Slovenian citizenship may be acquired by birth or by naturalisation. For foreigners, the most common route is naturalisation based on actual residence in Slovenia, while some applicants may qualify under simplified or extraordinary rules, including spouses of Slovenian citizens, descendants of Slovenian emigrants, refugees and stateless persons. Slovenia follows the principle of descent rather than birthplace alone.

Most often, people seek Slovenian citizenship because of the privileges they receive as a result. With a passport of an EU state, it is possible to bring business to new markets, acquire career prospects, travel without a visa almost all over the world, participate in EU grant and scholarship programs. Second citizenship is also useful in terms of possible immigration, for example, to move to the European Union for permanent residence together with close relatives without additional conditions.

A passport of the Republic of Slovenia according to the standard procedure for foreigners can be issued to a person who has been a resident of the Republic of Slovenia for ten years or more and has successfully integrated into society. The period of residence is shortened for refugees, stateless persons and spouses of Slovenes. There is also a simplified program for repatriates.

Migration legislation of Slovenia

The conditions for granting Slovenian citizenship are listed in the national act “O državljanstvu Republike Slovenije”. Additional provisions, important in particular for naturalization, are listed in the legal act “O tujcih” of 15.06.2011 with subsequent amendments.

In general, the migration policy of the Republic is relatively loyal, for example, there are no annual quotas for the number of residence permits issued, as in Estonia. On the other hand, the law “On Citizenship” requires to give up the native passport when naturalizing in Slovenia, which is not suitable for everyone. However, this rule does not apply to repatriates.

Who is entitled to Slovenian citizenship?

The following persons may apply for a Slovenian passport:

• immigrants who have been legally residing in the country for 10 years or more;
• repatriates who have at least one Slovenian ancestor in their family;
• spouses of citizens of the state after one year’s stay with a permanent residence permit;
• recognized refugees and stateless persons with a shortened period of settled residence;
• those who have exceptional service to the Republic;
• children, at least one of whose parents is a Slovene citizen.

Let’s look at who can qualify for Slovenian citizenship in the table below.

Route	Core requirement	Key note
By birth	At least one Slovenian parent	Not based on place of birth alone
Ordinary naturalisation	10 years residence, last 5 continuous	Adults, language, income, taxes, etc.
Marriage to a Slovenian citizen	Married 3 years + 1 year continuous residence	Simplified naturalisation
Descendant of a Slovenian emigrant	Direct line, special conditions	Needs proof and specific eligibility
Refugee / stateless person	5 years continuous residence	Special route
Extraordinary naturalisation	National interest	Exceptional cases

The basic prerequisite for Slovenian citizenship is proof of belonging to the country and its society, e.g., ethnic or due to long-term naturalization. You will also need to:

• demonstrate a legal and permanent source of funds to support yourself and dependent family members;
• learn Slovenian to a level sufficient for everyday communication and prove it at the examination;
• provide certificates of absence of criminal records (including those abroad) and tax debts;
• demonstrate a loyal attitude to the Republic and not pose a threat to national or public security;
• take part in a solemn oath ceremony if the application for citizenship is approved;
• prepare, properly execute (certify) and submit the required package of documents.

The required dossier depends on the grounds on which you want to apply for a Slovenian passport. The basic list of documents is as follows:

• home country passport for traveling abroad;
• a standard application form personally completed and signed;
• proof of livelihood;
• certificate of successful completion of a language test;
• a certificate of no criminal record from your country of origin;
• a receipt of the administrative fee for processing the request.

Additional documents and requirements for the applicant vary according to the reason for obtaining a Slovenian passport. For example, naturalized foreigners prove compliance with the period of residence in the republic and write a renunciation of their former citizenship. Repatriates can keep their current passport and supplement the general dossier with metric birth documents (their own and those of ascending relatives). For more detailed guidance on eligibility and documentation, it is recommended to contact a specialist.

Ways of obtaining Slovenian citizenship

There are three ways to obtain a Slovenian passport other than by birthright – by regular, accelerated naturalization or repatriation. In the first two cases, you will need to go through several immigration stages: open a residence permit, extend it and replace it with a permanent residence permit, integrate into society and only later apply for citizenship. The procedure for repatriates is much simpler and is suitable for those who have at least one ancestor who was or is Slovenian according to documents.

