Permanent residence of Slovenia is a status of a permanent resident, which essentially equates a foreigner in rights with local citizens (with the exception of the ability to vote and run for elections to government bodies). With this document, the applicant can continuously reside in the country and subsequently naturalize, obtaining a local passport. The Republic of Slovenia is a member of the European Union, so immigrants with local permanent residence automatically acquire the status of permanent residents of the EU.

Permanent residence is granted to a foreigner 5 years after moving to Slovenia and receiving the first temporary residence permit, if he meets the legislative requirements for the applicant. Immigration gives the applicant the opportunity to stay indefinitely in an economically developed European country with access to the labor market, health care and education systems, conducting commercial activities. This article reveals ways to move and obtain Slovenian permanent residence, terms and cost of registration of status, conditions and other important aspects.

What does permanent residence status in Slovenia give?

The status of a Slovenian permanent resident gives to the applicant the following rights and opportunities:

• unlimited employment (exception - certain positions in the state apparatus);
• education in higher educational institutions, including at the expense of the state on a budgetary basis;
• the ability to invite close relatives to live together and arrange a resident card for them;
• the prospect of subsequent naturalization in the republic and the issuance of a European Union passport;
• opening a new business or acquiring shares of existing companies;
• service in banking institutions with expanded opportunities (for example, a mortgage at 3% per year), inaccessible to non-residents;
• state support - protection of law enforcement agencies, payment of social benefits and assistance with integration into society.

When moving to Slovenia for permanent residence, an immigrant is obliged to comply with the norms of republican legislation, have a registered place of stay in the country and the ability to provide for himself.

Ways to immigrate to Slovenia

To move from Russia or another country to Slovenia for permanent residence, the applicant must first arrange temporary residence in the republic, annually update the status, and after 5 years of continuous stay in the country, apply for permanent residence. The initial temporary residence permit is opened for applicants on the grounds listed in the local law “On Foreigners”:

• Work

Immigration to Slovenia is possible for individuals who have signed a contract with a local company. Relocation is also possible for seconded employees and foreign specialists as part of intra-corporate transfer.

• Education

Students from other countries can live in Slovenia if they study at a local university or other institution with appropriate accreditation. A residence permit is also granted to individuals who are taking language courses or improving their qualifications.

• Business

Relocation to Slovenia is available for applicants who are ready to work in the republic as individual entrepreneurs or invest in the charter capital of an existing enterprise.

• Research

Scientific staff who come to the state to carry out a licensed project according to their specialty and after the invitation of a local research institute or similar institution can obtain a residence permit in Slovenia.

• Real Estate Purchase

Slovenian authorities may approve a request for a temporary residence permit for foreigners who own a residential object in the republic and intend to live in it on a regular basis.

• Family Reunion

Close relatives of residents and citizens of the republic can move to Slovenia. The host party can invite minor and unmarried children, legal spouses (in the case of polygamous marriage - only one of them), parents. It is also possible to reunite the family with other relatives who need care.

• Refugee

A residence permit in Slovenia is granted to individuals who were forced to leave their home country due to a threat to life or health, as a result of military aggression, persecution on racial, national or other grounds. A temporary residence permit is also issued to victims of sexual and labor exploitation.

• Other Grounds

Interns, volunteers, religious figures, teachers of local universities, as well as other individuals (if this meets the state interests) can arrange residency in Slovenia.

Requirements for the applicant for permanent residence and conditions of relocation

To arrange a permanent residence in Slovenia, the applicant must previously stay in the state for 5 years as a temporary resident. The residence census is reduced to 24 months for family members of permanent residents of the republic. Permanent residence on an individual basis before the expiration of the five-year period can be granted to persons of Slovenian origin or in the interests of the states.

