Slovenia is a country known for its thermal springs, mild climate, stunning scenery, and coastal landscapes. It is a favourite destination for travellers. Its capital, Ljubljana, is famous for its student-friendly atmosphere, charming old streets, a thriving commercial centre, numerous outdoor cafes, and museums.
However, Slovenia's tourist attractions are not the only reason for the country’s popularity. Among its many advantages is the opportunity to apply for residence permits from abroad, relocate with your family, and even obtain permanent residence after five years of living in the country. Slovenia is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which means its residents can freely travel around Europe and stay in any Schengen country for up to 90 days without a visa or permit.
We will discuss the grounds for obtaining Slovenian residence permits, the accompanying procedures, and the essential documents you will need.
When One Can Apply for Temporary Residence in Slovenia?
To get Slovenian residence, you need to have a clear and valid reason for residing in the country. Foreign nationals can come to Slovenia for various purposes.
- Employment. You need a special permit to work in Slovenia, like in most European countries. The working permit is the same document as the residence permit. Both the foreign national and their employer can apply for this permit. The initial application is usually made at a Slovenian diplomatic mission abroad, except for cases when the individual already has a residence permit. In such cases, they can apply for the permit at the Slovenian administrative authority in their place of residence. Some professionals may enter Slovenia on a tourist visa or without one (for visa-exempt countries) and obtain a residence permit before the 90-day allowed stay period expires. This option is available for professionals like sports coaches, journalists, and clergy. A residence permit is initially issued for a maximum of two years, regardless of the employment contract duration, and can be extended later. Importantly, the work permit does not tie the employee to a specific employer, allowing them to change both their position and place of work without additional immigration formalities.
- European Blue Card. This is a single document for highly qualified specialists, valid throughout the European Union. Foreigners can obtain their first Blue Card in Slovenia. To do this, they need to reside in the country and sign an employment contract with a local employer. You can submit an application for a European Blue Card to the local administration in your place of residence. Holders of a card issued in another EU country can also apply. To do this, they need to have lived in Europe for the past 18 months and find employment in Slovenia.
- Research, Teaching, and Other Educational Activities. This residence permit is granted to individuals with relevant agreements with Slovenian educational institutions. It distinguishes between a short-term residence permit, valid for a maximum of 180 days within every 360 days, and a long-term permit, which is valid for more than 180 days.
- Studying. Students are eligible to obtain a residence permit after enrolling in local educational institutions. It is initially granted for one year with the possibility of extension.
- Residence Permit for Job Search. Individuals who have obtained an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a Slovenian educational institution can apply for this permit. At the time of application, they must already hold a residence permit. It is required that no more than two years have passed since the completion of their studies. The residence permit for job searching is valid for nine months.
- Internship. In Slovenia, you can obtain a single permit for an internship, which also includes a residence permit. The maximum duration of this permit is one year.
- Family Reunification. Both permanent and temporary residents have the right to bring their families to Slovenia. Holders of residence permits can invite their families if their valid residence permit is issued for one year, and they have resided in the country for one year before that. Some foreigners may be eligible for faster family reunification; details can be found on the official Slovenian website for foreigners. Starting from October 28, 2023, when obtaining this type of residence permit, the applicants must take beginner-level Slovenian language courses. After November 1, 2024, the requirements will become even stricter: passing a test for a basic level of language proficiency will be necessary.
- Family Reunification for People Granted International Protection in Slovenia. Alongside refugees, their relatives can also obtain a residence permit. This type of residence permit is issued for the same duration as the residence permit of the person under Slovenian protection.
- Possession of European Permanent Residency. Having long-term residency permission by itself does not grant the right to Slovenian residence. In this case, foreigners need to demonstrate a specific purpose from the list above. However, in this situation, individuals can enter Slovenia without special permission and can obtain a residence permit there within 90 days. The Ministry of Interior will notify the EU country that issued the long-term residency about the foreigner's change of residence.