It is not possible to obtain a Slovenian passport for oneself or a child through childbirth in the country. Children born into foreign families receive the citizenship of their parents (or one of them). An exception is allowed for a stateless child who does not acquire any passport for reasons beyond his or her control. It is not possible to buy Slovenian citizenship either. As of 2026, the republic does not offer even a residence permit for investment, but grants citizenship for special services to the state.

Repatriation – Slovenian citizenship by roots

Repatriation is the restoration of citizenship rights to the original inhabitants of Slovenia and their direct descendants. Applications are accepted from relatives in the direct descending line up to the 4th generation inclusive, i.e., up to great-grandchildren. This is a significant advantage of the program, because in other European countries repatriates usually become descendants of former citizens up to a maximum of 2-3 degrees of kinship.

To restore citizenship by roots, you will need to prove that there was at least one Slovenian immigrant in your family. First you get a local residence permit, which effectively equates you with the rights of citizens of the Republic, including the right to family immigration. Twelve months after your move, you apply for a passport. As a repatriate, you can retain your previous citizenship.

In Slovenia there were active migration processes related to a number of wars of the twentieth century, the formation and disintegration of Yugoslavia. Therefore, it is possible to find the necessary roots for participation in the repatriation program in many people, even those who are unaware of their ancestry. Check your ancestry for free at a professional legal consultation.

General naturalization

Naturalization is the process of long-term residence in Slovenia and acquisition of stable ties with the society. As a standard procedure, it takes a minimum of 10 years from the opening of the first residence permit. Applications are accepted from adult applicants who have fulfilled all legal requirements and renounced their former citizenship. To start the naturalization process, it is necessary to open an immigration-type residence permit, for example, on the following popular grounds:

• Employment.
  It is possible to move to Slovenia after concluding an employment contract with a company from the republic. Specialists with high qualifications can count on a special document – the EU Blue Card with a number of privileges including immigration for the whole family. Foreigners in the European Union are employed on a residual principle, i.e., after the citizens of the association.
• Commercial activities.
  Slovenia grants the right of temporary residence to those who start a company in the territory of the Republic or work as an individual entrepreneur. It is required to have funds for self-sufficiency and realization of the planned project, as well as to enter the business in the Commercial Register. The amount of the authorized capital is not regulated by law.
• Family reasons.
  Slovenian residents and citizens may invite legal and de facto spouses, minor and unmarried children and, in special cases, other close dependent relatives to live with them. Slovenian husbands and wives are immediately granted local permanent residence.
• Self-employed professional activity.
  Members of the European Voluntary Service, scientific researchers and teachers, and religious figures, for example, have the right to move to Slovenia. In each of the cases, you need to provide information about where and under what conditions you will engage in professional activities to the republic.
• Obtaining education.
  A temporary residence permit is issued to students who are enrolled as full-time students at a Slovenian university or who come to the country on international exchange programs. This residence permit only counts for 50% of the naturalization period. You cannot open a permanent residence permit with it, but you can, for example, get a job after graduation and change your residence card.

It is important to understand that not all types of Slovenian residence permit count towards the period of residence in the country and allow you to apply for citizenship. For example, you will not even be able to apply for a residence permit if you came to the country for seasonal work, as a business traveler or as an employee transferred within a company. Cannot naturalize the holders of the status of temporary protection, which since 2022 is granted in the European Union to citizens of Ukraine.

Accelerated naturalization

Lawful sposes of Slovenian citizens can apply for a passport of the Republic one year after moving. This is allowed if the marriage was concluded at least 36 months ago. Authorities closely monitor cases of fictitious family unions to prevent illegal migration.

Recognized refugees, beneficiaries of international protection and stateless persons are entitled to accelerated naturalization after 5 years of permanent residence in Slovenia. In this case, you can keep your native passport if you have one. Also, the period of residency is reduced to seven years for those who have obtained a degree from a Slovenian university.

For special merits

The authorities in Slovenia have the right to grant a passport to someone whose services to the country are recognized as outstanding. This may be, for example, significant achievements in the field of economy, national culture or sports, which have contributed to the international reputation of the Republic. The list of requirements for the applicant is determined individually, depending on the decision of the relevant ministry.

