Entry and residence
The methods and conditions of entry into the Republic of Slovenia differ depending on whether the person entering the country is a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, or a third-country national.
EU citizens and their family members
Citizens of the European Union do not need a visa or residence permit to enter the Republic of Slovenia. Entry is permitted on the basis of a valid identity card or a valid passport, irrespective of the reason for entering or the reason for residing in the country – employment, study, self-employment, relocation, etc.
An EU citizen is refused entry if:
- he or she does not hold valid identification documents,
- he or she is prohibited from entering the Republic of Slovenia,
- his or her residence in the Republic of Slovenia would pose a serious and actual threat to public order, security or public health.
For the first three months after entry, he or she may reside in Slovenia without residence registration. However, for a longer stay, EU citizens must obtain a residence registration certificate at the administrative unit in their area of residence before the expiry of the authorised three-month stay. EU citizens may also apply for a residence registration certificate immediately after entering the Republic of Slovenia.
The provisions of the Foreigners Act applying to EU citizens also apply to the citizens of the Member States of the European Economic Area and their family members
Residence registration certificate for EU citizens
EU citizens who wish to reside in the Republic of Slovenia for a period longer than three months may apply for a residence registration certificate at the administrative unit in their area of residence immediately upon their entry into the country or before the expiry of the authorised three-month stay.
Purposes recognised for obtaining a residence registration certificate:
- employment or work, self-employment, provision of services, job search,
- study, vocational training or other forms of education,
- reunification with a family member who is a citizen of the European Union or of the Republic of Slovenia,
- other reasons, provided that the conditions for doing so are met.
Conditions for issuing a residence registration certificate:
- a valid identity card or passport,
- adequate health insurance,
- sufficient means of subsistence,
- if an EU citizen is applying based on employment/work/self-employment/provision of service, it shall be sufficient that they submit a confirmation from their employer that the EU citizen will be employed or proof that he or she is already employed or performing work or proof of self-employment or provision of service,
- if an EU citizen is applying as a job seeker, it shall be sufficient that they register with the competent employment authority as a person seeking employment,
- if an EU citizen is applying based on study/vocational training/education, he or she must submit – in addition to the first three requirements listed above – proof of admission to studies or training or other form of education,
- if an EU citizen is applying based on reunification with an EU-citizen family member, proof of family ties must be submitted in addition to the first three requirements listed above. If an EU citizen works, is self-employed or provides services in Slovenia, the requirements listed in indents two and three above do not apply. The same rules apply to family members who are family members of Slovenian nationals.
The residence registration certificate is issued to EU citizens for the duration of their intended stay, or for a maximum period of five years. A residence registration certificate may be renewed under the same conditions as it was issued.
Residence permit for a non-EU family member of an EU citizen or of a Slovenian national
Residence permit for a non-EU family member of an EU citizen or of a Slovenian nationalNon-EU family members may reside in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia without a residence permit for three months (90 days) from the date of entering the country. For a longer stay, they must apply for a residence permit for family members prior to the expiration date of the authorised 90-day stay. The application must be supported by documents proving that the applicant has health insurance, sufficient economic resources and no criminal conviction in their home country. If the EU citizen works, is self-employed or provides services in Slovenia, the requirements to submit proof of health insurance or sufficient economic resources do not apply. The same rule applies to family members who are family members of Slovenian nationals.
Family members of an EU citizen or of a Slovenian national are the following persons:
- his or her spouse or partner in a civil partnership or civil union,
- children of up to 21 years of age;
- children of the spouse, partner in a civil partnership or a civil union with whom the EU citizen or the Slovenian citizen has resided in a long-term partnership until they reach the age of 21,
- children above the age of 21 and older relatives whom an EU citizen is obliged to maintain or actually maintains;
- children above the age of 21 and older relatives of the spouse, partner in a civil partnership or civil union or partner with whom the EU citizen has resided in a long-term partnership, whom the spouse, registered partner or partner with whom the EU citizen has resided in a long-term relationship is obliged to maintain or actually maintains;
- older relatives of an EU citizen until they reach the age of 21.
