Purpose of the call
P7K 2024 is designed to make it easier for businesses to access the finance they need to get through periods of crisis. The key objective is to preserve the viability of companies, stabilise their business and enable them to recover more quickly from the crisis.
Conditions for registration
To be eligible to apply, companies must meet the following conditions:
- Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Slovenia.
- Liquidity problems: companies that have suffered a loss of revenue or liquidity problems due to the crisis.
- Credit rating: the company must have an adequate credit rating, which shows its ability to repay the loan.
- Other conditions: the company must be registered in the Business Register of Slovenia and must not be in bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings.
Key features of the credit
P7K 2024 brings more benefits for SMEs:
- Loan amount: companies can obtain a loan of between €10,000 and €100,000, which allows flexible adaptation to specific needs.
- Interest rate: the interest rate is fixed at 6-month EURIBOR + 0.35%, which represents very favourable conditions compared to market interest rates.
- Term: the loan is available with a repayment term of up to 5 years, giving companies enough time to stabilise their business and repay the loan.
- Moratorium: the possibility of a one-year moratorium on principal repayments allows companies to breathe easier in the first year after obtaining a loan.
- Collateral: the loan can be secured by 5 blank bills of exchange and a notarial deed.
Purpose of the funds
Companies can use the funds received for various purposes related to stabilising their business and improving their liquidity situation:
- financing working capital (e.g. inventories, materials, wages),
- covering the costs incurred as a result of the crisis,
- improving operational efficiency and restructuring the business.
Application procedure
The application process is quick and easy. Companies can apply via the Slovenian Enterprise Fund's web portal, where all the necessary documentation is available. Applications are open until the funds are used up, so it is recommended that companies do not delay their application.
Conclusion
The P7K 2024 call is an excellent opportunity for SMEs in need of financial support to cope with the crisis. With flexible conditions, favourable interest rates and a simple application process, P7K 2024 is a key instrument to ensure stability and sustain business in unpredictable times.
For more information and application details, please visit the official website of the Slovenian Enterprise Fund https://www.podjetniskisklad.si/p7k-2-2024-krizno-likvidnostni-kredit/
You can also contact our company for help and further information: [email protected]
Grants for the purchase of electric vehicles for legal entities in the Republic of Slovenia.
In the framework of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan, a public call for proposals was published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Slovenia on 30 August 2024, under which the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, as the lead authority and implementer of the measure, and Borzen, as the outsourced technical and administrative provider for the technical and administrative implementation of the procedure, are granting non-repayable financial incentives to legal entities for electric vehicles.
The purpose of the call is to support legal entities in the transition to zero-emission mobility by granting financial incentives for the purchase of zero CO2-emission electric vehicles for road transport.
SUBJECT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS
The subject of this call for proposals are non-repayable financial incentives for legal entities to invest in the purchase of new or used road transport vehicles falling into one of the following categories of road transport vehicles, for the following measures:
THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT IN RELATION TO THE OBJECT OF THE INVESTMENT
The amount of the grant is per application:
Purchase of a new electric vehicle of categories M1, N1, L7e, L6e, L5e, L4e, L3e, L2e and L1e-B with no CO2 emissions at the emission level, including the purchase of a battery or the lease of a battery for a period of at least two years from the date of purchase;
Purchase of a second-hand M1 or N1 electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions at the emission level, including the purchase of a battery or the lease of a battery for a period of at least two years from the date of purchase.
Amount of the non-repayable financial incentive (in EUR):
EUR 7,200.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the M1 emission category with a total purchase value of up to EUR 35,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 6,500.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the N1 emission category with a total purchase value of up to EUR 45,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 6,500.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the M1 emission category with a total purchase value of between EUR 35,000.01 (incl. VAT) and EUR 45,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 4,500.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the M1 or N1 emission category with a total purchase value of the vehicle of between EUR 45,000.01 (incl. VAT) and EUR 65,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 3,000.00 for the purchase of a second-hand electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the M1 or N1 emission category with a total purchase value of up to EUR 45,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 2,000.00 for the purchase of a second-hand electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the M1 or N1 emission category with a total purchase value of the vehicle of between EUR 45,000.01 (incl. VAT) and EUR 65,000.00 (incl. VAT)
EUR 1,500.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with zero CO2 emissions in the L7e emission category
EUR 1,000.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with zero CO2 emissions in the L6e emission category
EUR 750.00 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in emission category L3e or L4e or L5e
500, 00EUR for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the L2e emission category
300, 00EUR for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with no CO2 emissions in the L1e-B emission category
Under the rules, value added tax (VAT) is not an eligible cost.
