Conditions
Business visitors for establishment purposes (BVEPs)
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
- Slovenia does not issue specific residence permits for this category of third-country nationals. They are admitted through other existing channels (short-term Schengen type-C visa).
Short-term business visitors (STBV)
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
- Slovenia does not issue specific residence permits for this category of third-country nationals. They are admitted through other existing channels (short-term Schengen type-C visa).
Contractual service suppliers (CSSs)
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
- Those staying less than 90 days are admitted through visa channels (short-term Schengen type-C visa).
- A third-country national who is posted, by his or her employer established outside the Republic of Slovenia, to the Republic of Slovenia for a period of time longer than 90 days in order to provide cross-border services must obtain a single permit for posted workers.
Work permit requirements
CCSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
A third-country employer may post workers to provide services connected to the supply of goods and maintenance in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services.
The provision of services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be allowed in the following cases:
- where the services provided by the posted workers are connected to the supply and assembly of machinery, devices or equipment, the training of the client’s staff or the dismantling of machinery, devices or equipment;
- where regular maintenance services as agreed upon in the contract on the purchase of machinery, devices or equipment are provided by posted workers employed with the manufacturer; or
- where under the contract on the purchase of machinery, devices or equipment abroad, its supplier is required to repair machinery, device or equipment malfunctions at its own expense.
The employer shall register the commencement of the provision of services with the Employment Service prior to the start thereof. The Employment Service shall issue a certificate of registration.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
The Employment Service grants consent to the issuance of a single permit for posted workers if:
- the third-country employer posts workers in order to provide cross-border services on their own behalf and for their own account under a contract concluded with a client from a Member State of the EU, a Member State of the EEA or the Swiss Confederation ordering services, or under a contract concluded with a service provider that has a contract concluded with a client from a Member State of the EU, a Member State of the EEA or the Swiss Confederation ordering services
- posted workers have been employed for at least nine months by a third-country employer who sends workers to the Republic of Slovenia
Documentation required and conditions to be met
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
The registration document shall contain the following information:
- the company name and registered office or address of the client;
- the company name and registered office or address of the third-country employer;
- the name and date of birth of the responsible person of the client and of the service provider;
- the name, date of birth, nationality and temporary residence in the Republic of Slovenia of each posted worker;
- the type of service;
- the location and duration of the provision of services.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
Conditions to be met
A single permit for posted workers may be issued, if the third-country national:
- holds a valid travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia,
- if he or she has social insurance in the country from which he or she is posted (social insurance in the country from which he or she is posted must cover at least urgent health care services in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia or adequate health insurance in the Republic of Slovenia),
- if the Employment Service grants consent to the issuance of a single permit for posted workers in accordance with the Act governing the employment and work of third-country nationals, if such consent is a condition for issuing a single permit, and
- if there are no reasons for refusing a permit referred to in indents one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine, ten, eleven or twelve of paragraph one of Article 55 of the Foreigners Act.
Documentation required
- a personal photography,
- a valid travel document or a certified photocopy of the travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia,
- a proof of social insurance in the country from which he or she is posted, which also includes health insurance that covers at least emergency health services in the Republic of Slovenia, if the social insurance from the home country does not include health insurance, proof of appropriate health insurance is provided, which covers at least emergency health services in the Republic of Slovenia,
- a proof of sufficient means of subsistence,
- a certificate from the criminal record of the third-country nationals’ home country,
- the contract for the provision of services to the contracting party,
- proof that the posted workers have been employed for at least nine months by a third-country employer who sends workers to the Republic of Slovenia,
- proof of registration of a third-country employer.
Where and how to file an application
- CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
- Registration of the provision of short-term services by an employer from one of the third countries.
The third-country employer submits the online application on a standardised form. - Registration of the provision of services by an employer established in another EU Member State or the EEA, or Switzerland.
The third-country employer submits the online application on a standardised form.
- Registration of the provision of short-term services by an employer from one of the third countries.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
Application submitted by the third-country national
The third-country national must apply for a first single permit for posted workers at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad.
Application submitted by the third-country national’s employer
The third-country national’s employer may apply for a first single permit at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad or at the administrative unit in the area where the provision of services will be performed in the Republic of Slovenia.
Application form
Application for the issue or renewal of a single permit shall be made using the form no. 15/1 set out in Annex 1 of the Rules on the method of issuing a residence permit and a certificate on the rights of a frontier worker, the method of capturing fingerprints, the method of marking termination and the price of a residence permit card and a certificate on the rights of a frontier worker.
