For most people from countries outside the European Union, moving to Slovenia is a way to improve the quality and conditions of their lives. The state is characterized by a high level of security, mild climate, favorable environmental situation and a developed health care system operating on the basis of compulsory state insurance.  Immigrants are also attracted by the prospect of obtaining a Slovenian passport because of the possibility of gaining access to the full range of rights of EU citizens, since the country is a member of the association.

It is also possible to move to Slovenia to open a business – thanks to the developed economy of the state it is not difficult to successfully conduct commercial activities in the local and pan-European markets. Further in the article we will consider the main features, advantages and disadvantages of the country, as well as current immigration programs. For more detailed information on quick ways to move to Slovenia, sign up for a free consultation.

Reasons to choose Slovenia for relocation

Immigrants consider relocation programs to the Republic of Slovenia for a number of reasons related to economic factors and comfort level of living. Among the main advantages of the country that contribute to the decision to immigrate are the following:

• wide opportunities for entrepreneurial activity;
• a large number of available vacancies in IT, engineering, medicine and tourism;
• low cost of living compared to Western European countries;
• high quality education in Slovenian schools and universities;
• high level of medical services and well-developed infrastructure in the health care system;
• low crime rate;
• clean environment with a large number of green areas and an efficient waste utilization system contributing to this;
• good roads surface, modern public transportation and communications;
• convenient geographical location of the country, which opens wide opportunities for travel and business development;
• rich history and culture with preserved traditions and high respect for the institution of family.

Main stages of moving to Slovenia

Emigration from other countries to Slovenia takes place step by step and begins with choosing the basis on which you can legally stay in the country for a long time. Below we will talk about the main stages of moving to the republic.

Selecting the basis for immigration

The Law on Foreigners regulates several grounds for granting immigrants the right to a long stay in the country. It is possible to legally move to Slovenia and reside in its territory for one of the following reasons:

• employment;
• business immigration;
• family reunification;
• education or advanced training;
• conducting research activities;
• participation in international volunteer exchange programs;
• Slovenian origin;
• being born in Slovenia to foreign parents;
• special merits for the Republic;
• being granted refugee status or subsidiary protection.

Preparing the necessary documents

Once you have chosen a suitable basis for moving to Slovenia, you will need to prepare a set of documents. It consists of a basic set, which includes:

• application for a residence permit;
• a photograph of the applicant;
• availability of a valid visa for relocation (type D);
• passport;
• health insurance policy for the amount of at least 30,000 EUR;
• proof of sufficient funds for living in the country (485 EUR per month per adult and 286 EUR per child);
• certificate of absence of criminal record;
• documentary evidence of the grounds for granting the applicant a temporary residence permit.

All documents issued by another country must be translated into Slovenian and notarized. When applying for a residence permit, it is also necessary to undergo a dactyloscopy procedure.

Submitting an application

You can obtain your first residence permit at a Slovenian diplomatic mission abroad or at the administrative office in the territory of Slovenia at the place of your address registration. If the purpose of the move is employment, your employer can apply for a residence permit.

After successful completion of the application, the administrative staff in Slovenia will issue you with a certificate of acceptance. This document is a temporary residence permit and will be valid until a decision is made on your application. The residence permit must be obtained in person, regardless of whether the application was submitted in Slovenia or abroad.

Once you have received the residence permit card, you must register your place of residence in the country within 8 days. To complete this procedure, it is important to have your passport, residence permit and a document confirming your right to reside at the specified address (housing ownership certificate or rental agreement). Registration of the place of residence will be valid for 2 years, then the information will need to be updated.

Cost and processing time

When planning to move to Slovenia, you should take into account the cost of document processing, translation and legalization services, as well as the administrative fees for issuing residence permits. Initially, to obtain the right to come to the territory of the Republic, you need to issue a visa type D, the cost of which is 77 EUR. The document is issued within 15 working days.

The next step is to apply for a residence permit, which costs 4.50 EUR. The fee for issuing a residence permit is 50 EUR. The temporary residence card costs 15.47 EUR, and if you receive it by post you have to pay 26.51 EUR.

The decision-making period for the issuance of the residence permit and residence registration certificate is no longer than 30 days. If the administration staff has the need to carry out additional checks, this period may increase up to 60 days.

Visa and immigration peculiarities

In 2025, foreign nationals who reside in countries that have not signed a visa-free agreement with Slovenia or who need to stay in Slovenia for a longer period of time may obtain one of three types of visas:

• transit airport (type A);
• short-term (type C);
• long-term (type D).

To move to Slovenia, immigrants first apply specifically for a visa type D, which is valid for more than 90 days but up to a year. To obtain such a permit, it is necessary to apply to the consulate not earlier than 3 months before the planned trip.

Upon arrival in the country, it is necessary to apply to the competent authority at the place of residence and apply for a residence permit. The document is granted for a year and can be extended. After 5 years of continuous residence in Slovenia on the basis of a residence permit, you have the right to apply for a permanent residence permit. The mandatory minimum period of stay in the territory of the state is reduced to two years if you are a family member of a Slovenian citizen, a holder of a local residence permit or a refugee.

The main documents that applicants for a permanent resident card must provide are:

• passport;
• a certificate proving proficiency in the Slovenian language at the A2 level;
• proof of financial means to live in the country;
• health insurance policy;
• certificate of absence of criminal record.

