A residence permit of Slovenia is a document issued to a foreigner for a specified period of stay in the country (usually up to 12 months with the right to renew). The residence permit allows its holder to also visit Schengen countries without obtaining an entry permit.

Applicants can apply for a resident card of the Republic of Slovenia if they have a legal basis for staying in the country. The applicant must also meet a number of conditions, such as the absence of a criminal record and the presence of financial security. A foreigner applies for a Slovenian residence permit at the consulate or embassy in the country of residence.

Advantages of Slovenian residence permit

With a Slovenian resident card, a foreigner receives the following rights and privileges:

• Residence in the country for a specified period with an unlimited number of border crossings;
• Movement across Schengen countries without visa restrictions (up to 90 days in total out of 180 consecutive days);
• Obtaining tax residency of the republic six months after moving (for example, for future pension contributions);
• With certain types of residence permits - access to the European labor market with the possibility of having the same working conditions that are provided for the indigenous population;
• The opportunity to receive education (including at the state’s expense) in local universities, which is also available to the applicant’s children;
• The prospect of naturalization in the republic and obtaining a European Union passport.

Types of residence permit in Slovenia

Residence permits in Slovenia can be classified by the method of registration, for example, for:

• business conduction;
• family reunification;
• receiving education;
• special activities.

In addition to the usual residence permit, the republic has a single permit for temporary residence and work - eBDP (Enotna dovoljenja). This document allows a foreigner to immigrate and get a job in a local company.

Ways to apply for residence permit in Slovenia

According to the “Law on Foreigners”, applicants can obtain a permit for temporary residence in Slovenia on the following grounds:

• employment;
• self-employment (through business);
• employee migration within the corporation;
• highly qualified employment;
• receiving education;
• family reunification;
• humanitarian reasons;
• other cases;
• EU resident card.

The primary resident card of Slovenia is provided to the applicant for a maximum of one year with the right to renew. The deadlines for making a decision on the request are not regulated by law, but according to the reviews of immigrants, it takes up to 2-3 months from the moment of application to issue a residence permit in the republic. Most types of residence in the country can be extended if the applicant retains a legal reason for staying in the country.

A foreigner can claim the status of a permanent resident after 5 years from receiving the first residence permit. The total census of residence for naturalization and obtaining Slovenian citizenship is 10 years. The costs of opening a residence permit (administrative fees) in the republic are specified in the table below.

Employment

Foreigners who have been hired for a vacancy in a private or state local organization can arrange a permit for temporary residence and work in Slovenia. The inviting company in the country arranges a request for the employment of an immigrant. After approval from the authorities, the parties sign an employment contract, with which the applicant visits the diplomatic representation of Slovenia and requests a resident card. It is possible to employ a foreigner as a seasonal worker with a permit for a period of 6-9 months.

Self-employment

Self-employed persons have the opportunity to obtain residency of Slovenia subject to the approval of the Commercial Register. The applicant can open a business and work in the profession as an individual entrepreneur without the possibility of employment in other companies of the republic. The state does not set limits on the amount of start-up capital of an individual entrepreneur, however, the applicant must have sufficient financial security for independent living - approximately 500-600 EUR per month as of 2023.

Employee migration within the company

Persons sent on a business trip or transferred to the republican branch of an international organization can become Slovenian residents. A residence permit is also granted to persons for intra-corporate transfers in EU countries. The applicant needs to have an employment contract or similar confirmation of activity that will be carried out in the republic when applying.

Highly qualified employment

Along with other EU countries, Slovenia provides foreigners with an EU Blue Card - a special type of residence and work permit for persons with in-demand qualifications. The applicant must be employed in the republic in a specialty, have the appropriate education and future salary in the amount of one and a half average rates for the chosen profession in the country. Unlike a regular residence permit, the EU Blue Card is issued to a foreigner immediately for two years with the right to reissue for another 36 months.

Education

Arranging a Slovenian residence permit is available for foreigners who plan to study in the republic. This category of applicants includes students of local and foreign universities (within the framework of student exchange programs), graduate students, doctoral students. Foreigners can attend language courses in Slovenia to obtain a residence permit, come as unpaid interns or persons wishing to improve their qualification level in the existing specialty. This type of temporary residence permit allows applicants to work, as well as apply for a resident card to search for suitable vacancies after completing their studies.

Family reunification

Persons planning to move to a close relative from among the owners of a passport, residence permit or permanent residence of the republic can become Slovenian residents. Suitable family members are legal spouses, children under the age of 18, parents of a minor host party. Other relatives of Slovenian citizens or residents can request a residence permit, provided that they or the inviting person require constant care and/or provision. Owners of a residence permit in the republic can invite family members to them, provided that they have lived in the country for more than a year, and their status is valid for at least another 12 months.

