The Slovenian residence permit card is a document that allows an immigrant to reside in Slovenia for more than 3 months. It also gives the right to cross the borders of EU and Schengen countries without a visa, service in banks and medical institutions of the country. An application for a residence permit can be submitted by a foreigner without a criminal record, who documents the right to long-term residence in Slovenia. Residency status in the European Union can be obtained under an accelerated program. Ask our specialists how to obtain an EU passport within 4 months to immigrate to Slovenia on a long term.

Types of residence permit in Slovenia

In 2025, the legislation of the Republic of Slovenia provides for the right to obtain two types of residence permit:

1. Temporary (fixed term).
   Granted to immigrants who have just arrived in the country for more than 90 days and have documented proof of the need to reside in the country. The residence card is issued for 12 months, unless otherwise stipulated by the migration legislation.
2. Permanent.
   The Permanent Residency Card gives the right to stay in the territory of the country without any time limit. Such a residence card can be issued after 2-5 years of residence in Slovenia with the status of residence permit.

Resident card contains basic information about the holder: name and surname, date of birth, country of citizenship, biometric data (photo, signature, fingerprints).

Grounds for applying for a residence permit in Slovenia

The Aliens Act of 2011 regulates the conditions of stay of citizens of other countries on the territory of Slovenia. With a short-term visa or within the visa-free regime, foreigners can stay in the state for up to 3 months without the right to employment. For long-term residence it is necessary to obtain a residence permit on one of the following grounds.

Employment

A residence permit in Slovenia can be obtained on the basis of employment.

Eligible to apply are:

• labor immigrants who have concluded a contract with a Slovenian employer;
• foreigners who have moved as part of an intra-corporate transfer;
• seasonal workers;
• employees of foreign companies who have come on a business trip;
• highly qualified specialists with an EU Blue Card;
• residents of border areas who come to Slovenia to work (daily labor migrants).

To obtain a residence permit on this basis, it is necessary to supplement the basic dossier with documents proving the fact of employment in the country, e.g., a contract with a local employer. It should be noted that the application for the status is submitted at the Slovenian embassy/consulate abroad. If it is not possible to apply to the diplomatic mission, the applicant’s employer in the Republic is entitled to submit the request for employment. As an exception, an immigrant legally residing in Slovenia who is:

• a professional athlete, coach or other specialist who is registered in the unified register of athletes;
• a religious figure;
• an accredited foreign journalist;
• an immigrant who has a certificate from a competent Slovenian ministry that he or she is of special interest for the economy, science, culture or education of the Republic.

The validity period of the first residence permit card for each category of foreigners is given in the table.

Study and internship

Studying at a university in Slovenia (including participation in international student exchange programs) is the basis for obtaining a residence permit. A certificate from the university or other proof of enrollment in the course is required to prove the need for long-term residence in the country.

The first residence permit card is issued for one year. The immigrant can repeatedly extend his status for the same period until the completion of studies. During education, the student has the right to be employed by local companies. University graduates can extend their stay in Slovenia by obtaining a residence permit on the basis of employment or establishment of a business. The residence card is issued for 9 months without the right for further extension.

A foreigner who has come to Slovenia for the purpose of internship can also obtain a residence permit. The permit is issued for the period of the internship, but for a maximum of one year without the right to extend it. During the internship, the immigrant may be employed by Slovenian companies. The basic dossier must be supplemented with documents proving that the internship has taken place.

Research practice

A researcher, university lecturer or scientific worker can obtain a residence permit in Slovenia. In order to obtain residency, you will need to sign an employment contract with a university or research organization and attach this document to your dossier. The first residence permit is issued for one year. The immigrant has the right to extend the resident card multiple times for the same period, if the conditions of its initial receipt are preserved.

Persons who have a valid Slovenian residence permit issued on the basis of research may also obtain a residence permit for the purpose of finding a job or establishing a business. In this case, the residence card is issued for a maximum period of 9 months without the right to extend it.

Entrepreneurial activity

It is possible to obtain a Slovenian residence permit through business by registering as an individual entrepreneur. You will need to obtain a tax number to start a project. You can register as an individual entrepreneur online through the government portal SPOT or in person during a visit to the branch office of the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Documents and Services.

An individual entrepreneur receives a residence permit for one year. After this period, the businessman has the right to extend his permit multiple times for a maximum of 24 months at a time. Proof of registration in Slovenia as a sole proprietor is attached to the basic dossier.

