Migrate to Slovenia - Cost-Friendly Local Team
Immigrate to Slovenia
Updated on Tuesday 24th October 2023 Rate this article
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The conditions for immigration to Slovenia can vary based on the nationality of the foreigner who arrives in this country. Thus, the Slovenian law distinguishes between nationals of the European Union (EU) member states, the European Economic Area (EEA) and third country nationals. Our immigration lawyers in Slovenia can present the rules applicable for each category.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
| Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes (certain visa exemptions can apply for nationals of certain countries arriving in Slovenia for short-term stays) |
| Types of visas available in Slovenia | - C type visa (for short stays), - D type visa (for long-term stays) |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | Approximately 30 days |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | One can immigrate to Slovenia on a temporary visa for maximum 1 year. |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements | - identity document, - recent photograph, - proof of residence |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit | In order to immigrate to Slovenia one must prepare: - the application form, - identity document/travel document, - recent photograph, - proof of health insurance, recognized in Slovenia, - clean criminal record issued in the home country, - proof of having sufficient financial means, - proof of fee payment, - documents attesting the purpose of stay |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | Permanent residence can be obtained after 5 years of stay in Slovenia. |
| Investor Visa availability | Residence by Investment Program |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | No |
| Sponsorship requirement to immigrate to Slovenia (YES/NO) | Yes (but it depends on the visa program) |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 10 years (by naturalization), but shorter periods of time are available for certain categories of persons |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Only residency by investment |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | The taxes due are calculated based on the residency (non-residents are charged only for the income obtained in Slovenia). |
| Tax benefits for expats | Benefits can arise from the provisions of double tax treaties, claiming local tax benefits and refunds for tax paid in excess. |
Then, a further distinction refers to the duration of the stay and the purpose of the stay – here, foreigners can arrive in Slovenia for transit purposes, for short-term stays or for long-term stays. If you want to migrate to Slovenia, we invite you to request in-depth legal advice on any immigration procedure from our team of Slovenian lawyers.
EU citizens, along with non-EU citizens, relocated to Slovenia have the right to apply for Slovenian citizenship if they want to become citizens and if they comply with the basic requirements imposed in this sense.
In general, citizenship can be obtained after 10 years of stay in this country, but persons married to Slovenian nationals can apply after 3 years of marriage.
In both cases, residency requirements are also imposed. Thus, a foreigner married to a Slovenian national can apply for citizenship after having residency in Slovenia for at least 1 year out of the 3 years of marriage.
For those who need to comply with the standard procedure (10 years), 5 years of permanent residency are required in order to start the application process.
How can EU citizens migrate to Slovenia?
The citizens of the EU benefit from the simplest rules for immigration to Slovenia. This is given by the fact that Slovenia itself is a member state of the EU, a structure that guarantees the free movement of persons across its borders. This is why the procedure for immigration to Slovenia as an EU citizen is very simple – the foreigner does not need to apply for a visa, or for a residence permit. The arrival in the country is limited to simply presenting one’s identity document (be it an identity card or the passport).
As said above, the EU citizen does not need to obtain a residence permit when arriving in Slovenia. But this right is granted if the duration of the stay is limited to a maximum of three months. In the case in which the stay is longer than this, the EU citizen will have to register for the issuance of a residence permit.
According to the law that regulates the procedures to migrate to Slovenia, EU citizens who know they will stay longer than three months in this country can apply for a residence permit following their arrival in this country, but this is not a mandatory requirement. Our team of Slovenian lawyers can offer more details on other residency requirements.
How can third country nationals immigrate to Slovenia?
The procedures imposed on persons who arrive from third party countries (which define countries that do not have an immigration agreement with Slovenia and which most follow the standard immigration rules) are much more complex and they all involve the issuance of a visa.
The necessity to own a visa upon the arrival in Slovenia is imposed regardless of the purpose of stay. Thus, foreigners who arrive here for business, study, work, family or personal reasons, including for medical treatment or for visiting the country, are required to have a visa issued in their name, for the specific reason that they have arrived here.