Humanitarian reasons

A permit for temporary residence in Slovenia is granted to recognized refugees, persons in need of temporary asylum due to military aggression, applicants for international protection for various reasons (for example, due to persecution at home due to Nazism or racism). A residence permit is also granted to victims of labor or sexual exploitation, provided they cooperate with law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating the incident.

Other cases

Resident status of Slovenia is available for:

• volunteers within accredited European Union programs;
• teachers of educational institutions;
• religious figures;
• employees of research organizations;
• property owners in the republic, living in it;
• other applicants provided that this meets the interests of the state.

The corresponding legislative basis for a foreigner should be confirmed documentarily. For example, when buying real estate in Slovenia, the applicant provides a certificate of property registration to the authorized bodies, in case of working in a local research institute - an official invitation. It is possible to arrange a residence permit for pensioners, recipients of compensation for the period of unemployment or maternity leave in the republic. Residence in Slovenia for investments is not provided, however, the applicant can invest funds in the purchase of a residential object or opening a business and arrange a residence permit on this basis.

EU resident card

Citizens of the European Union have the opportunity to live permanently in Slovenia without obtaining the status of a local resident. Applicants just need to register the address of stay in the republic, contacting the appropriate administrative unit (municipality) within 3 months from the moment of moving. If a relative who does not have an EU passport immigrates with a foreigner, he should arrange a local residence permit for family reunification.

Rights of EU and EEA citizens in Slovenia

Arranging a residence permit in Slovenia for foreigners requires a reason for moving to the country. The exception is made by citizens of the European Union, who have the opportunity to live in the republic for an unlimited period without additional documentary requirements. EU passport holders have the right to work, study, serve in banks and hospitals in Slovenia on the same terms as the indigenous population.

For Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, there is an opportunity to arrange citizenship of the European Union through an accelerated procedure within 12 months. Applicants do not need to demonstrate income level, knowledge of a foreign language or previously live abroad. You can check the right to receive an EU passport under a simplified repatriation program (for example, in Romania, Poland or Bulgaria) with the help of migration specialists.

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Slovenia

Persons wishing to become owners of resident status in Slovenia, step by step perform the following steps:

1. Study of migration legislation and preparation of documents.
   The applicant chooses the basis for obtaining a residence permit and forms a suitable dossier. Basic documents include a foreign passport, color photo, medical insurance, certificates of no criminal record and financial security. To the dossier, the applicant attaches confirmation of the right to obtain a residence permit (for example, an invitation from a republican company) and a check for payment of an administrative fee in the amount of 102 EUR. The foreigner translates foreign documents into Slovenian with a sworn translator, affixes an apostille or certifies at a notary.
2. Appointment at the consulate and submission of documents.
   The applicant organizes a visit to the diplomatic representation of Slovenia in the territory of the state of residence in order to apply for a permit for temporary residence in the republic. At the reception, it is also necessary to go through the dactyloscopy procedure for the future manufacture of a resident card.
3. Receiving a residence permit and relocation.
   Upon approval of the application, the foreigner personally picks up the resident card, with which he can immigrate to Slovenia. For the registration of this document, it is additionally necessary to pay 15 EUR. Upon arrival, the applicant must visit the municipality within eight days and register a place of residence in the republic.
4. Extension of a residence permit and obtaining a permanent residence permit.
   The primary Slovenian residence permit is always issued to foreigners for a maximum of 12 months. If the grounds for staying in the republic are preserved, the applicant can reissue a permit for temporary residence, applying to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The applicant has the right to apply for permanent residence in Slovenia after 5 years from the opening of the first residence permit.

Refusal to issue a residence permit

A permit for temporary residence in Slovenia is not issued to persons who are trying to obtain it using fake documents or unreliable information about themselves. A frequent reason for refusing a residence permit application is a lack of certain certificates or incorrect dossier preparation. Requests for a resident card are not approved for persons convicted of various crimes (including abroad), and those who may pose a threat to the republic. Applicants can avoid refusal to receive a Slovenian residence permit by contacting migration lawyers who take on most of the tasks in the procedure.

Reviews of those who received a residence permit of Slovenia

Persons who have moved to Slovenia note in their reviews the smooth work of migration authorities, the ability to easily arrange resident status thanks to a large number of legal grounds. Foreigners like the simplicity of adaptation, in particular - the friendliness of the population of the republic and the state language easy to learn for Slavs. Applicants attribute to the disadvantages of moving a long naturalization in the republic (from 10 years) and the need to regularly extend the residence permit, proving the legality of staying in the country. Many people immigrate to Slovenia under the repatriation program or with a passport of another EU country, avoiding bureaucratic obstacles.