TITLE: Slovakia Amends Collective Investment Law to Strengthen Fund Management and Liquidity Rules
BODY:
On 13 May 2026, the Slovak Gazette published Law 85/2026 Z.z., which amends Law 203/2011 Z.z. on collective investment and modifies related legislation. The National Council of the Slovak Republic approved the amendment on 28 April 2026.
The amendment introduces significant changes to Slovakia's collective investment framework, effective from 1 June 2026. Key modifications include enhanced liquidity management tools for open-ended funds, new provisions governing alternative investment fund (AIF) managers providing credit facilities, and strengthened reporting requirements for fund managers.
The law establishes liquidity management instruments including suspension of subscriptions and redemptions, redemption limitations, extended notice periods, redemption fees, swing pricing, dual pricing, anti-dilution fees, in-kind redemptions, and segregation of illiquid assets. For standard funds, managers must select at least two appropriate liquidity management tools. Alternative investment funds providing credit must comply with new leverage limits (175 percent for open-ended funds, 300 percent for closed-ended funds) and exposure concentration requirements.
The amendment introduces provisions requiring independent property valuers for real estate funds and establishes detailed procedures for loan provision by alternative investment funds, including credit risk assessment and portfolio management requirements. Managers must implement robust policies for loan underwriting and ongoing monitoring.
Additional provisions address depositary arrangements, including conditions for appointing depositaries from other member states, enhanced reporting obligations to the National Bank of Slovakia (Národná banka Slovenska), and expanded information requirements for investors regarding fund composition, liquidity management, and fee structures.
Transitional provisions establish implementation deadlines, with most requirements effective 1 June 2026, certain provisions from 25 June 2026, and specific credit-related requirements from 16 April 2027.