Residence permit on other reasonable grounds and in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia

The Foreigners Act (ZTuj-2) provides a specific type of permit for most purposes of residence, such as employment, study or family reunification. For cases not covered by any of these types, it allows a temporary residence permit on other reasonable grounds to be issued (Article 51 of ZTuj-2).

Conditions

• the foreigner shows, in accordance with an Act, international acts or international principles and customs, reasonable grounds that their residence in Slovenia is justified;
• the foreigner meets the general conditions for a residence permit: a valid travel document, adequate health insurance and sufficient means of subsistence (Article 33 of ZTuj-2);
• there are no grounds for refusal (Article 55 of ZTuj-2).

The Act does not list the grounds, so the competent authority assesses each case individually. The grounds must therefore be clearly explained and supported by evidence.

Duration

The permit is issued for the duration of the intended residence, but for not more than one year. A temporary residence permit may be extended under the same conditions as those applicable to its issuance; the application for extension must be lodged before the permit expires (Article 36 of ZTuj-2).

Foreigners who have been allowed to stay

A foreigner who has been allowed to stay in Slovenia for at least 24 months because their removal from the country is not permitted (Article 72 of ZTuj-2), and whose identity has been established beyond doubt, may be issued a temporary residence permit with validity of two years. The same applies to a foreigner whose removal is still not possible after at least 24 months of authorised stay and for whom there are other reasonable grounds and special personal circumstances justifying their residence in Slovenia. The application must be lodged before the authorised stay expires (paragraph two of Article 51 of ZTuj-2).

Residence permit in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia

A foreigner whose residence in Slovenia is in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia may be issued a temporary residence permit for the duration of the intended residence, but for not more than five years (paragraph three of Article 51 of ZTuj-2). The procedure differs from that for other permits:

• the interest is established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia by an order, on the proposal of the interested ministry or another state authority;
• in its proposal, the ministry or authority must justify the existence of the interest and attach the foreigner’s consent to the institution of the procedure and evidence of sufficient means of subsistence and adequate health insurance, or provide such means in an amount corresponding to the basic minimum income for the entire period of validity of the permit;
• based on the Government’s decision, the procedure is started ex officio by the ministry responsible for the interior, which also decides on the permit (Article 54 of ZTuj-2); the parties to the procedure are the foreigner and the interested ministry or other state authority;
• the permit is not issued if there are reasons for suspecting that the foreigner could represent a threat to the public order and security or international relations of the Republic of Slovenia.

A first permit may also be issued to a foreigner who is already staying in Slovenia.

The foreigner applies for this permit themselves. The parties to the procedure are the foreigner and the interested ministry or other state authority, which must justify the existence of the interest of the Republic of Slovenia in its proposal to the Government. We can help you prepare the application and substantiate the interest.

How we help you

Together with you, we check whether your reason for residence fits one of the other types of permit or whether a permit on other reasonable grounds or in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia is appropriate. We help you explain your grounds clearly and gather the relevant evidence, prepare the application and, on the basis of a power of attorney, represent you in the administrative procedure. If your application is refused, we help you prepare legal remedies.

You can find the general conditions, the extension of permits and an overview of all types of permit on the page Residence permits in the Republic of Slovenia.

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.