When applying for a residence permit, it is necessary to stay in Slovenia with a valid residence permit. If there is a possibility that the temporary permit may expire during the application process, the document should be extended in advance.

A residence permit is not issued to applicants who have resided in the territory of the Republic for 5 consecutive years on a temporary residence permit for the purpose of education, seasonal work, business trips or professional training.

The final stage of obtaining legal status in Slovenia is the formalization of citizenship, which can be acquired by one of four methods:

• birth – a child whose one or both parents are citizens of the republic automatically receives the same status regardless of the place of birth;
• application – a Slovenian passport may be granted to an applicant who was born abroad to one or two citizens of the Republic, if he or she has applied for recognition as a citizen of the country before reaching the age of 36;
• naturalization – a Slovene passport may be claimed by a person who has actually and legally resided in the Republic for 10 years, of which the last 5 years have been continuous, who speaks the state language at the domestic level and who has renounced his or her status in his or her native country. Citizenship may also be granted to a Slovenian emigrant and his or her immediate family members up to the fourth generation if they have lived in the country for a year or more under a residence permit.
• repatriation – Slovenian emigrants, their descendants up to the second generation and members of the Slovenian national community abroad may be granted citizenship without having to meet the conditions of continuous residence in the country.  

When considering the available ways to move to Slovenia, it is worth contacting specialized professionals to get qualified assistance in emigrating from your home country. At the moment, most applicants can take advantage of the simplified program and obtain the status of Slovenian citizen within 12 months. You can find out more detailed information during a consultation with the company’s specialists.

Life in Slovenia: reviews and practical information

Looking through the reviews of immigrants who have moved to Slovenia, we can conclude that many of them like the country for its convenient geographical location, small size and favorable climate. Small distances between settlements allow you to travel without much difficulty, enjoying the picturesque nature and original architecture. Below we will talk about the most suitable cities in Slovenia for relocation.

Ljubljana

The capital and largest city of Slovenia with a population of 288,000 people, which is the economic, cultural, political and administrative center of the state. There are many employment opportunities in Ljubljana – numerous national and international companies operate here. The average salary in the city is almost 1,600 EUR per month, with the expenses of a single person being around 843 EUR. To get a better idea of the main items of expenditure, consider the table below:

In 2016, the city was awarded the title of the greenest capital of Europe. Ljubljana has a favorable environmental situation, private cars are prohibited in the center – only electric vehicles and bicycles are allowed. There are 11 higher education institutions where you can get education in business, management, scientific research, art and law. Ljubljana also has numerous medical centers with a wide range of services, an oncology institute, and several rehabilitation centers for adults and children.

Maribor

Slovenia’s second largest city near the Austrian border, Maribor is located in the Drava River valley at the foot of the Pogorje mountain range. Maribor is a major scientific and economic center with a well-established logistics infrastructure, so it is well suited for doing business in the markets of neighboring European countries. The level of average salary in the city is on par with Ljubljana – about 1 600 EUR, the cost per person per month is about 814 EUR. For comparison, the table shows other expenses of Maribor residents:

There are 2 institutions of higher education here – the University of Maribor and the European Center of Maribor, which started its work in 2010.  The health care system is well established, and the city has a University Clinical Center, which provides treatment services for patients with complex diseases.

Koper

Slovenia’s largest seaside city, the country’s main port with a population of just over 53,000, famous for its Italian architecture and tourist attractions. The average salary in Koper is almost 1,500 EUR per month, with one person spending about 817 EUR on living expenses. The table shows the average prices for food, accommodation, transportation and entertainment:

Koper is home to Seaside University, which main fields of study are economics, business administration, natural sciences, mathematics, medicine, hospitality and tourism. The city has 4 public medical centers of a wide profile and a private clinic.

Advantages and disadvantages of moving to Slovenia

Slovenia, like any other country in the European Union, has its pros and cons from the immigrant’s point of view. The main advantages for which it is worth moving to Slovenia are:

• high quality of life;
• wide opportunities for starting a business;
• good environmental situation;
• low crime rate;
• calm and measured way of life of the local population;
• a wide range of high-quality local food products;
• convenient geographical location;
• wide opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Immigration to Slovenia also has certain disadvantages that citizens of other countries face after moving. Among the main disadvantages of the country are the following:

• difficulties in learning the Slovenian language;
• rather high cost of renting and buying housing;
• small labor market;
• a high level of bureaucracy when it comes to paperwork and administrative matters.

In reviews one can often find opinions that the republic is most suitable for those who appreciate a favorable climate, economic stability and a quiet measured life.

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How to simplify the process of immigration to Slovenia

It is possible to move to Slovenia only on legal grounds, while the process of naturalization and citizenship takes a lot of time and requires a significant financial investment. Therefore, when choosing a suitable program of emigration from your home country, you should consider the possibility of repatriation, which allows you to go to Slovenia without knowing the language or living in the country for a long time.

To find out whether you have the opportunity to take advantage of a simplified immigration program in the republic, make an appointment for a consultation with the specialists of the company. Experienced lawyers will provide you with all the necessary information and help you legally move to Slovenia within 12 months. With their support, you will be able to go through the citizenship procedure without unnecessary expenses and worries.