Only 50% of the time spent by the applicant in the country with a student temporary residence permit is counted towards the total period of residence. Seconded and transferred within the company employees cannot claim permanent residence: first they need to arrange a residence permit on another basis (for example, to get a job in the organization on a permanent basis). The period of the applicant’s absence in the state is not counted towards the period of stay in Slovenia, if the departure lasts more than half a year in a row or 9 months in total for all 5 years.

In addition to the condition of compliance with the residence census, to obtain a permanent residence, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• no convictions for the last 36 months for a period of more than a year;
• sufficient financial security to cover their own needs;
• arranged status of a temporary resident;
• knowledge of the Slovenian language at level A2 and above;
• registered place of stay in the republic;
• the presence of a full package of documents according to the basis for arranging the status.

How to move to Slovenia for permanent residence?

For immigration from Russia or some other country to Slovenia, the foreigner should pass through the next stages:

1. Search for the optimal way to obtain resident status.
   The foreigner determines on what basis he can claim the Slovenian temporary residence permit, after which he forms the corresponding dossier.
2. Request for a residence permit.
   The first permit for temporary stay in the republic is arranged by the applicant in the diplomatic representation of Slovenia in the country of residence, providing a package of documents and submitting biometric data."
3. Immigration and registration in the republic.
   With a temporary residence permit, the applicant moves to Slovenia and registers at the place of residence in the territorial municipality within a maximum of eight days after crossing the border.
4. Living in the country for the necessary period.
   The applicant stays in the republic with the primary residence permit for a maximum of 12 months, after which they can reissue the document while maintaining the basis. Until the census of sedentary foreigners, it is necessary to regularly extend the residence permit in order to legally stay in the country.
5. Filing a petition for permanent residence.
   After the established period (usually 5 years) of stay in Slovenia and in compliance with the requirements for the applicant, the immigrant applies to the nearest administrative unit and requests the status of a permanent resident. With a permanent residence permit, the applicant can stay in the republic for an unlimited period.

Collection and submission of the documents

To move to Slovenia, a foreigner requests the status of a temporary resident based on the following dossier:

• identity card for travel abroad;
• color photo size 35 x 45 millimeters;
• completed questionnaire of the established sample;
• medical insurance contract;
• confirmation of non-conviction;
• proof of means of subsistence;
• check for payment of the administrative fee.

The basic package of documents is supplemented by the immigrant with confirmation of the right to register residence in Slovenia, for example, a certificate of enrollment in a university or a marriage certificate with a citizen of the republic. The request for a residence permit is submitted by a foreigner to the consulate or embassy of the state on the territory of the country of residence. The duration of the waiting period for providing a response to the petition is not regulated by law.

Validity and extension of Slovenian permanent residence

The status of a permanent resident of Slovenia has unlimited validity and does not require renewal. If necessary, the applicant only replaces the resident card itself - for example, if they move and register in another city. Slovenian permanent residence can be annulled if its owner receives a prison term of 3 years, becomes a participant in terrorist or other organizations threatening state security. A foreigner has the right to claim the status of a citizen of the republic on general terms of naturalization after 10 years of total legal residence in the country.

Features of moving to Slovenia for permanent residence

For moving to Slovenia, a foreigner needs to start organizing the logistics of the route in advance, find a suitable place to live, determine the source of income. Persons immigrating to the republic with children can also find out in advance about free places in educational institutions and requirements for foreigners (for example, vaccination). The applicant should study the available options for moving to different cities, depending on their own qualifications for job search (if applicable) and requirements for the locality.

Moving without language knowledge

Immigration to Slovenia attracts residents of the post-Soviet space with a simple to learn and understandable to the ear state language of the Slavic group. Authorized government bodies organize free integration courses for foreigners - ZIP (Začetna integracija priseljencev). Applicants can listen to up to 180 academic hours, and after completing the training - receive a corresponding certificate. Immigrants can sign up for courses at the nearest administrative unit at the place of residence.