Here, there are two main categories of visas foreigners can obtain: the C type visa, issued for short-term stays, and the D type visa, issued for long-term stays. The C type visa defines stays that have a duration of maximum of 90 days in a period of 180 days. Our immigration lawyers in Slovenia can offer more details on other types of visas.
Below, you can watch a video on immigration to Slovenia:
Moving to Slovenia for work purposes
It is possible to immigrate to Slovenia for work purposes, but you need to follow the required procedures to obtain the necessary permits. Our Slovenian lawyers will explain this process.
There are 4 types of work permits in Slovenia:
- Single permit for work – for individuals with a valid work contract with a Slovenian employer;
- Work visa for self-employed - For individuals owning a company in Slovenia;
- Work visa for seasonal work;
- EU Blue Card – issued for highly qualified individuals in specific fields, with a two-year validity period.
You can discuss with our immigration lawyers in Slovenia to find out which permit fits your case.
Applying for a Slovenian work visa includes preparing the required documents (passport, employment contract, health insurance, criminal record, etc.) and submitting the application, after paying the visa fees. The processing time varies, but it takes on average 6 months for the visa to be issued.
The single permit for work is valid for one year, but it can be renewed. You or your employer can apply for an extension, following the same requirements as the initial application.
Spouses, parents, and minor children can work and immigrate to Slovenia with the appropriate family reunification visa.
Our lawyers in Slovenia remind you that health insurance is mandatory upon arrival. We can help you obtain one.
Types of residence permits in Slovenia
To acquire residency in Slovenia, you also need a residency permit. The two types are:
- Temporary residence permit– initially valid for one year, but can be extended for up to three years, with a maximum total validity of three years. For this type of permit you need a specific reason for your stay, such as a work permit or a student visa.
- Permanent residence permit – it is valid for ten years and then renewable. To obtain it, you must have continuously lived in Slovenia with a temporary residence permit for five consecutive years.
Both permits will grant you a Slovenia Residence Card, mandatory when immigrating to Slovenia.
Documents required for residency permits in Slovenia include a passport, criminal record, ID photos, health insurance, proof of financial stability, proof of payment, and application form. Our law firm in Slovenia can handle the application process for you.
Acquiring Slovenian citizenship
Slovenian citizenship is granted to citizens born in the country, to those that prove Slovenian ancestry (available up to the second generation of direct descent), or by naturalization.
Naturalization requires living in Slovenia for at least 10 years (with the last five years being continuous), financial stability, basic knowledge of the language, no criminal record, tax compliance, and an oath of allegiance.
There are special cases in which naturalization might be granted earlier. Our immigration lawyers in Slovenia can explain those situations if you are interested in learning more.
Slovenian citizenship by marriage is eligible only if one is married to a Slovenian citizen for at least three years and lives with the spouse in Slovenia for one year.
Business investors who invest at least 50,000 into a new company and create jobs for Slovenian citizens can apply for citizenship after two years of having a permanent residency in Slovenia.
Dual citizenship is allowed, but only in certain conditions. Individuals with dual citizenship are advised to contact our attorneys in Slovenia.
What is the data on migration in Slovenia?
Those who want to immigrate to Slovenia must know that the country has a positive migration rate, which defines the fact that more people arrived in the country compared to those who left. Below, you can find the data on Slovenian migration, as presented by the Statistical Office for the year 2021:
- 1,782 foreign citizens obtained Slovenian citizenship;
- Approximately 43% of all foreign immigrants in Slovenia came from Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- 22% of immigrants who acquired Slovenian citizenship previously lived in Germany.
- 19% of immigrants who acquired citizenship previously lived in Austria.
If you need advice on relocating here, we invite you to contact our team of Slovenian lawyers. At our law firm in Slovenia, you can be represented by a team of professionals and through our team, you can complete the immigration procedures knowing that all the steps were completed in accordance with the established rules and regulations.