Terms and cost of citizenship registration

To determine the price of acquiring Slovenian citizenship, you should summarize the costs of immigration procedures, notary and interpreter services, and legal support. The most expensive is naturalization, when you need to live in the country for ten years (rent real estate, pay daily expenses), several times to extend the residence permit and open a residence permit. Repatriates and spouses of Slovenes incur less costs. The waiting time for a passport also depends on the basis. Detailed information is provided in the table below.

Method of citizenship issuance	Cost of immigration procedures (approximate)	Waiting time for a passport
Naturalization	from 1000	from 10 years
Accelerated naturalization	from 500	5–7 years
Repatriation/marriage	from 300	12 months

How to obtain Slovenian citizenship under the simplified program

When applying for Slovenian citizenship through repatriation, you will need to:

1. Obtain a permanent residence card.
   Repatriates are granted a Slovenian permanent residence without first opening a residence permit and residing in the country. You immediately request a permanent resident card, with which you can live in the country for an unlimited period of time together with close relatives.
2. Comply with the period of residency and prepare documents.
   Within 12 months of moving in, you will assimilate into society, learn the Slovenian language, find a source of income and solve other pressing issues. Toward the end of this period, you should start compiling your dossier, supplementing the standard list with birth certificates (your own, your Slovenian ancestor’s and intermediate relatives’).
3. Apply for Slovenian citizenship.
   You personally apply to the nearest administrative office (Upravna enota), fill in the application form, submit the dossier and pay the state duty. Then you have to wait for a decision, take an oath, obtain citizenship and issue a passport.

Сitizenship for Slovenian emigrants and descendants is the most affordable way to obtain a second passport. You will not have to live in the country for years, take an integration exam, or renounce your passport in your home country. With the support of specialized lawyers, it takes up to a year to obtain citizenship. Step-by-step support of specialists guarantees a successful result without unnecessary worries and large expenses.

Procedure for obtaining Slovenian citizenship

Naturalization in Slovenia is a rather long and complicated process in which you need to:

1. Find a reason to legally move to the republic.
   You must find a reason to open a residence permit of the immigration type, make sure you meet the conditions for residency and collect the necessary documents. You can do this on your own or with legal assistance.
2. Apply for and obtain a residence permit.
   You should apply to the Slovenian consulate or embassy with the residence permit documents and the stamp duty payment receipt. If your residency request is approved, you can move to the republic and apply for an address registration at the police station.
3. Renew the residence permit and apply for a permanent residence permit.
   Then you periodically renew your residence permit at the local Upravna enota, keeping the reason to live in Slovenia. After 5 years, you can also get a permanent resident card here, if you meet the other conditions (e.g., you know the national language at A2 level).
4. Prepare to request citizenship.
   With a permanent residence permit you will need to live in Slovenia for another 5 years (with standard naturalization), after which you can apply for a passport. Beforehand, you take a national language test, unless you belong to exceptional categories (e.g., you have not graduated from a local university).
5. Apply for Slovenian citizenship.
   The request for naturalization is also submitted to the Upravna enota and usually takes longer to process than in the case of repatriation. If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony. After the ceremony, you can proceed with the processing of your national documents.

Where to Apply

Applications for Slovenian citizenship must be submitted to the competent authority, depending on the applicant’s place of residence and the legal basis for the application.

• In Slovenia. Applications can be filed at any local administrative unit (upravna enota).
• Extraordinary naturalisation. Applications may also be submitted directly to the Ministry of the Interior.
• Abroad. Applications can be lodged through a Slovenian diplomatic mission or consular post in the applicant’s country of residence.

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are prepared in advance, as the competent authority may request additional information depending on the specific legal basis for citizenship.

Denial and revocation of citizenship

A Slovenian passport cannot be issued if it is against the national interest. For example, people with a criminal record for serious crimes and those who have been involved in actions against the state are refused. Often requests are rejected because of formal errors, for example, you have incorrectly compiled a dossier or forgot about the notarized translation. Those who do not meet any of the conditions of the immigration program are rejected. The decision of the authorities can be challenged, although in such cases the court usually takes the side of the state. It is better to seek legal advice to avoid such situations.