Description of vehicle categories
Vehicle category:
M1 Passenger-carrying vehicles with a maximum of eight seats in addition to the driver's seat
N1 Vehicles for the transport of goods of a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 tonnes
L7e 'quadricycles', other than light quadricycles of category L6e, with an unladen mass not exceeding 400 kg (550 kg for goods vehicles), excluding the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles the maximum rated engine power of which does not exceed 15 kW
L6e 'light quadricycles' with an unladen mass of less than 350 kg, excluding the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, the maximum design speed of which does not exceed 45 km/h and the maximum continuous rated power of which does not exceed 4 kW in the case of electric motors
L5 'motor tricycles' (vehicles with three symmetrically mounted wheels) with a maximum design speed exceeding 45 km/h
L4e (three-wheel vehicles - with sidecar)
L3 (two-wheel vehicles): 'motorcycles' equipped with an engine, the maximum design speed of which exceeds 45 km/h
L2e (three-wheel vehicles): 'mopeds' (motorised bicycles) whose maximum design speed does not exceed 45 km/h and whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4 kW with an electric motor
L1e A light two-wheel motor-driven vehicle with two wheels and a motor-driven propulsion system, the maximum design speed of which is ≤ 45 km/h, the maximum continuous rated or net power of which is ≤ 4 kW, and the maximum mass of which, according to the manufacturer, is the technically permissible mass.
Subcategories:
L1e-A: (motor-driven bicycle) a bicycle designed for pedal use, equipped with an auxiliary power unit whose main purpose is to assist pedal propulsion, and whose power output of the auxiliary power unit is reduced at a vehicle speed ≤ 25 km/h and whose maximum rated continuous or net power is ≤ 1 kW. Three- or four-wheel motor-driven bicycles meeting the above additional criteria shall be classified as being technically equivalent to a two-wheel L1e-A vehicle;
L1e-B: (two-wheel moped) all other vehicles of category L1e which cannot be classified according to the criteria of vehicle L1e-A
Vehicles of category L1e-A are not subject to grant financial incentives!
All vehicles subject to investment must be equipped with batteries for propulsion that are not based on lead technology.
The cost of renting a battery for a two-year rental period is also considered an eligible investment cost.
AVAILABLE FUNDS
The indicative amount of funds available for the co-financing of investments under this call for proposals is EUR 3 750 000.
The non-repayable financial incentive will be granted if the total purchase value of each new or second-hand electric vehicle without CO2 emissions at the emission level, including the purchase value or the two-year battery lease, does not exceed EUR 65,000.00 The total purchase value takes into account the price inclusive of VAT and any discounts and is evidenced by the invoice attached to the application and the finance lease and/or battery lease contract (if any) for each individual vehicle subject to the investment.
CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A SUBSIDY
An applicant is eligible for a grant if the eligible costs or expenses are incurred during the period from 1 June 2024 inclusive to the date of publication of the closure of the call for proposals.
The vehicle which is the subject of the investment must have been purchased from 1 June 2024 onwards from a dealer who was registered for the sale of vehicles at the time of the sale and prior to the submission of the application.
If you buy a new car:
the first post-production registration must have been carried out in the Republic of Slovenia from 1 June 2024 inclusive and prior to the submission of the application;
the applicant must become the first owner of the vehicle after the first registration or, on the basis of a financial leasing contract, the first lessee of the vehicle which is the subject of the investment. The finance leasing contract must stipulate that the applicant will become the owner of the vehicle at the end of the finance leasing contract.
The invoice for the purchase of the vehicle which is the subject of the investment must be in the name of the applicant.
If you buy a used car:
the first registration of the vehicle after production must take place in a Member State of the European Union after 1 November 2021;
the vehicle must have been registered by the applicant in the Republic of Slovenia from 1 June 2024 onwards and before the application is submitted;
the applicant must become the owner of the vehicle after registration or, on the basis of a financial leasing contract, the user (lessee) of the vehicle which is the subject of the investment. The financial leasing contract must stipulate that the applicant will become the owner of the vehicle at the end of the financial leasing contract.
The invoice for the purchase of the vehicle which is the subject of the investment must be in the name of the applicant.
Vehicles acquired through operating leases or operating leases are not subject to investment.
In accordance with the requirements of the call for tenders, the vehicle must remain registered and owned or leased by the recipient of the grant for at least two (2) years after the first registration by the recipient of the grant (unless the applicant, who was the previous first user of the vehicle, becomes the owner of the vehicle after the termination of the financial leasing contract).
REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION
The application can be submitted electronically via the online application of the Centre for the Promotion of the Transition to Alternative Fuels in Transport from 10.00 on 2 September 2024 until the closing date of the call for applications, which will be published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Slovenia.
For more information on the conditions and how to apply for the grants, please contact [email protected]
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is likely to enter into force in May 2025.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson announced this week. This new security measure will require citizens from more than 60 countries outside the European Union to apply for entry and pay a €7 fee before entering the Schengen area.
What is ETIAS?
The ETIAS is a system designed to improve security and control at the external borders of the Schengen area. It will require nationals of more than 60 non-EU countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, to apply for a travel authorisation before entering 30 European countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, in addition to the EU Member States. It is important to note that Ireland is not included in this scheme as it has its own travel rules regime.
The authorisation issued by the ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the expiry of the validity of the passenger's passport, whichever comes first. Travellers will be able to submit their application online or via a mobile app, which will simplify the process considerably.