The application form is also available at diplomatic missions or consular posts of Slovenia abroad or at the administrative units in Slovenia.
Application fees and indicative processing time
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
No fee is required for registration of the provision of short-term services.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
The administrative fee for issuing a single residence and work permit is 102 euros, if the application is lodged at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad.
The price of the residence permit card is 12 euros.
The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
The provision of services may not exceed a period of 14 uninterrupted days and a total duration of 90 days in a calendar year. The same posted worker may be again posted to work in the Republic of Slovenia after an interim break of duration equal to the time required for the previously provided service.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
A first single permit for posted workers shall be issued for the period of the contracted work, but for not more than one year.
If the services to be provided are of particular importance for the country, a first single permit may be issued for a period longer than one year. This shall be decided by the authority responsible for issuing a single permit based on a decision of the ministry responsible for work and in accordance with the Act governing the employment and work of third-country nationals:
Decisions on a service of particular importance to the state shall be taken by the ministry responsible for labour on the basis of a positive opinion of the ministry responsible for the relevant area of activity, and at the contracting entity's request, to which shall be attached the relevant service contract and a written explanation describing the particular importance to the state and specifying the period of the provision of services and the number of posted workers needed to provide the service.
Conditions for any available extensions or renewal
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
The provision of services may not exceed a period of 14 uninterrupted days and a total duration of 90 days in a calendar year. The same posted worker may be again posted to work in the Republic of Slovenia after an interim break of duration equal to the time required for the previously provided service.
If a third-country employer fails to start or complete the services in time due to objective reasons (for example due to illness of third-country workers, adverse weather conditions, technical obstacles), it must notify the Employment Service in writing within three days of the objective reason for delay or termination and provide evidence of the reasons for the delay or suspension of the services. In these cases, the Employment Service may, on the basis of explanations and evidence, again issue a certificate which replaces the previously issued certificate on the registration of the commencement of the services.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
If, for justified reasons, the contract on the basis of which a third-country national is posted cannot be implemented within the time limit, the single permit for posted workers shall be extended on the basis of the prior consent of the Employment Service.
Consent for the extension of a single permit of a posted worker may be granted when the contract is extended for a maximum of one month and the service provider and the client (contracting party) demonstrate evidence that the services could not be provided in the stipulated period for objective reasons (force majeure, a delay in the implementation of work related to the work specified in the contract, etc.).
Rules regarding accompanying dependents
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
Family reunification is not possible during the provision of short-term services.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
A third-country national who in the last two years has resided in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit and has a valid residence permit issued for at least one year shall be granted the right to the reunification, preservation and reintegration of one’s family with family members who are third-country nationals.
The two-year validity of the temporary residence permit shall also include the period of the third-country national's residence on the basis of a certificate of application for the issuance or extension of a temporary residence permit or the issuance of a subsequent temporary residence permit that serves as a temporary residence permit.
Family member(s) must obtain a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.
Available review and/or appeal procedures
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
Decisions of the Employment Service regarding the provision of short-term services may be challenged before the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia.
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
Decisions of administrative unit may be challenged before the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia.
Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons – CSSs
CSSs staying less than 90 days on the basis of the registration of the commencement of the provision of services
Article 36 of the Employment, Self-Employment and Work of Foreigners Act
CSSs staying longer than 90 days on the basis of the single permit
Article 45 of the Foreigners Act
Article 21 and 22 of the Employment, Self-Employment and Work of Foreigners Act
Independent professionals (IPs)
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
Independent Professionals shall apply for a single residence and work permit (hereinafter: single permit), which is issued on the basis of the Employment Service consent for the provision of individual services by third-country nationals.
Work permit requirements
A single permit is issued if the Employment Service grants consent for the provision of individual services by third-country nationals to the issuance of a single permit.
Consent for the provision of individual services by a third-country national shall be granted for work requiring the specific expert skills of a third-country national not registered to pursue an activity.
The Employment service shall consent to the issuance or extension of a single work permit or to a written authorisation for work requiring specific expert skills provided that the third-country national and the hirer have concluded a civil law contract and that the third-country national has the specific expert skills required for the work under the contract.
In the event of doubt as to the specific expert skills of the third-country national, the Employment Service shall grant consent on the basis of an opinion obtained from the competent chamber, a professional association or the ministry responsible for the area of activity.
