The Central Bank of Slovenia has published results from its Survey on Access to Finance of Enterprises showing that firms continued to report favourable access to most financing sources in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of positive findings. Access to finance remained one of the least important factors limiting firms’ performance, and respondents were optimistic that access to almost all types of financing would improve in 2026. The survey found that costs of production or labour, foreign demand and supply chains became more important constraints in 2025, while other limiting factors either declined in importance or were unchanged. Firms viewed banks’ willingness to approve loans slightly less favourably than a year earlier, but still relied mainly on internal funds for investment, which reduced the need for external financing. The previous rise in the share of firms not seeking external finance ended in 2025. Over the next three years, firms plan to invest mainly in machinery and equipment, human resources and digital technology, with internal funds and bank loans expected to remain the main funding sources. Respondents also identified legislation, bureaucracy and taxes as the main barriers to investment, while a predictable environment, government support and the availability of European Union funding were cited as the main supporting factors.
Central Bank of Slovenia 2026-03-09
Central Bank of Slovenia survey finds firms retained favourable access to financing in 2025 and expect better conditions in 2026
The Central Bank of Slovenia's Survey on Access to Finance of Enterprises indicates firms reported favorable access to financing in 2025, with expectations for improvement in 2026. While production costs, foreign demand, and supply chains emerged as key constraints, firms primarily relied on internal funds for investment. Legislation, bureaucracy, and taxes were identified as main barriers, whereas government support and EU funding were seen as supportive factors.