Living in Slovenia

Getting help with living in Slovenia

Help from the Slovenian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Slovenia, you may be able to get help from the:

• Slovenian Embassy in London
• Slovenian Ministry of the Interior

The UK government and the British Embassy in Ljubljana cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Slovenia.

Professional help in Slovenia

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Slovenia, including:

• lawyers

• translators

• notaries

• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Slovenia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Slovenia. This includes the latest information on:

• visas and entry requirements

• laws and cultural differences

• safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Slovenia before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Slovenia. 

You can get a visa or residence permit to:

• work

• study

• live with family in Slovenia

• complete research or training

• invest or do business in Slovenia

• volunteer or do charity work

For more information, read guidance on:

• entry and residence in Slovenia

• entry and residence requirements for third-country nationals

• immigration to Slovenia

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to register your residency in Slovenia if you have a temporary or permanent residence permit. You must do this within 8 days of moving to your permanent address.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:

• your local administrative unit in Slovenia

• the Slovenian Embassy in London

• an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the Slovenian Embassy in London or your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) for information on how to:

• extend your visa or residence permit

• replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Slovenia if you have lived there legally and continuously for at least 5 years.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, contact:

• the Slovenian Embassy in London

• your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) in Slovenia

Citizenship

Slovenia only recognises dual citizenship with the UK in certain cases. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Slovenian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Slovenian citizenship:

• read the Slovenian government’s guidance on getting Slovenian citizenship

• contact the Slovenian Embassy in London

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Ljubljana cannot help with Slovenian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

Your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) deals with all residence matters. By law, they must provide services in Slovenian. If you do not speak Slovenian, you can find an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Slovenia.

For any questions or issues, contact:

• your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’)

• the Slovenian Embassy in London

• an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia

Residency if you moved to Slovenia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Slovenia before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence permits if you moved to Slovenia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Slovenia before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a new biometric residence permit. This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information, read the Slovenian government’s Brexit guidance.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit system (EES), you’ll need a new biometric residence permit when entering or leaving Slovenia. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Slovenia or other Schengen countries.

If you do not have a residence permit

If you were living in Slovenia before 1 January 2021, but do not have a new biometric residence permit, you must apply for one at your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’). You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a biometric residence permit for foreign nationals.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to:

• appeal

• apply for a visa or residence permit as a third-country national

Read guidance on entry and residence requirements for third-country nationals.

Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia. If you need a lawyer but cannot afford to pay for one, contact the resident legal adviser at your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’).

For more information on how to apply or appeal, read the Slovenian government’s Brexit guidance.

Renewing your residence permit if you moved to Slovenia before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew your residence permit every 5 or 10 years. You should renew your permit before it expires.

Contact your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) or the Slovenian Embassy in London for information on how to renew your residence permit.

Bringing family members to Slovenia if you moved there before 1 January 2021

The Slovenian government’s Brexit guidance explains:

• which family members can join you in Slovenia

• how and when they should apply for their residence document

• fees and processing times

Slovenian ID cards and residence permits

New-style Slovenian ID cards that merge health cards with national ID cards were introduced in April 2023. These are for Slovenian passport holders only.

Foreign nationals who are temporarily or permanently resident in Slovenia must hold both a Slovenian health insurance card and a Slovenian biometric residence permit.

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for a British passport from abroad

• travel urgently without your British passport

If you have a Slovenian residence permit or long stay visa, the time you spend in Slovenia does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residence permit when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence permit or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Slovenia using your EU or EFTA passport.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Slovenia, and who have a valid biometric residence document, do not need to register with the EES. This includes documentation issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, long-term visas and other biometric residence permits.

If you’re legally resident in Slovenia but do not have a residence permit, contact your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) for information on how to get one.

For more information about the EES, read:

• EU guidance on the EES

• guidance on the EES for UK nationals

Healthcare in Slovenia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• plan your healthcare

• take medicine abroad

To find out how to get medical treatment read guidance on healthcare in Slovenia and health in Slovenia. 

You can also read the Slovenian government’s information on healthcare and health insurance.

Working in Slovenia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Slovenia, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Slovenia for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you.

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Slovenia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate. Read the Slovenian Employment Service’s guidance for jobseekers.

If you live in Slovenia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Slovenia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in Slovenia

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• drive abroad legally

• take your UK vehicle abroad

• get driving licence letters

The Slovenian government provides information on driving in Slovenia, including how to:

• get a Slovenian driving licence

• import a foreign vehicle to Slovenia

For more information read guidance on:

• driving in the EU

• road travel in Slovenia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Slovenia

Driving in Slovenia using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in Slovenia for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:

• the UK

• Gibraltar

• Jersey

• Guernsey

• the Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Slovenia. 

Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 12 months, you must exchange your driving licence for a Slovenian licence without taking a test.

You’ll need to prove that you were resident in the UK when your UK driving licence was issued. To do this, you can use the letter on UK driving licences and proof of residence (PDF, 67.9KB) from the British Embassy in Ljubljana. This clarifies that UK driving licences are only issued to UK residents. The Slovenian authorities may also ask you to provide other documents.

You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Slovenian licence to drive legally. 

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for an EU parking card for people with disabilities. Contact your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) for more information on Slovenian disabled parking cards. 

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Slovenia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Slovenia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia or your local finance office for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Slovenia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia. 

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension

• where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming a Slovenian pension

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities or your local administrative unit (‘Upravna Enota’) to find out whether you can claim a Slovenian pension.

You can also read the Slovenian government’s guidance on retirement in Slovenia.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming Slovenian benefits

You may be entitled to some Slovenian benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim, read the Slovenian government’s guidance on social benefits and social security.

Buying and renting property in Slovenia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

 Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Slovenia

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• vote in UK elections from abroad

• register as an overseas voter

Slovenian elections

You may be eligible to vote in Slovenian local elections.

You cannot vote in Slovenian national elections unless you hold Slovenian citizenship.

You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Read the Slovenian government’s guidance on elections and referendums in Slovenia.

Studying in Slovenia

If you plan to study in Slovenia, you must meet all visa and residence requirements before you travel.

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Slovenia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information, read guidance on:

• studying in Slovenia

• studying in the EU

• travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)

You can also contact:

• your higher education provider in the UK or Slovenia

• the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

• the Slovenian Embassy in London

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

• getting permission to take your child abroad

• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad

• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Slovenia.

All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school or home school in Slovenia.

For more information, read the Slovenian government’s guidance on:

• education, science and sport in Slovenia

• enrolling your child in primary school in Slovenia

• enrolling your child in secondary school in Slovenia

Childcare

Local municipalities are responsible for early childhood education and care in Slovenia.

You may be able to apply for free or reduced kindergarten fees. Read the Slovenian government’s guidance on:

• family rights and benefits in Slovenia

• enrolling your child in kindergarten

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Slovenia, register the birth with the Slovenian authorities.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate

• apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad

• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Slovenia, read guidance on:

• what to do when someone dies in Slovenia

• English-speaking funeral directors in Slovenia

• reporting a death in Slovenia

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad. 

The Slovenian government provides information on:

• marriage in Slovenia

• partnerships and civil unions in Slovenia

• marriage and cohabitation in Slovenia

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The European e-Justice portal offers guidance on divorce and legal separation in Slovenia.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Slovenia.

Documents for British people in Slovenia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

• legalising and certifying UK documents

• marriage and civil partnership documents

• affirmations and affidavits

• witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Slovenia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Slovenia, read guidance on:

• travelling to and from Slovenia with pets

• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Slovenia through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Slovenian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.