Family reunification

If the holder of a residence permit in Slovenia has lived in the country for at least one year, he/she can invite the closest family members to the country. They will receive a residence card for 12 months with the right to multiple extensions (each time for 2 years).

The following persons may immigrate:

• spouse or civil partner;
• minor and unmarried children (including the wife/husband or cohabiting partner);
• parents (if the inviting person is a person under 18 years of age);
• mother/father (including partner);
• adult and unmarried children, if according to the legislation of the home country they cannot live separately from a resident of Slovenia.

The applicant shall attach to the basic dossier the documents confirming the relationship with the person inviting him/her (marriage certificate, birth certificate).

Compliance with the condition to reside for a year is not required if the inviting person is:

• EU Blue Card holder;
• parent/guardian of the invited person;
• seconded foreign specialist;
• researcher.

Adult members of the resident’s family will need to attend language courses in Slovenia in order to extend the residence permit. If the residence permit expired before October 31, 2024, it will be sufficient to attach proof of enrollment in the course. From November 2024, a certificate of proficiency in the Slovenian language at a level not lower than A1 will be required. This condition is waived for persons who:

• are over 60 years of age;
• are being educated (or have completed their studies) at a local educational institution;
• have previously successfully passed a language exam;
• cannot take the test due to health reasons (a medical certificate confirming this fact will be required);
• are family members of the holder of the EU Blue Card, residence permit issued on the basis of research activities, intra-corporate transfer;
• have proof that family reunification is in the interest of the Republic.

Volunteer activities

Volunteers have the right to obtain a residence permit in Slovenia for the duration of their work, but initially for a maximum of one year. The status can be renewed repeatedly by submitting a contract confirming the activity in the country.

Other grounds

A residence permit in Slovenia for a year can also be issued to an immigrant who has a valid reason for living in the state. For example, this method of legalization is suitable for pensioners receiving social benefits in the country of citizenship, but planning to move to Slovenia. Also, a residence permit can be issued:

• in case of purchase of real estate;
• in case of adoption;
• for investments in various areas of the economy (including real estate, business);
• when applying for social benefits due to unemployment;
• in case of maternity leave.

For 2 years, a foreigner who cannot be expelled from the territory of the state is entitled to receive a Slovenian residence permit card. The main reason for inability to leave the country is the threat to life and health in the country of citizenship/permanent residence due to religion, political beliefs and other reasons. For example, such a residence permit is suitable for Israelis who live in towns bordering the Gaza Strip and have a direct threat to life.

A temporary residence permit can be issued to foreigners who are of special interest to the Slovenian government. The maximum period of validity of the residence card in such a case is 5 years. In order to obtain a residence permit, it will be required that one of the state bodies authorized by the government (e.g., the Ministry of Culture) justify the need for a foreigner to reside in the country for a longer period of time.

EU resident card

Long-term residents of other EU countries can apply for a Slovenian residence permit. They do not need to apply for a visa to enter the republic – a residence permit must be applied for if the expected period of residence in Slovenia exceeds 90 days. Long-term residents of the EU can apply at the state authorities of the republic after entry.

Procedure of obtaining a residence permit in Slovenia

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit for Slovenia includes the following steps:

1. Request for a D visa and residence permit.
   The application is submitted to the Slovenian embassy/consulate abroad. Type D visa (issue period of about 15 days) is required to enter the Republic before the decision to acquire a residence permit is received. After applying for temporary residence, a certificate confirming this fact is issued.
2. Entry and registration.
   The issued D visa entitles the holder to enter Slovenia. No later than the 8th day after crossing the border, you must register your place of residence with the city administration. You can also notify the local authorities by sending an e-mail or via the government portal E-Uprava.
3. Obtaining a residence permit.
   A temporary residence card can be obtained abroad, but if the immigrant has been fingerprinted at an embassy/consulate and entered Slovenia on the basis of a D visa, the permit can be obtained in Slovenia.

Documents required to apply for a Slovenian residence permit:

• Travel passport.
  It is required that the validity of the document is 3 months longer than the expected period of residence in Slovenia.
• Photo.
  A color photo with a resolution of at least 600 DPI, 35 x 45 mm in size, taken on white thin glossy photo paper must be submitted.
• Health Insurance.
  The policy must be valid in the territory of the European Union with a minimum coverage amount of 30,000 EUR.
• Proof of means for stay.
  It is necessary that the income certificate (or other substitute document) should state that the immigrant receives monthly income from 339,42 to 732,17 EUR depending on the basis.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
  The document must be requested from the country of citizenship a maximum of 3 months before applying for a residence permit in Slovenia.