- Other Legitimate Reasons. The listed reasons are not exhaustive. There are other grounds for obtaining residence permits, such as guardianship over Slovenian children or owning local real estate. These reasons do not automatically grant the right to a residence permit, but foreigners can attempt to obtain one based on these grounds.
- Self-employment. Self-employed individuals in Slovenia can obtain a single residence and work permit only after one year of legal residence. This means that initially you need to come to Slovenia for a different reason, and only later can you establish yourself as an entrepreneur. An exception to this rule is when a person manages to register in the Slovenian Business Register as a qualified worker. This opportunity is available to professionals such as lawyers, private doctors, detectives, and some other specialists.
- Seasonal work. The maximum validity of this residence permit is six months. In exceptional cases, they can be issued for up to seven months.
- Long-term assignments. An employer can send an employee to a Slovenian company for either work or training. In this case, the foreigner gets a single residence permit along with a work or study permit. The validity of this residence permit does not exceed one year, but you can renew it. Medical insurance is mandatory.
- Transfer of a manager, expert, or training specialist within a company. Slovenian legislation distinguishes between the transfer of an employee from a company headquartered in the EU and from a company with its headquarters in third countries. This residence permit can also be short-term, up to 90 days, or long-term, exceeding 90 days. The validity of the residence permit depends on the role: for managers and experts, it does not exceed three years, while for training specialists, it cannot be longer than one year.
Piran, Slovenia. Photo: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson (Unsplash)
How to Get Temporary Residency in Slovenia
The initial application for a residence permit in Slovenia should be submitted to any diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Slovenia abroad. Exceptions apply when a person:
- is already legally residing in the country based on a long-term visa;
- is enrolled in a local university;
- is a scientific researcher or lecturer;
- holds a European Blue Card;
- has permanent residency in another EU country. In this case, they can only apply for a residence permit in Slovenia for employment.
In these situations, foreigners should submit their residence permit application to their local administrative authority. The list and addresses of these institutions can be found on the official website of the Republic of Slovenia.
Those who submit a residence permit application within the country obtain a certificate, which is considered a temporary residence permit. This allows them to stay in Slovenia until a final decision is made on their application. Foreigners who require a visa to enter Slovenia should not leave the country during this period. Others can freely exit and re-enter.
Applications can be submitted in person or through a representative with a power of attorney. For minors, their parents or guardians always act on their behalf. If the grounds for the residence permit is work, the employer can submit the application; if it's for study, the local university can do it. The issuance of the residence permit involves fingerprinting, so everyone must collect their document in person, except for children under six years old.
Predjama Castle, Predjama, Slovenia. Photo: Omar Sotillo Franco (Unsplash)
Documents for Temporary Residence in Slovenia
To obtain a temporary residence permit in Slovenia, foreign nationals will need:
- a colour photograph measuring 3.5x4.5 cm with a resolution of at least 600 dots per inch. The quality should meet the requirements for biometric processing;
- proof of the residence purpose. Depending on why the foreigner is coming to the country, this could be an employment or student contract, birth or marriage certificate, European Permanent Residence, and so on;
- a valid passport;
- health insurance;
- proof of financial means;
- a certificate of no criminal record issued no more than three months before applying for the residence permit.
All documents in other languages must be translated into Slovenian by a court-certified translator and apostilled.
Requirements for Health Insurance
Appropriate health insurance varies depending on the individual's circumstances.
- For those working in the country: health insurance is provided through the local mandatory insurance system.
- For citizens of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Australia: health insurance should be arranged according to international agreements between these countries and Slovenia.
- For all others: a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is required. It must be valid on Slovenian territory for the entire duration of the residence permit and should cover at least emergency medical care.
If you are obtaining a residence permit for work, your employer must register you in the Slovenian mandatory social security system, which includes health insurance.
Krtina, Slovenia. Photo: Ivana Petrinjak (Unsplash)
How Much Money Will You Need?
