Slovenia

Requirements

• Signed employment/work contract or binding job offer
• Employer registration proof and evidence employer fulfils ESS conditions
• Qualifications where the post requires them
• Valid passport, health insurance (min EUR 30,000), proof of means and accommodation
• Favourable labour-market consent from ESS (ZRSZ)

Required Documents

• Valid travel document (passport) valid at least 3 months beyond permit required
• Recent biometric passport photo required
• Signed employment/work contract or binding job offer required
• Employer's registration proof required
• Proof of health insurance (min EUR 30,000 coverage) required
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence required
• Proof of accommodation in Slovenia required
• Qualification certificates where the post requires them
• Criminal-record certificate (when requested)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   File application

   Worker or employer files the single-permit application at a Slovenian consulate abroad for the first permit (in-Slovenia filing only in special cases: sports professionals, accredited correspondents, clergy/charitable workers, or ministry-attested economic/educational interest).

2. 2

   Labour-market consent

   The administrative unit requests ESS (ZRSZ) labour-market consent — this is the step that lengthens processing.

3. 3

   Card issuance

   On approval, the biometric residence card is produced. A first permit's interim certificate does NOT authorise work until the card is issued.

4. 4

   Employment flexibility

   Once held, you may change employer/workplace or hold multiple jobs without a new permit (notification only).

Official Sources

• Official Purpose of residence: Employment or Work (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci
• Official Single permit - Work in Slovenia (Employment Service of Slovenia) · Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ/ESS)

Requirements

• Higher-education diploma or recognised equivalent / proof of high professional qualification
• Employment contract or binding offer of at least 1 year
• Gross salary at least 1.5x the average annual gross wage in Slovenia
• Valid passport, health insurance, proof of means and accommodation

Required Documents

• Higher-education diploma (or recognised equivalent / proof of high professional qualification) required
• Employment contract or binding offer of at least 1 year with qualifying salary required
• Valid travel document (passport) required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Proof of accommodation required
• Proof of sufficient means required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply

   Apply at a Slovenian consulate, or within 30 days of entry if already legally in Slovenia with a contract.

2. 2

   Verification

   The administrative unit verifies the qualification and salary threshold (>= 1.5x average annual gross wage).

3. 3

   Card issued

   Card issued for contract duration + 3 months, max 2 years (extendable up to 3 years). Family may apply simultaneously with no waiting period.

4. 4

   Mobility and changes

   A holder of another member state's Blue Card for >= 18 months may enter SI for 30 days and apply locally. After the first 2 years, employer change requires only notification.

Official Sources

• Official Purpose of residence: EU Blue Card (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci

Requirements

• Proof of enrolment at an accredited institution
• Proof of means (scholarship confirmation OR parental support statement accepted)
• Health insurance and accommodation

Required Documents

• Proof of enrolment at an accredited education institution required
• Proof of means (scholarship confirmation or parental support statement) required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Proof of accommodation required
• Valid passport required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Enrol

   Secure enrolment at an accredited Slovenian institution.

2. 2

   Apply

   File the study residence permit application (abroad at consulate for first permit; renewals at administrative unit).

3. 3

   Receive permit

   Permit issued for 1 year, extendable for the duration of studies. EU student mobility up to 360 days without reapplying.

Official Sources

• Official Purpose of residence: Studies (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci

Requirements

• Registration in the Slovenian Business Register (AJPES) for independent professional activity, OR
• Without prior registration, may work in own company only after 1 year continuous residence
• Company/sole-trader documents, proof of means, general documents

Required Documents

• AJPES / Slovenian Business Register registration proof required
• Company / sole-trader documents required
• Proof of sufficient means required
• Valid passport, health insurance, proof of accommodation required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Register business

   Register the business via the SPOT (e-VEM) one-stop system (free for a basic sole trader / d.o.o. registration via SPOT points), recorded in the Slovenian Business Register (AJPES).

2. 2

   Choose route

   Route (a): register in AJPES as performing an independent professional activity and work immediately; or route (b): without prior registration, work in your own company only after 1 year continuous residence.

3. 3

   Apply for permit

   File the self-employment residence permit application (abroad at consulate for first permit) with general documents and registration proof.

Official Sources

• Official Purpose of residence: Self-Employment (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci
• Official Slovenian Business Register (AJPES) · AJPES (Agency for Public Legal Records)
• Official SPOT - Slovenian Business Point (e-VEM) · Government of Slovenia

Requirements

• Sponsor resided 1 year on a temporary permit and holds a permit valid >= 1 year (no wait for Blue Card holders, researchers/HE staff, intra-corporate transferees, or permanent-permit holders)
• Proof of family relationship (legalised/apostilled and translated)
• Proof of sufficient means covering the prior 6 months + application month
• Health insurance and accommodation

Required Documents

• Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, legalised/apostilled and translated) required
• Proof of sufficient means covering the prior 6 months plus the application month required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Proof of accommodation required
• Certificate of basic Slovenian for adult family members (from Nov 2024), unless exempt required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm sponsor eligibility

   Sponsor must have resided 1 year on a temporary permit and hold a permit valid >= 1 year (no wait for Blue Card holders, researchers/HE staff, ICTs, or permanent-permit holders).

2. 2

   Prepare documents

   Obtain legalised/apostilled and translated relationship documents and, for adult members, the basic Slovenian certificate (unless exempt).

3. 3

   Apply

   File the family reunification application for qualifying members: spouse/registered partner, minor unmarried children, stepchildren, dependent parents/adult children.

Official Sources

• Official Purpose of residence: Family Reunification (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci

Requirements

• Signed hosting agreement with a Slovenian research organisation / HE institution (replaces an employment-contract requirement)
• Valid passport, health insurance, proof of means and accommodation

Required Documents

• Signed hosting agreement with a Slovenian research organisation or HE institution required
• Valid passport required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Proof of sufficient means required
• Proof of accommodation required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Hosting agreement

   Conclude a hosting agreement with a Slovenian research organisation or higher-education institution.

