The repatriation procedure in the Republic of Slovenia gives you the opportunity to obtain local citizenship by descent in an accelerated procedure – just 12 months after your move. It is a simplified program that aims to return ethnic inhabitants of the country and their descendants in a direct descending line to their homeland. The state has been involved in many important historical events that took place in Central Europe over the past centuries. For this reason, many foreigners, with the right legal approach, can find the necessary roots to participate in the repatriation procedure.

At the free legal consultation, you can find out if you are eligible for the simplified program. The Relocation Compass migration specialist will check your documents and inform you of the result.

What is the Slovenian repatriation program?

The restoration of Slovenian citizenship in an accelerated procedure is regulated by article 12 of the national law “O državljanstvu”. The Republic’s passport is granted to emigrants and their descendants up to and including the 4th generation if it is in the national interest. Before gaining independence in June 1991, the republic changed its borders and status several times. For example, in the twentieth century, one part of the country was under the rule of Italy, the other was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (future Yugoslavia). During World War II, the republic was annexed by Germany.

Repeated historical changes made many Slovenes to leave their native country – either forced (for example, due to harassment by the National Socialists) or by choice. Some of the ethnic inhabitants also remained in lands that later belonged to other states. Today, the Republic supports the repatriation of the indigenous population, in particular by giving them the opportunity to return to their homeland, immediately apply for permanent residence and subsequently apply for a Slovenian passport in an accelerated procedure.

Advantages of obtaining Slovenian citizenship by repatriation

The main advantage of obtaining a Slovenian passport by repatriation is the ability to quickly obtain a second citizenship in an EU country just one year after moving. For comparison, standard naturalization in the republic takes 10 years and requires renunciation of legal status in the home country. Also after acquiring a Slovenian passport, the following opportunities become available to you:

• free travel to more than 160 countries around the world without having to apply to a consulate for a visa;
• official work in any of the European Union countries on the same terms as native residents;
• conducting commercial activities in the country and abroad, including the Single Market of Europe;
• simplified entry permits to popular states, including opening of multi-visas to the USA and Canada;
• simple reunification with family members, passport issuance for children and subsequent descendants by birthright;
• unlimited residence in any of the EU countries together with close relatives;
• participation in EU financial support programs, such as grants for businessmen;
• access to the European systems of education, health care, and social policy.

Relocation Compass international law specialists can help you determine the best way to obtain an EU passport with all the rights and privileges you are entitled to. Learn more during a free consultation.

General conditions of the program and requirements for repatriates

Applications for repatriation are accepted from adult foreigners who have resided in Slovenia for at least 12 months in an official status (as residents). Your task is to prove your origins through documentation, usually birth certificates (your own and those of your ascendant ancestors). Native Slovenes and their descendants up to their great-grandchildren can apply for a passport. You must also:

• have an official and stable source of income to support yourself and your dependents (e.g., minor children);
• have sufficient knowledge of the national language of the republic for everyday communication and have this confirmed by law;
• demonstrate law-abiding behavior, in particular, no criminal record and no tax debts.

A passport is issued to a foreigner if it does not jeopardize public order or the national security of Slovenia. To become a citizen, you will need to take part in a solemn oath ceremony. Repatriates, unlike naturalized immigrants, are not required to renounce their passport in their home country.

Required documents

To obtain Slovenian citizenship by descent you will need:

• a completed application form with personal data and citizenship request;
• a passport for traveling abroad or a similar identity document;
• proof of means to support yourself and family members;
• metric documents (for yourself and relatives in the ascending line);
• certificate of criminal record from your country of origin;
• certificate of knowledge of the state language (or its equivalent);
• proof of paid administrative fees;
• proof of legal residence in the country for 12 months or more.

Procedure for obtaining Slovenian citizenship by roots

1. Background analysis with a specialized lawyer.
   The migration specialist checks your documents, on the basis of which he informs you about the possibility of participating in the simplified program and draws up a personal step-by-step action plan.
2. Issuance of a resident card.
   As a repatriate, you obtain the right of permanent residence in Slovenia by applying to the diplomatic mission in your home country. With a residence card you can immigrate to Europe and also request family reunification.
3. Relocation and residence in the republic.
   You need to live in Slovenia for a year or more before applying for citizenship. You will need to make an address registration at the police and have health insurance.
4. Applying for citizenship.
   You apply for citizenship at the local municipality where you are registered in Slovenia. The exact time limit for processing requests is not regulated by law. After the application is approved, you participate in an oath ceremony.
5. Obtaining a national passport.
   You can also apply for a Slovenian passport at the nearest administrative unit. You will need to be fingerprinted, photographed and wait 5 working days for your ID card.

Cost of obtaining a Slovenian passport by repatriation

Repatriation is the most affordable way to become a Slovenian citizen, especially when compared to standard naturalization. You will first need to open a residence permit by paying a fee of 90.6 EUR, as well as 15 EUR for the residence card itself. When applying for citizenship, you also pay an administrative fee of 195 EUR. Issuing a national passport (eID-card) will cost approximately 30 EUR. You pay separately for notarization and translation of documents, as well as assistance of international law specialists.

Dual citizenship in Slovenia

Standard naturalization in Slovenia requires foreigners to renounce their previous citizenship. However, this rule does not apply to those who restore their legal status by descent. When applying for a passport by descent, you may retain a similar document in your home country if the laws of your state allow it. In this case, each country will consider you only its own citizen, with a corresponding list of rights and privileges.

Possible difficulties and how to overcome them

The main difficulty that can be encountered in restoring Slovenian citizenship is the need to prove your ethnic or territorial belonging to the country through documentation. Not everyone’s family archives are complete enough, especially if you need to find the birth certificate of a distant ancestor (e.g., a great-great-grandfather). Not every person knows where exactly to turn to get the metric documents of the relative in question. In addition, requests from private individuals are often ignored by state institutions or are considered very slowly.

The repatriation procedure will require you to have sufficient knowledge of the Slovenian language to communicate. This is necessary in particular when dealing with the authorities. Even if you have all the necessary documents in hand, they may need to be officially translated and certified in accordance with the legal regulations of the Republic. Migration rules in the EU change frequently, which makes it easy to make mistakes during the procedure.

Applicants are often rejected for Slovenian citizenship, usually due to the submission of incomplete or incorrectly completed documents. A request may be rejected if the applicant has made mistakes in the application or does not meet any of the requirements. Problems may also arise with the sequence of actions – it is necessary to clearly understand where to start, where to apply, how to monitor the result and what to do next until the passport is received.

To ensure that you get a Slovenian passport in a short period of time and without unnecessary effort, it is worth enlisting the support of Relocation Compass international law experts. Step-by-step support of specialized lawyers will give you confidence in a successful result and will minimize your involvement in immigration procedures.

Assistance in obtaining Slovenian citizenship by descent

International law specialists will help you to obtain a Slovenian passport without large investments and long waiting times. Cooperation with Relocation Compass lawyers is based on an official contract, which protects your rights and guarantees a successful result. Specialists will independently conduct a professional search for roots for Slovenian citizenship, request missing documents from archival institutions, undertake the tasks of forming the correct dossier (with translation, notarization, apostilization).

A personal lawyer will help you with the organization of appointments at government agencies, will give detailed instructions on the successful completion of the necessary procedures, will monitor the progress of the request and inform you about the results.

From the feedback of immigrants, we can conclude that the assistance of specialists in the process of obtaining second citizenship is indispensable, especially for those who do not understand the nuances of Slovenian law. The Relocation Compass lawyers explain in detail all the nuances of the repatriation procedure and are there for you at every stage, responding promptly to your questions and requests. To find out more about it, book a free consultation.