Deprivation of Slovenian citizenship usually concerns naturalized foreigners. This can happen if it is established that the passport was obtained through fraud or forged documents. Citizenship can be revoked if you have not renounced your legal status in your home country as promised in the declaration. Passport is taken away from those who damage international or other interests of the republic, for example, working for foreign intelligence.

Benefits of Slovenian citizenship

Slovenian passport gives you the right to visit more than 160 world countries without applying for a visa at an embassy, as well as:

• to be employed in any of the EU countries under the same conditions as the native population;
• represent the interests of your company within the EU market and internationally;
• obtain European citizenship for children and accelerated citizenship for husband/wife;
• apply for social and financial support from the state, including EU sponsorship programs for businesses;
• benefit from developed health care and education systems free of charge;
• immigrate to a favorite EU country together with your spouse and children;
• open entry permits and residence permits in popular countries such as the USA and China in a simplified procedure.

Dual citizenship in Slovenia

Slovenia does not generally rely on international agreements to regulate dual citizenship. Instead, whether a person may retain their original nationality depends on the legal basis under which Slovenian citizenship is acquired.

In most cases, ordinary naturalisation requires applicants to provide proof of release from their previous citizenship, or evidence that such release will be granted. However, Slovenian law предусматривает ряд исключений, при которых отказ от первого гражданства не требуется. These may apply, for example, to stateless persons, refugees, or in cases where renunciation is not possible or would cause significant hardship.

Applicants acquiring citizenship under extraordinary naturalisation or specific special provisions may also be allowed to retain their original nationality. In addition, EU citizens may be exempt from the requirement to renounce their citizenship where reciprocity exists between states.

For descendants of Slovenian emigrants (often referred to as repatriates), dual citizenship may also be permitted, provided that the eligibility criteria for that specific route are met. In practice, when holding multiple citizenships, each country typically treats the individual only as its own citizen under its domestic law.

Feedback from immigrants who have obtained a Slovenian passport

According to immigrants, naturalization in Slovenia is a very long and complicated process. Migration authorities do not work fast enough, as a result of which the consideration of requests at each stage can be delayed for months. The list of requirements to the applicant is long, including demonstration of financial security. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for an EU passport together with international law specialists in order to avoid mistakes and save money.

What to Expect in 2026

As of now, 2026 should not be presented as a year of confirmed major changes to Slovenian citizenship rules. The official Slovenian government sources currently describe the existing routes to citizenship and the requirements for naturalisation, including ordinary naturalisation, simplified naturalisation for certain categories, and extraordinary naturalisation. Under the rules currently published, ordinary naturalisation still requires 10 years of actual residence in Slovenia, including the last 5 years continuously, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, a Slovenian language certificate at the required level, no serious criminal issues, settled tax obligations, and an oath to respect the constitutional order.

At the same time, no clear official source has been published confirming a general 2026 reform such as extending the residence requirement from 10 to 12 years, introducing a mandatory history-and-culture exam for all applicants, or increasing standard processing times to 18–24 months. Until such amendments are formally adopted and published, speculative forecasts should be avoided. A more accurate approach is to state that citizenship rules may change through future amendments to the Citizenship Act and related regulations.

One officially confirmed development concerns Slovenia’s ratification of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. According to the government, implementation of the convention will require an amendment to Article 9 of the Citizenship Act in relation to children who would otherwise be unable to acquire citizenship at birth. However, this is a targeted legislative adjustment, not a broad announced reform of the standard naturalisation framework for 2026.

For applicants, the practical conclusion is straightforward: before submitting an application, the current rules should always be verified on the official GOV.SI citizenship page and in the eUprava application guidance, as these sources reflect the operative requirements and filing procedures in force at the time of application.

Assistance in applying for a second citizenship

If you want to secure a Slovenian passport, you should enlist the support of Relocation Compass specialized lawyers. They will conduct a professional analysis of your metric documents and recommend the best immigration program with minimal costs and a short waiting period. International lawyers will provide you with qualified assistance in obtaining Slovenian citizenship at every stage of the procedure. This will allow you to be sure of a successful outcome. You can make an appointment for a free consultation to obtain a second EU passport as early as 2026.