It is also necessary to prove that there is a basis for requesting temporary residence status, e.g., an employment contract. All documents issued abroad in a language other than Slovenian must be translated and legalized. The translation must be done by a court interpreter who is approved by the Ministry of Justice.

Terms and costs of the registration

The processing time for Slovenian residence permit application is about 15 days, and the same period of time will be required to process the application for renewal of the residence card. In the table below we will look at the fees that the applicant also has to pay.

Usually, immigrants pay about 208 EUR of state fees. The final cost of temporary residence in Slovenia depends on the cost of a translator and a notary (for legalization of documents). There are also more affordable ways to immigrate to the EU, where there is no need to pay state fees. You can learn more about expedited legalization procedures from a specialist of the Relocation Compass company.

Renewal of residence permit and obtaining Slovenian citizenship

After 5 years of residence in Slovenia with a residence permit it is possible to apply for the status of a permanent resident of the Republic. From November 1, 2024, all applicants will have to pass a test for knowledge of the Slovenian language. The required level is not lower than A2. Family members are entitled to receive a residence permit after 2 years:

• citizens of the republic;
• holders of a Slovenian residence permit card;
• refugees.

The time of residence in Slovenia will be counted only half of the time if the foreigner had a residence permit on the basis of study or internship. The following are not eligible for a residence permit:

• seasonal workers;
• foreigners who came on a business trip or intra-corporate transfer;
• daily labor immigrants;
• persons who have received temporary protection in the country.

In order to become a citizen of Slovenia it is necessary to live in the Republic (fulfill the residency requirement) for a total of 10 years, 5 of which are continuous. After one year of residence in the country, a passport may be requested by:

• the citizen’s spouse, provided that the marriage was concluded at least 3 years ago;
• a Slovenian emigrant or his/her descendant up to the 4th tribe.

Stateless persons and refugees may apply for a passport after 5 years, and graduates of local universities after 7 years.

Long-term stay in Slovenia involves obtaining a visa, temporary/permanent residency, and/or citizenship of the republic. Acquiring a Slovenian passport typically takes about 10 years. However, relocation to Slovenia is possible through a simplified program, which can take as little as 4 months. An immigration specialist from Relocation Compass can provide consultation on the conditions for the expedited passport application process.

Refusal of issuance and revocation of residence permit

A foreigner who cannot document the purpose of his/her long-term stay and who, according to the local authorities, poses a danger to the national security of the country will not be granted a residence permit in Slovenia. Forgery of documents and provision of untruthful data are also grounds for refusal.

The status of temporary resident is canceled if the immigrant has ceased to meet the conditions of its initial receipt. It is possible to lose a residence permit card because of committing a criminal offense. To successfully legalize in Slovenia is required to comply with all the conditions of the legislation of the republic, be a law-abiding person, as well as to provide truthful information about yourself.

Feedback from those who have obtained a residence permit in Slovenia

According to the reviews of immigrants who have obtained a residence permit for Slovenia, the legalization procedure is simple – it is enough to prepare a package of documents and submit an application. To the disadvantages most often include undeveloped digital services of state agencies – it will not be possible to send an application completely online. Among them also highlight the fact that for the translation and legalization of documents it is necessary to apply to specialists approved by the government of the republic.

For successful employment in Slovenia, it is necessary to know the state language at a level sufficient for communication. Persons who have moved to the republic, especially emphasize the simplicity of registration of a sole proprietorship – everything can be done online through the government portal. In general, immigrants note that adaptation in the country is very easy.

What does a residence permit in Slovenia give?

With a residence permit card of Slovenia, you can enter the states of the European Union and the Schengen zone without a visa. Also, the document opens the following opportunities:

• the right to obtain citizenship in the long term;
• service in banks of the country;
• receiving medical care under a single insurance policy;
• doing business on the European market.

Slovenia is a member state of the European Union, so it is also possible to legally reside in its territory with a passport of any other member state. Ask a specialist of the Relocation Compass company how to obtain citizenship under the accelerated procedure within 4 months and successfully immigrate to Slovenia.