Residence permits in the Republic of Slovenia

When do you need a residence permit

A foreigner who does not require a visa to enter Slovenia may stay in the Schengen area for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period (Article 14 of ZTuj-2). Anyone who wishes to live in Slovenia for longer, for employment, work, study, family or another purpose, needs a residence permit. This area is governed by the Foreigners Act (hereinafter: ZTuj-2), and the conditions for the employment and work of foreigners by the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act (hereinafter: ZZSDT).

A residence permit is issued as a temporary residence permit (for a specific purpose and a specific period) or as a permanent residence permit (not limited in duration or purpose) (Article 32 of ZTuj-2).

General conditions

For every residence permit, a foreigner must meet the general conditions under Article 33 of ZTuj-2:

• a valid travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended residence;
• adequate health insurance covering at least emergency healthcare services in Slovenia;
• sufficient means of subsistence, on a monthly basis in an amount corresponding to at least the basic minimum income.

In addition, the foreigner must meet the specific conditions for the individual type of permit, and there must be no grounds for refusal of a residence permit under Article 55 of ZTuj-2 (e.g. a ban on entering the country, a threat to public order, falsified or forged evidence, a marriage concluded mainly for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit).

As a rule, a foreigner must obtain a first temporary residence permit before entering Slovenia. The application is lodged with a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad or, in cases provided by law (e.g. if the foreigner already resides in Slovenia lawfully), with an administrative unit in Slovenia (Article 34 of ZTuj-2). Applications are decided by administrative units, which have competence throughout the country (Article 54 of ZTuj-2).

Types of permit

You can find a more detailed description of individual permits and the conditions for obtaining them on the following pages:

• Single permit to reside and work: for employment with an employer in Slovenia
• Company representatives: for directors and representatives of companies, sole traders and branches
• Self-employment: for sole traders and persons carrying out an independent professional activity
• EU Blue Card: for highly qualified employment
• Researchers and higher education teachers: for research and teaching work on the basis of a hosting agreement
• Study: for students, and for graduates seeking employment in Slovenia
• Digital nomads: for remote work for a foreign employer or as a self-employed person abroad
• Family reunification: for family members of foreigners residing in Slovenia
• Permit on other reasonable grounds and in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia: for foreigners who show reasonable grounds for residing in Slovenia that are not covered by any other type of permit, or whose residence is in the interests of the state
• Permanent residence permit: after five years of continuous lawful residence
• EU citizens and their family members: residence registration and permits for family members

Residence permit on other reasonable grounds

A foreigner who shows, in accordance with an Act, international acts or international principles and customs, reasonable grounds that their residence in Slovenia is justified, may be issued a temporary residence permit by the competent authority for the duration of the intended residence, but for not more than one year. The foreigner must also meet the general conditions for a residence permit (Article 51 of ZTuj-2). As this permit covers cases not covered by any other type of permit, it is particularly important that the grounds for residence are well substantiated and documented. We can help you with this.

Other permits

ZTuj-2 also governs a number of other permits, including for seasonal work, posted workers, intra-corporate transferees, trainees, cross-border workers, long-term residents of other EU Member States, foreigners of Slovenian descent and children born to foreigners in Slovenia. If your situation does not fit any of the categories above, contact us and together we will check which permit is right for you.

Extension and change of purpose

An application for the extension of a permit must be lodged before the permit expires (Article 36 of ZTuj-2). Before the permit expires, a foreigner may also apply for a subsequent residence permit for a different purpose (e.g. from study to employment). On the basis of a timely application, a certificate is issued which, in cases provided by law, allows the foreigner to reside and work until a decision on the application is made.

Legal remedies

No appeal is allowed against a decision on the issuance of a single permit (including the EU Blue Card) or on the refusal of a change of employer or job, but an administrative dispute is allowed (Article 87 of ZTuj-2). For other permits, an appeal is allowed in the cases provided by law. The time limits for lodging legal remedies are short, so it is important to act immediately after the decision is served.

How we help you

We help you obtain and extend all types of residence permit:

• we check which permit is right for you and whether you meet the conditions;
• we prepare a list of the required documents and advise you on obtaining them;
• we prepare the application and, on the basis of a power of attorney, represent you in the administrative procedure;
• we monitor the procedure, respond to requests from the authority and remind you of extension deadlines;
• we help you prepare legal remedies.

For employers

We are also here for employers who hire foreigners. We prepare complete documentation, communicate with the competent authorities on your behalf and monitor renewal deadlines. This saves you time, reduces the risk of delays and formal errors, and lets you focus entirely on your business.

Each case depends on its specific circumstances, so the outcome of the procedure cannot be guaranteed in advance. Tell us about your case and we will arrange a date for a consultation: write to us or call us on +386 40 832 660.