The following persons are also considered family members:
- an individual who, as a member of the household in another EU Member State, resided with an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen,
- an individual whom the EU citizen or Slovenian citizen is obliged to maintain or actually maintains in accordance with the acts of his or her country of citizenship,– children above the age of 21 and ancestors whom the EU citizen or the Slovenian citizen is obliged to maintain or actually maintains in accordance with the legislation of the state of which he is a citizen;
- an individual who is personally taken care of by an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen due to his or her medical condition,
- the partner with whom an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen is in a long-term relationship.
Purposes recognised for obtaining a residence registration certificate
Employment or work, self-employment, provision of services, job search
Proof of employment or work means a certificate from an employer that an EU citizen will be employed or is already employed or performing work. If he or she does not have free access to the labour market, a valid work permit shall be considered as proof.
Study, vocational training or other forms of education
Proof means evidence of enrolment in an educational programme from an educational establishment or other organisation authorised by the state, or a certificate from the state authority implementing the international or bilateral treaty under which the EU citizen is attending an educational programme in the Republic of Slovenia.
A family member of an EU citizen and a family member of a Slovenian citizens
Family members may reside in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia without a residence permit for three months (90 days) from the date of entering the country. You may register your residence prior to the expiry of the authorised 90-day stay if you are an EU citizen yourself and a family member of an EU citizen who already holds a residence registration certificate in the Republic of Slovenia. When applying, you must provide proof of eligibility.
Family members of an EU citizen means the following:
- his or her spouse or partner in a civil partnership or civil union,
- children up to 21 years of age,
- the children of the spouse, partner in a civil partnership or civil union or partner with whom an EU citizen is in a long-term relationship until they reach the age of 21,
- children above the age of 21 and older relatives whom an EU citizen is obliged to maintain or actually maintains in accordance with the acts of his or her country of citizenship,
- children above the age of 21 and older relatives of the spouse, partner in a civil partnership or civil union or partner with whom the EU citizen has resided in a long-term partnership, whom the spouse, registered partner or partner with whom the EU citizen has resided in a long-term relationship is obliged to maintain or actually maintains in accordance with the acts of his or her country of citizenship,
- older relatives of an EU citizen until he or she reaches the age of 21.
The following persons are also considered family members:
- an individual who, as a member of the household in another EU Member State, resided with an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen,
- an individual whom the EU citizen or Slovenian citizen is obliged to maintain or actually maintains in accordance with the acts of his or her country of citizenship,
- an individual who is personally taken care of by an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen due to his or her medical condition,
- the partner with whom an EU citizen or Slovenian citizen is in a long-term relationship.
A permanent residence registration certificate for an EU citizen
A permanent registration certificate may be issued to an EU citizen for an unlimited period of time if he or she has resided in the Republic of Slovenia legally and continuously for five years. The condition of five years of continuous legal residence is also met if an EU citizen, during this period, was absent from the Republic of Slovenia:
- for not more than six months per calendar year;
- once, for not more than twelve consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training or posting to another country, or
- due to military service.
A permanent residence registration certificate may be issued to an EU citizen prior to the expiry of five years if:
- he or she is of Slovenian origin,
- his or her residence in the Republic of Slovenia is in the interests of the state,
- he or she has stopped working as an employed or self-employed person in Slovenia and is entitled to receive a retirement pension in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Slovenia, provided that he or she has been employed in the Republic of Slovenia for the past twelve months and has resided in the Republic of Slovenia legally and continuously for more than three years,
- he or she has been employed in the Republic of Slovenia for the past twelve months and has retired early, provided that he or she has resided in the Republic of Slovenia legally and continuously for more than three years (the twelve-month period of employment also includes employment in another EU Member State in which the EU citizen was employed),
- he or she has resided in the Republic of Slovenia legally and continuously for more than two years and worked in another EU Member State on a daily or weekly basis,
- he or she takes up employment as an employed or self-employed person in another EU Member State after three years of continuous legal residence in the Republic of Slovenia and returns to the Republic of Slovenia daily or at least once a week,
- he or she is a family member of an EU citizen referred to in indents three, four, five or six,
- he or she is a family member of a Slovenian citizen or a family member of an EU citizen or a foreigner who has a permanent residence registration certificate issued by the Republic of Slovenia and has resided in the Republic of Slovenia legally and continuously for at least two years.