Social security

Social work centers in Slovenia provide financial support to local residents (including permanent residents) who find themselves in a difficult life situation. State funds allocate multi-purpose cash assistance, benefits for minor children, subsidies for paying for school meals, visiting a garden, medical services. The programs of the centers are aimed at simplifying the social integration of foreigners, mastering new professions and not only.

Labor market and salary

The unemployment rate in Slovenia is actively decreasing every month, and as of 2023, it is only 4.8%. The average monthly salary in the republic after tax deductions reaches 1300 EUR, with estimated expenses of about 750 EUR per person (excluding rent). The state produces a lot for export, has a developed light and heavy industry. There are many job vacancies in various fields, from trade to logistics, which are also available to immigrants.

Kindergarten and school

Preschool education in Slovenia is represented by private and public kindergartens, it is not mandatory. Admission to the nursery starts from 11 months of age, and after 3 years, children move to the older group. Kindergartens in Slovenia are fully paid by parents (if immigrants are foreign taxpayers) or partially (a certain amount is covered by the municipality). School education in the republic is mandatory for every child aged 6 to 15 years, lasts an average of 9 years and is free of charge.

Relocation of retired persons

There are no special conditions for immigration to Slovenia for persons who are on pension provision. If the applicant receives the corresponding payments from the treasury of the republic, he has the opportunity to apply for local residence. Pensioners can move to Slovenia to close relatives, or use another legal basis for legalizing their stay.

How much money is needed for relocation

Depending on the way of moving to Slovenia for permanent residence, a foreigner needs to buy tickets for air or ground transport, book tickets in hotels along the route (if applicable), rent or buy real estate for staying in the republic. Also, immigrants bear the costs of state fees, opening medical insurance, notary and translator services. Basic costs are presented in the table below.

Why it`s worth it to relocate to Slovenia

Reviews of people who have moved to Slovenia inform about such advantages of staying in the republic as a high level of security and healthcare, affordable cost of food and other basic needs, social guarantees and assistance to immigrants in integration. According to Numbeo data, the individual quality of life index in the country is 169.72 points, which is equated to the assessment “very high”. Foreigners note the simplicity of learning the Slovenian language, the friendliness of the indigenous inhabitants, the variety of vacancies for employment.

Among the disadvantages of staying in Slovenia, foreigners attribute the high cost of real estate. The price per square meter when buying an apartment in the city center averages 3500 EUR. Many immigrants are not satisfied with the high cost of utilities (maintenance of a house of 85 m2 costs about 250 EUR per month), queues for a doctor’s appointment, and paid kindergartens.

Reviews of those, who moved for permanent residence

According to the reviews of immigrants, it is worth moving to Slovenia for persons who have a permanent income of at least 1500 EUR per month or a qualification in demand in the republic. Foreigners often complain about the complexity of bureaucratic procedures: decisions on requests for granting resident status are made for months, and for naturalization in the state, you need to live at least 10 years. Businessmen are usually satisfied with a profit tax of 17% (lower than in Western European countries). However, for working people, there is a progressive taxation system (rate increase with increased profit), where income tax can reach 50% of the salary.

Life in Slovenia is characterized by a leisurely and measured rhythm: employees rarely stay at work, on Sunday all establishments (including grocery stores) are closed, and loud public incidents are rare for the republic. The country has a low crime rate and a high personal safety index, which is important for many immigrants. According to reviews, people wishing to find a job by profession should better move to a large city in Slovenia, for example, Bratislava, and freelancers and businessmen can settle in small settlements, where the infrastructure is also well developed.

Available options for legal relocation to Slovenia

To move to Slovenia for permanent residence, a foreigner can obtain a passport of the European Union state through a simplified repatriation procedure within 8 months. EU citizens have the opportunity to stay in the republic for an unlimited period of time and without additional bureaucratic requirements. To obtain a passport by roots, applicants can use professionals in the field of jurisprudence, who analyze the individual request of the client and recommend the best immigration programs. For details on quick and easy entry into the citizenship of an EU country, you can sign up for a free consultation with international law specialists.