Documentation required and conditions to be met
Conditions for the issuance of a single permit:
- a valid travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia;
- adequate health insurance covering at least emergency medical services in the Republic of Slovenia, if the third-country national is not compulsorily insured in the Republic of Slovenia;
- sufficient means of subsistence during his or her residence in the country, or other guarantees that his or her means of subsistence will be provided, on a monthly basis, in an amount corresponding to at least the basic minimum income in the Republic of Slovenia (more information about sufficient means of subsistence);
- the Employment Service consent for the provision of individual services to the issuance of a single permit;
Consent is not needed in case of:- a person who intends to enter the priesthood or pursue a monastic activity within a registered religious community in Slovenia,
- a person who will organise or conduct a charitable and humanitarian activity within a recognised humanitarian organisation or a registered religious community, who submits a certificate from a registered religious community on pursuing activities in that community or a certificate from a recognised humanitarian organisation on organising or managing charitable and humanitarian activities in this organisation,
- a reporter for third-country media or a third-country correspondent who is already accredited in Slovenia or is in the process of extending accreditation.
- there are no reasons for refusing a permit referred to in indents one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine, ten or eleven of paragraph one of Article 55 of the Foreigners Act.
Documentation required:
- a personal photography;
- a valid travel document or a certified photocopy of the travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia;
- proof of adequate health insurance covering at least emergency medical services in the Republic of Slovenia, when an Independent Professional is not compulsorily insured in the Republic of Slovenia;
- proof of sufficient means of subsistence during residence in the country, or other guarantees that means of subsistence will be provided, every month, in an amount corresponding to at least the basic minimum income in the Republic of Slovenia (more information about sufficient means of subsistence);
- certificate from the criminal record of the home country in the case of an application for a first single permit, in other cases, if the authority so requests;
- a civil law contract concluded with the hirer (final consumer);
- proof of a special specialist knowledge of a third-country national (special courses, recommendations, etc.).
Where and how to file an application
Application submitted by Independent Professionals
Independent Professionals must apply for a first single permit for residence and work at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad, except in special cases (listed underneath), in which the application may also be lodged at the competent administrative unit in the area where the Independent Professional resides in the Republic of Slovenia:
- a sports coach, a professional athlete or a private sports worker who is already registered in the register of professional athletes or a record of private sports workers who has an employment contract or a contract of work with a club or a sports organisation with headquarters in Slovenia,
- a person who intends to enter the priesthood or pursue a monastic activity within a registered religious community in Slovenia, or a person who will organise or conduct a charitable and humanitarian activity within a recognised humanitarian organisation or a registered religious community, who submits a certificate from a registered religious community on pursuing activities in that community or a certificate from a recognised humanitarian organisation on organising or managing charitable and humanitarian activities in this organisation (in this cases the consent of the Employment Service to the issuance of a single permit is not needed),
- a reporter for third-country media or a third-country correspondent who is already accredited in Slovenia or is in the process of extending accreditation (in this cases the consent of the Employment Service to the issuance of a single permit is not needed),
- a person who, based on the submission of the opinion of the competent ministry, demonstrates the existence of an economic interest in Slovenia,
- a person who, based on the submission of the opinion of the competent ministry, demonstrates the existence of the interest of Slovenia in education, science, and culture.
In these cases the application must be submitted before the expiry of the valid legal residence (before the expiry of the allowed 90-day residence without a residence permit or expiry of a visa).
Application submitted by the hirer (final consumer)
Alternatively, the hirer (final consumer) may also apply for a first single permit for residence and work at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad or at the administrative unit in the area where the hirer is established or where the activity is performed in the Republic of Slovenia.
Application form
Application for the issue or renewal of a single permit shall be made using the form no. 1/1 set out in Annex 1 of the Rules on the method of issuing a residence permit and a certificate on the rights of a frontier worker, the method of capturing fingerprints, the method of marking termination and the price of a residence permit card and a certificate on the rights of a frontier worker.
Application fees and indicative processing time
The administrative fee for issuing a single permit is 102 euros, if the application is lodged at a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad.
The administrative fee for issuing a single permit is 70 euros, if the application is lodged at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia.
The price of the residence permit card is 12 euros.
The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation
In the areas of science, culture, sport, health care and education, a third-country national may carry out work for a maximum of one year, while in other areas the work may not extend beyond three months in a calendar year.
Conditions for any available extensions or renewal
A single permit may be extended under the same conditions as those applicable to its issuance. A third-country national must apply for the extension of a permit with the competent administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia prior to the expiry of the permit.