To obtain a residence permit in Slovenia, you need to demonstrate that your income amounts to or surpasses the minimal level allowed. It is a variable amount adjusted based on the consumer price index. As of September 2023, the minimum income requirement was set at €465.34.
Proof of financial means varies according to the type of permit. If you are employed, you should provide your employment contract with details of your salary, annual leave, any bonuses, and allowances included. If you are planning to reside in Slovenia for reasons unrelated to your income, you will need to provide a bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the entire period of your residence permit. For example, if you are applying for a one-year residence permit, you should demonstrate funds of at least €465.34 multiplied by 12, which equals €5,584.08.
When family members are applying for residence permits, the income requirement is different. They need to demonstrate a minimum of 0.57 times the base income per adult and 0.59 times the base income per child.
Pokljuka, Slovenia. Photo: Jonatan Pie (Unsplash)
How to Get Permanent Residency in Slovenia
To obtain permanent residency (PR) in Slovenia, you must continuously live in the country for at least five years. PR does not require proof of a specific purpose for residing in the country.
Family members of Slovenian citizens and permanent residents can obtain PR after two years of living in the country based on a temporary residence permit. You must submit your application while your existing residence permit is still valid. Otherwise, you will need to extend your temporary residence first, and then apply for permanent residency.
However, it is important to note that time spent in education or vocational training in Slovenia is only counted as half of the required period. Seasonal work, business trips, internal corporate transfers, or temporary protection are not considered when calculating the period required for PR.
The mandatory conditions for obtaining PR include having sufficient financial means, a valid passport, a clean criminal record, and medical insurance. As of 2023, there is no language exam required for PR. However, this will change on November 1, 2024. Applications submitted after this date must be accompanied by a certificate demonstrating proficiency in the Slovenian language at level A2.
Once you receive PR, you must register it with your local administrative authority.
Registration in Slovenia
Any foreigner living in Slovenia, whether temporarily or permanently, except for those on business trips, must register their address. You can do it in person or through a representative with a power of attorney. You have eight days from the date of moving in or obtaining residence to do this.
The application is submitted to the local administrative authority. You should attach your passport or identity card, the residence permit, and proof of the legality of your residence. This can be a rental agreement, the owner's consent, a property ownership certificate, and other documents.
The registration is valid for the same period as the residence permit, but not more than two years. If your place of residence does not change after this period, you simply need to re-register it.
Solkan, Slovenia. Photo: Jani Brumat (Unsplash)
Main Fees
To apply for residence in Slovenia, you will need to pay the following fees:
- the application fee. If you submit the application in Slovenia, the fee is €4.50. When applying abroad (in a consulate or embassy), it will cost €13;
- €70 for the issuance of a single permit for residence and work;
- the fee for obtaining only a residence permit is €50 when applying in Slovenia, or €102 when applying abroad;
- €90.60 for permanent residency;
- €15.40 for printing of the residence permit document.
Thus, regardless of where you submit your application, whether in Slovenia or abroad, you will need to make three payments: for the application, for the residence permit, and for printing the ID card. The exact amount will depend on where you apply and for what purpose.
In a Nutshell
You can obtain a residence permit in Slovenia for various reasons. Firstly, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit. It is issued for different purposes, such as work, education, family reunification, research, and more.
After residing in the country on a temporary residency for five years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (PR) with no need to demonstrate a specific purpose.
In all cases, you will require medical insurance and proof of financial means, with a minimum of €465.34 per month for an adult and slightly less for family members.
Starting from October 2023, individuals obtaining a temporary residency for family reunification will have to complete beginner-level Slovenian language courses. From autumn 2024, they will have to pass a test demonstrating a basic level of language proficiency. Similar requirements will apply to PR applicants.
Once you have acquired a residence permit, it is essential to register your place of residence with the administrative authorities.
Cover photo: Lake Bled, Bled, Slovenia; Neven Krcmarek (Unsplash)