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply for the research residence permit. Long-term stays beyond short-term mobility require application within 30 days of entry.

3. 3

   Mobility

   Short-term mobility up to 180 days within 360 is permitted; family members are covered. Permit valid up to 1 year, annually renewable.

Official Sources

• Official Research activities within higher vocational colleges and HE institutions (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci

Requirements

• Proof of remote employment/self-employment for a business based outside Slovenia
• Monthly funds at least 2x the average monthly NET salary in Slovenia (formula per Official Gazette; no fixed EUR amount published)
• Health insurance, accommodation, valid passport
• No labour-market test (does not enter the Slovenian labour market)

Required Documents

• Proof of remote employment or self-employment for a business based outside Slovenia required
• Bank statements / contracts evidencing the income threshold required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Proof of accommodation required
• Valid passport required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Gather evidence

   Assemble proof of remote work for a non-Slovenian business and bank statements/contracts meeting the income threshold (>= 2x average monthly net salary).

2. 2

   Apply

   Apply at a Slovenian consulate abroad, or at any administrative unit if already legally resident. No labour-market test applies.

3. 3

   Receive permit

   Permit valid up to 1 year, non-extendable. May reapply 6 months after expiry. Immediate family reunification with no waiting period.

Official Sources

• Official Temporary residence permit for digital nomads (GOV.SI, 21 Nov 2025) · Government of Slovenia (GOV.SI)

Requirements

• Emigrants and direct descendants to the 4th degree: 1 year continuous residence
• Descendants to the 2nd degree and indigenous-minority members: no continuous-residence requirement
• Must show personal connection and (for the latter category) ~5 years' active involvement in Slovenian organisations abroad

Required Documents

• Evidence of Slovenian emigrant ancestry / descent (birth and lineage records) required
• Evidence of personal connection to Slovenia required
• Evidence of ~5 years' active involvement in Slovenian organisations abroad (for descendants to 2nd degree / minority members)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Establish lineage

   Document Slovenian emigrant ancestry and the degree of descent to determine the applicable track.

2. 2

   Demonstrate connection

   Provide evidence of personal connection to Slovenia and, where required, active involvement in Slovenian organisations abroad.

3. 3

   Apply

   Apply at an administrative unit in Slovenia or a Slovenian consulate abroad; decided by the Ministry of the Interior.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship (GOV.SI) · Government of Slovenia (GOV.SI)

Requirements

• 5 years continuous lawful temporary residence (2 years for family of a citizen/permanent resident/refugee; study counts half-rate; seasonal/posting/ICT/cross-border/temporary-protection/prison time does NOT count)
• Valid passport, proof of sufficient means, health insurance, criminal-record certificate
• A2 Slovenian language certificate (from 1 November 2024)

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Proof of sufficient means required
• Proof of health insurance required
• Criminal-record certificate required
• Certificate of a passed Slovenian language test at level A2 (applications from 1 Nov 2024) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   Confirm the qualifying residence period and obtain the A2 Slovenian language certificate.

2. 2

   Apply

   Submit the application at your local administrative unit. You must still hold a valid temporary permit when the decision is made (apply for a temporary extension simultaneously if it would otherwise expire).

3. 3

   Register

   Receive the decision and register the permanent residence.

Official Sources

• Official Permanent Residence Permit (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci

Requirements

• Ordinary: 10 years total incl. continuous 5 years immediately before application; active Slovenian; guaranteed livelihood; clean record; generally release from prior citizenship
• By marriage: married >= 3 years + 1 year continuous residence
• Extraordinary (national interest): 1 year residence; prior citizenship may be retained
• Reacquisition / emigrants & descendants: emigrants and direct descendants to 4th degree - 1 year residence; descendants to 2nd degree and indigenous-minority members - no continuous-residence requirement but must show personal connection and ~5 years' active involvement in Slovenian organisations abroad

Required Documents

• Certificate of a passed Slovenian language exam (active command, written + oral) required
• Proof of qualifying residence period required
• Proof of guaranteed livelihood required
• Clean criminal record required
• Evidence of release from prior citizenship (ordinary naturalization)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Meet residence and conditions

   Confirm the applicable residence track (ordinary 10 years, marriage 3+1, extraordinary 1 year, or emigrant/descendant) and meet livelihood, record, and language conditions.

2. 2

   Pass language exam

   Obtain the separate Slovenian language certificate (written + oral); the exam fee is paid to the examining institution.

3. 3

   Apply

   Apply at an administrative unit in Slovenia or a Slovenian consulate abroad; the application is decided by the Ministry of the Interior.

Official Sources

• Official Citizenship (GOV.SI) · Government of Slovenia (GOV.SI)
• Official Citizenship - Entry and residence in Slovenia (Employment Service of Slovenia) · Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ/ESS)

Requirements

• Apply in person
• One application yields a decision on refugee status or subsidiary protection

Required Documents

• Personal identification / available identity documents
• Statement and evidence supporting the protection claim required

Process Steps

1. 1

   Apply in person

   Lodge the application in person with the Ministry of the Interior's International Protection Procedures Division.

2. 2

   Accommodation and processing

   Applicants are accommodated and processed during the procedure.

3. 3

   Decision

   Receive a decision on refugee status (treated as permanent residence) or subsidiary protection (treated as temporary residence). Beneficiaries get eased family reunification and access to naturalization over time.

Official Sources

• Official International protection (GOV.SI) · Government of Slovenia (GOV.SI)
• Official Persons under international protection (InfoTujci) · Government of Slovenia / InfoTujci