Application procedure
The ETIAS application process will be user-friendly and straightforward. Travellers will be asked to fill in a form giving their personal details, passport information, contact details, information about their occupation and answers to a few security questions relating to possible criminal records, stay in war zones, etc. The form should take no more than ten minutes to complete.
More than 95% of applications will be approved within minutes, but in some cases the approval process can take up to 72 hours. The €7 fee will be waived for all passengers under 18 and over 70 years of age, which will relieve certain groups of passengers.
Security measures and controls
In addition to the launch of ETIAS, European Commissioner Johansson announced on Monday the launch of the new Entry-Exit System (EES) for the Schengen area countries, which will be operational on 10 November. This system will require non-EU citizens to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images. The EES will allow closer monitoring of who enters the Schengen area and for how long.
According to the Commissioner, the new system will help reduce the risk of abuses such as overstays, fraudulent passports, terrorist activities and espionage. The new rules will help authorities to be better informed about who is coming to the EU and for what purpose.
What is EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third-countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person's name, type of the travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.
It will also record refusals of entry. EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).
EES will contribute to prevent irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens. The new system will also help bona fide third-country nationals to travel more easily while also identifying more efficiently over-stayers as well as cases of document and identity fraud. In addition to this, the system will enable to make a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for the traveller.
Further information and links
For more information on the ETIAS and other European Commission initiatives, please visit the official European Commission website. Key links include:
With these new measures, the EU will continue to strengthen security at its borders, while making travel procedures for third-country nationals simpler and more transparent.
Start of Slovenian language courses at survival level for foreigners.
Language schools across Slovenia are bustling hubs these days. The language institute Didaktum (Jezikovni inštitut Didaktum) is running a Slovenian language programme at survival level in 40 locations across Slovenia. The programme has been available to eligible persons since the entry into force of the 2023 amendment to the Foreigners Act of Republic of Slovenia, on the basis of which a decree providing assistance for the integration of foreigners who are not citizens of the European Union was adopted.
The institute’s director, Veronika Zajc, explained that Didaktum would offer Slovenian language courses at survival level in 40 locations across Slovenia, adding that "the first groups of participants started courses on 8 July, and we conduct Slovenian proficiency tests on a regular basis". Those interested may still join these groups. "All those who are eligible, and there are not so few of them, are invited to join the survival-level Slovenian language courses as soon as possible," she said.
Family members of foreigners who are not EU citizens and were issued a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification are eligible to attend a Slovenian language course at survival level. Third-country applicants for family reunification should not miss the important deadlines. Foreigners applying for family reunification must enclose with the application for an extension of reunification in relation to an adult family member a certificate of enrolment in a non-formal Slovenian language programme for adults or a certificate of enrolment in an officially recognised educational programme for adults providing officially recognised qualifications. This is possible from 1 May to 31 October 2024. After 1 November 2024, a residence permit for the purposes of family reunification will be extended only if the family member presents a certificate that they passed a Slovenian proficiency test at survival level.
The procedure of enrolment in a Slovenian language course at survival level is simple: a foreigner applies to an administrative unit for a certificate of eligibility to attend a non-formal programme for learning Slovenian language and take a Slovenian proficiency test at survival level or only the latter. The administrative unit issues a certificate of eligibility to attend a non-formal programme and/or a Slovenian proficiency test. Courses or tests are free of charge only upon submission of this certificate. The enrolment form for a language course is available on the webpage of Jezikovni inštitut Didaktum.
The duration of the Slovenian language course at survival level is 180 hours. However, should a participant require additional hours, they may be eligible for an additional 60 hours.
For more information and assistance please do not hesitate to contact us at SIBIZ d.o.o. : [email protected]
Public Agency SPIRIT Slovenia launches two calls for proposals - almost €52 million available for companies
On 12 July 2024, the Slovenian Public Agency SPIRIT Slovenia published two calls for proposals on its website: www.spiritslovenia.si, for the co-financing of individual company participation in international trade fairs in 2024-2028 and for energy efficiency (EE) and decarbonisation in industry. Almost €52 million will be available for companies under both calls.
The first is the call for co-financing individual company participation in international fairs 2024-2028, which is aimed at companies wishing to diversify their business into foreign markets and/or to expand their existing activities in foreign markets and/or to present their products/services to potential foreign partners. The indicative total amount of funds available is up to EUR 9,562,500, which is divided between the individual submission deadlines, cohesion regions and fair locations. The maximum amount of co-financing is up to EUR 18,043 and depends on the size of the rented stand at the selected fair. There will be several application deadlines, the first of which is 4 September 2024.
The second is the call for tenders on Energy Efficiency and Industrial Decarbonisation, which aims to promote investments in energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures in industry to achieve savings in energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to accelerate the green transition and increase resilience. Co-financing will be provided for the costs of investments in industrial decarbonisation, energy efficiency measures in industrial processes not linked to the operation of buildings, energy efficiency measures in buildings, and the promotion of renewable energy production, renewable hydrogen, biofuels and high-efficiency cogeneration. The indicative total amount of funding available is up to EUR 42 170 000, the deadline for applications is 15 October 2024.