Rules regarding accompanying dependents
A third-country national who in the last two years has resided in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit and has a valid residence permit issued for at least one year shall be granted the right to the reunification, preservation and reintegration of one’s family with family members who are third-country nationals.
The two-year validity of the temporary residence permit shall also include the period of the third-country national's residence on the basis of a certificate of application for the issuance or extension of a temporary residence permit or the issuance of a subsequent temporary residence permit that serves as a temporary residence permit.
Family member(s) must obtain a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.
Available review and/or appeal procedures
Decisions of administrative unit may be challenged before the Administrative Court.
Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons
Article 37 of the Foreigners Act
Article 26 of the Employment, Self-Employment and Work of Foreigners Act
Investors
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
The Republic of Slovenia does not have a specific system regarding entry and temporary stay that would apply explicitly to investors.
Nevertheless, investors can obtain a temporary residence permit or a long-stay visa (type D) on the grounds of the interest of the Republic of Slovenia.
Temporary residence permit
Work permit requirements
Investors, who obtained a residence permit based on national interest, do not have free access to the labour market. If they wish to access the labour market, there is a need for a labour market test and can only be employed if there is no suitable candidate registered in the unemployment register.
On the basis of a decision on the right to access the labour market, the competent authority in the area of a third-country national's residence shall replace, ex officio, the residence permit card with a new card, on which the right to access the labour market is indicated. The competent authority may indicate the right to access the labour market on the residence permit card also in the procedure for issuing and extending a temporary residence permit issued for another purpose, such as employment, self-employment or work, if a third-country national complies with the conditions and has the right to free access to the labour market in accordance with the Act governing the employment, self-employment and work of third-country nationals.
Documentation required and conditions to be met
- the existence of the interest of the Republic of Slovenia;
- the consent of the investor to the initiation of a procedure for issuing a residence permit;
- adequate health insurance;
- sufficient means of subsistence during his or her residence in the country, or other guarantees that his or her means of subsistence will be provided, on a monthly basis, in an amount corresponding to at least the basic minimum income in the Republic of Slovenia (third-country nationals may prove that they satisfy the condition of sufficient means of subsistence by means which they provide themselves through their work, with rights from work or insurance, other than reimbursement of costs related to work, income from property, income from capital and other sources or with the assistance of those who are obliged to support them, by means of a scholarship or funds in an account opened with a bank or savings bank in the Republic of Slovenia or abroad);
- there are no reasons for suspecting that the third-country national could represent a threat to the public order and security or international relations of the Republic of Slovenia, or if there is no suspicion that his or her residing in the country will be linked to terrorist or other violent acts, illegal intelligence activities, the production of or trade in illicit drugs or other criminal acts, or unless it is established, in a first temporary residence permit procedure, that he or she comes from regions where infectious diseases with epidemic potential listed in the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization are prevalent, or from regions where infectious diseases are prevalent that could represent a threat to people’s health and which require measures to be taken in accordance with the Act governing infectious diseases.
Where and how to file an application
The procedure consists of the following three stages:
On the basis of a decision of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Interior ex officio initiates the procedure for issuing a temporary residence permit with a validity of up to five years. The parties to the residence permit procedure shall be the third-country national and the interested ministry or other state authority. A temporary residence permit may be issued if the conditions determined for issuing a residence permit are met.
Proposal of the interested ministry or another state authority:
The procedure starts with the proposal of the interested ministry or another state authority. Hence, the procedure starts ex officio, not with the application of a third-country national-investor.
In its proposal, the interested ministry or other national authority must justify the existence of the interests and attach the third-country national's consent in order to institute a residence permit procedure and other evidence attesting to the fact that the third-country national has sufficient means of subsistence and adequate health insurance or provide such resources in an amount corresponding to the basic minimum income in the Republic of Slovenia for the period of validity of the residence permit.
There is no legal act defining the condition of the residence being in the economic interest of Slovenia or establishing what criteria shall be taken into account to consider that such condition is met.
Decision of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on the existence of an economic interest for Slovenia:
On the proposal of the interested ministry or another state authority, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia shall issue an order stating that issuing a temporary residence permit to a third-country national is in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia.
- Issuance of the temporary residence permit:
Application fees and indicative processing time
The procedure starts ex officio, not with the application of a third-country national-investor. Consequently, the third-country national does not need to pay any administrative fee for the procedure.
The price of the residence permit card is 12 euros.
The maximum period of stay
A third-country national whose residence in the Republic of Slovenia is in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia may be issued a temporary residence permit for the period of the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia, but for not more than five years.