The competent authority for receiving an application and issuing a permanent residence registration certificate is the administrative unit in the area of the EU citizen's residence.
Third-country nationals
Third-country nationals who wish to enter and reside in the Republic of Slovenia for the purposes of tourism, business, personal visit, employment, study, family reunification or other forms or purposes of residence must obtain a visa (if required for entry into Slovenia) or a residence permit at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad prior to their entry into the Republic of Slovenia.
Holders of a short-stay visa (C type) issued by a Schengen country may, during the visa validity period, enter the Republic of Slovenia and stay in its territory, provided that the total length of their stay in Schengen countries does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, or until the expiry of the visa, whichever is sooner. The permitted number of days of your stay can be calculated by using this online calculator.
Holders of a long-stay visa (D type) issued by a Schengen country may enter the Republic of Slovenia with this visa and a valid travel document and stay in its territory, provided that the total length of their stay in Schengen countries, except in the territory of the Schengen country that issued the long-stay visa, does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, or until the expiry of the long-stay visa, whichever is sooner.
Holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country may enter the Republic of Slovenia with this residence permit and a valid travel document and stay in its territory, provided that the total length of their stay in Schengen countries, except in the territory of the Schengen country that issued the residence permit, does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, or until the expiry of the residence permit, whichever is sooner.
The Slovenian language requirement for the renewal of temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification
According to the Act amending the Foreigners Act, an adult family member (aged between 18 and 60), is required, in order to extend his or her temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, to have at least a survival level of the Slovenian language proficiency. The survival level refers to the ability to communicate in basic Slovenian in everyday life and familiar situations by using basic vocabulary and simple phrases.
The Act entered into force on 16 November 2023. The Slovenian language requirement will be introduced gradually according to the following time line:
Until 30 April 2024
The Slovenian language requirement does not need to be fulfilled.
1 May 2024 – 31 October 2024
To renew their temporary residence permits for the purpose of family reunification, applicants have to present a certificate of enrolment in either a non-formal or state-approved Slovenian language education programme for adults where no state-approved qualification is awarded. However, applicants do not have to submit a certificate of enrolment in a Slovenian language course if they present a certificate of a successfully completed Slovenian language examination at entry level or higher.
From 1 November 2024 onwards
The survival level of Slovenian is required.
Applicants have to present a certificate of a successfully completed Slovenian language examination at survival level.
Visa regimes and visas
The visa regime used by the Republic of Slovenia forms part of the Union acquis. It comprises two categories of countries: countries whose nationals must have a visa to enter the Republic of Slovenia and countries whose nationals do not need a visa.
Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts issue Schengen visas (A and C type visa) and national visas (D type visa). To obtain a visa, a third-country national must submit the required documents and meet the conditions prescribed by law.
A short-stay visa (C type)
A short-stay visa (C type) is an authorisation issued to a third-country national for entry and temporary stay (up to 90 days). An application for a C type visa should be submitted with the Schengen country that is the main destination. On behalf of Slovenia, this type of visa can also be issued by another Schengen country if the two countries have concluded a representation agreement. A C type visa may be extended in exceptional cases where the circumstances prevent the visa holder from returning to the country of origin.
Letter of guarantee
When applying for a visa, a third-country national must submit an appropriate visa application and the required documents, which may differ depending on their country of origin. The list of documents is published on the websites of diplomatic missions and consular posts. In the visa application procedure, the applicant must also submit a letter of guarantee (available in the Forms below), which has been certified and registered at the relevant administrative unit in Slovenia.
It is important that the consular officer conducting the visa procedure be provided with full information before taking any decision. The guarantor or host must send the required documents in due time to the third-country national.
Which documents should be provided by the guarantor?
The documents sent must clearly show the purpose of the third-country national's entry into the country, the period of their stay in and the address at which they will be staying.
As a rule, the person whom the foreigner is visiting should complete and sign a letter of guarantee. The letter should be certified and registered at the relevant administrative unit in Slovenia.
Issuing a letter of guarantee for personal visits
- A letter of guarantee may be signed by a Slovenian citizen or a citizen of another EU Member State who resides in the Republic of Slovenia. A letter of guarantee may also be signed by a third-country national residing in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a residence permit.
- Letters of guarantee should be certified and registered in the certification register.
- The guarantor may be requested to enclose the following supporting documents with the letter of guarantee:
- bank statements for the past three months;
- extract from the land register or a purchase or lease contract for an apartment.
Issuing a letter of guarantee for business visits
- A letter of guarantee may only be issued by a legal person established in the Republic of Slovenia. The letter should clearly show the name and surname of the signatory.
- Letters of guarantee should be certified and registered in the certification register.
- The legal person must enclose the following supporting documents:
- proof of previous business cooperation: invoices, customs declarations, etc.;
- valid contracts on the basis of which legal transactions are carried out.
A long-stay visa (D type)
A long-stay visa (D type) is an authorisation for entry and residence for a period from 90 days up to a maximum of one year. It enables the holder to apply for a residence permit directly at the relevant administrative unit. A D type visa cannot be extended. Third-country nationals who fall within one of the categories defined in Article 20 of the Foreigners Act and those who do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Slovenia may apply for this type of visa.
Country specific visa information
Check if you need a visa to enter Slovenia.
Procedure for obtaining a visa
First, you should check whether you fall in the category of third-country nationals requiring a short-stay visa for the Republic of Slovenia.
How to apply for a visa?
Visa applicants must submit their application in person at the diplomatic mission or consular post or through an external service provider. The purpose of submitting an application in person is to enable the consular staff to make an initial assessment of the application and to ask the applicant about the purpose of the visit and the submitted documents. At the time of submitting their application, applicants for short-term visa must electronically submit all ten fingerprints.
Where to obtain visa application forms?
Visa application forms are available free of charge at all diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as among the documents listed below.
Where to file visa application forms?
The list of Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts is available in the section Slovenia's representations abroad. If you live in a country in which the Republic of Slovenia has a diplomatic mission or a consular post authorised for visa processing or in which a representation arrangement has been concluded you must apply for a visa in that country. For information on representation arrangements, please consult the European Commission website.
If you live in a country without a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia and there is no representation arrangement, you may apply for a visa at the representation of the Republic of Slovenia in another country, provided that your stay in that country is legal. Before applying for a visa, you should obtain all the necessary information about office hours, required documents and the length of the procedure.
An application for a long-stay visa (D type visa) may only be filed at the competent diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia and not at the diplomatic mission or consular post of the other parties to the Schengen Agreement representing Slovenia.
Visa applications cannot be submitted to:
- permanent missions of the Republic of Slovenia to international organisations;
- consulates and consulates-general headed by an honorary consul or honorary consul-general.
What document can a visa be affixed to?
The travel document must be valid for a period of at least three months after the intended departure from the country visited. It must have at least two free pages and must be recognised by the state conducting the visa procedure. Travel documents not recognised by all the Schengen countries are admissible but are subject to specific rules concerning the type of visa to be issued. The travel documents recognised are indicated in the table of travel documents.
Can a visa be affixed to a non-recognised passport?
If the Member State does not recognise the applicant's travel document, it may issue a visa affixed to a separate sheet. If the travel document is not recognised by any Member State, the application may be declared inadmissible.
What supporting documentation is required?
The Schengen visa documents may vary depending on the applicant's country of origin. The detailed list of documents required can be found on the websites of the representations responsible for visa procedures. General information on the supporting documentation for visas is available below.
What is the visa processing time?
A visa application must be submitted at least 15 calendar days and no more than six months before the intended visit.
A visa application submitted less than 15 calendar days before may be accepted but the processing may take up to 15 calendar days.
What kind of travel medical insurance is needed?
The applicant must provide proof of travel medical insurance covering the planned visits for a total premium of at least EUR 30,000. The insurance must be valid in all the Schengen countries.
A third party, such as the person inviting the applicant, may take out such insurance in the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the applicant.
Is it possible to appeal against a decision in the visa procedure?
Applicants have the option to appeal (Article 29 of the Foreigners Act). The appeal must be in writing, in Slovenian and formulated in a way to contain the elements of appeal as set out in the Administrative Procedure Act. The appeal must be submitted within eight days to the diplomatic mission or consular post. The consular fee for appeals is EUR 153. During the pendency of the appeal, a new visa application cannot be considered.