Conditions for any available extensions or renewal
The general rules on the renewal of temporary residence permits apply. The application must be filed before the permit expires. During the processing of the renewal application, the third-country national may continue to reside in Slovenia. At the time of renewal, the applicant must continue to fulfil the conditions that were required at the time of application for the first permit. The extension is granted for the same period for which the permit was granted.
Rules regarding accompanying dependents
A third-country national holding a temporary residence permit in the interests of the Republic of Slovenia (which shall be decided by the authority responsible for issuing the permit based on the opinion of the responsible ministry or another state authority) may reunite with family members without limitations regarding the length of the person’s residence in the Republic of Slovenia or the validity of his or her permit.
Family member(s) must obtain a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.
Available review and/or appeal procedures
Judicial review of administrative decisions issued by the Ministry of Interior is possible by lodging a lawsuit with the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia.
Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons - investors
Article 51(3) of the Foreigners Act
Long-stay visa (type D)
Work permit requirements
A long-stay visa may be issued to a third-country national if there is an economic interest of the Republic of Slovenia, which the third-country national shall prove by submitting the opinion of the ministry responsible for the economy.
No Employment Service decision on access to the labour market is required.
Documentation required and conditions to be met
Required documents for type D visa:
- the completed application form for a long-stay visa (D),
- a valid travel document that is valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay in the Republic of Slovenia,
- travel medical insurance for the period of validity of his or her visa to cover any expenses that might arise for medical reasons, urgent medical attention or emergency hospital treatment (the minimum insurance coverage for a third-country national shall be 30,000 euros. As a general rule, a third-country national shall take out travel health insurance in his or her country of residence. Where this is not possible, the third-country national may take out travel health insurance in any other country where it is possible to take out the insurance; a guarantor or any other legal or natural person in the Republic of Slovenia may take out insurance in the name of the third-country national. Holders of diplomatic or service passports and third-country nationals applying for a visa at the border shall be exempt from submitting proof of insurance.),
- sufficient means of subsistence, on a monthly basis, corresponding to at least the basic minimum income in the Republic of Slovenia, which is currently 402,18 euros (compliance with the requirement of sufficient means of subsistence may be proved by cash, travellers' cheques, credit cards, an affidavit of support, evidence of paid accommodation in the context of a package holiday, or by any other method that proves that a third-country national possesses the means necessary for his or her stay in the country),
- the absence of grounds for refusing to issue a long-stay visa from Article 26 of the Foreigners Act,
- a photo 45x35 mm, conform to ICAO standards.
Supporting Documentation:
- the written opinion of the ministry responsible for the economy (issued on the basis of the Rules of the relevant ministry),
- the certificate of employment and certificate of the status of the third-country national in a third-country company,
- the certificate of sufficient funds.
Where and how to file an application
A long-stay visa may be issued to a third-country national upon application. An application may be lodged with the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Slovenia abroad no more than three months prior to the third-country national's intended arrival in the Republic of Slovenia.
A long-stay visa shall be served on the third-country national in person at the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad.
Application fees and indicative processing time
The administrative fee for a long-stay visa is 77 euros.
The maximum period of stay
A long-stay visa shall be issued for a third-country national's intended stay in the Republic of Slovenia that is longer than 90 days and shall have a period of validity of no more than one year.
Conditions for any available extensions or renewal
A long-stay visa cannot be extended.
A third-country national who is staying in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a long-stay visa may be issued a temporary residence permit if he or she complies with the relevant conditions provided by the Foreigners Act.
An application for a temporary residence permit must be lodged at the administrative unit in the area where the third-country national resides prior to the expiry of the long-stay visa. The third-country national shall be issued a certificate of timely application, which shall serve as a temporary residence permit until the administratively final decision on the application.
Rules regarding accompanying dependents
A third-country national cannot reunite family members during the period of validity of the visa. If a family member wishes to reside in the Republic of Slovenia, he or she must also obtain a short-term C type visa or a long-term D type visa issued for one of the purposes of residence defined in Article 20 of the Foreigners Act.
Available review and/or appeal procedures
An appeal against the issuance, refusal of a visa application, suspension of visa procedure or revocation of visa is possible within eight days of service of the decision. The complaint shall be made in writing. An appeal against decisions of diplomatic missions or consulates shall be decided by the ministry responsible for foreign affairs.
Judicial review of decisions regarding long-term visa, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is possible by lodging a lawsuit with the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia.
Relevant laws of general application
Article 20 of the Foreigners Act