For an entry into the Republic of Slovenia a foreign citizen needs an identification (i.e. passport or ID card) and an entry permit (i.e. visa or residence permit). Entry permit should be obtained before entering the Slovenia. Whether one need an actual entry permit, depends on his/her home country.
Countries of the world are grouped in 3 groups:
- Group 1: entry permit is needed;
- Group 2: no explicit entry permit for short stay (up to 90 days), but for longer stay a person needs one;
- Group 3: a person needs an explicit entry permit, regardless of the duration and purpose of the stay in the Slovenia.
All EU and EEA/EFTA countries are in the Group 1. A list of countries in Groups 2 and 3 is available here.
There are several types of entry permits. For students, researchers and higher education lecturers and their family members, the most relevant entry permits are:
- Short-term visa
- Long-term visa
- Residence permit for study
- Residence permit for research
- Residence permit for employment
- Blue Card
- Residence permit for family reunion.
Which type of entry permit is appropriate, depends on the duration and purpose of your stay in the Slovenia.
| Purpose | You need |
| Student exchange (up to 12 months) | Visa or Residence permit |
| Degree study | Residence permit (Article 44) |
| Research or HE lecturing without employment | Residence permit (Article 38) |
| Research or HE lecturing with employment | Residence permit or Blue Card or Visa D |
Citizens of EU and EEA countries do not need entry permit, regardless of the duration and/or purpose of the stay. Those who wish to stay in Slovenia more than 90 days have to register their residence at the nearest Administrative Unit. Cost of the Residence registration certificate is approximately 12,00 EUR. Residence registration certificate is valid for up to 5 years before it can be renewed.
For a Residence registration certificate you need:
- Valid ID document
- Color photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
- Health insurance (e.g. European Health Insurance Card)
- Also known as “Visa C” or "Schengen visa"
- Duration of stay: up to 90 days
- Purpose of the stay: any reason that requires short-term stay in Slovenia
- Where to get it: Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia
- Where to get it: Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or other authorized EU Member States’ representation
- When to get it: 3 months before planned arrival at the earliest
- The cost: 80,00 EUR (35,00 EUR for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Russian federation, Serbia and Ukraine). Additional costs may apply.
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document (i.e. passport)
- Color photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
- Letter of Guarantee provided by your host
- Supporting documentation – for specific and detailed list refer to the closest Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia. Supporting documentation can include: proof of sufficient travel health insurance, proof of sufficient financial resources, documents explaining purpose of the travel, etc.)
N.B.
- Visa applications have to be submitted in person.
- At the application
stage you have to submit fingerprints. - Visa can only be given to
applicant in person, therefore plan two trips to appropriate embassy or consulate. - Your travel health insurance must cover at least 30.000,00 € and it must cover whole period of stay and whole Schengen area.
- It can take up to 3 months before visa is granted, so start the procedure in time.
Legislative basis: EU Visa Code
- Duration of stay: 91 days to 1 year
- Purpose of the stay: student exchange (more than 90 days), research or work in higher education – if in interest of the Republic of Slovenia
- Where to get it: Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia
- Where to get it: Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it: 3 months before arrival at the earliest
- The cost: 77,00 EUR. Additional costs may apply
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document (passport)
- Colour photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
- Supporting documentation – for specific and detailed list refer to the closest Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia. Supporting documentation can include: proof of sufficient travel health insurance, proof of sufficient financial resources, documents explaining purpose of the travel, etc.)
N.B.
- Visa applications have to be submitted in person.
- At the application stage you have to submit fingerprints.
- Visa can only be given to applicant in person, therefore plan two trips to appropriate embassy or consulate.
- Your travel health insurance must cover at least 30.000,00 € and it must cover whole period of stay and whole Schengen area.
- It can take up to 3 months before visa is granted, so start the procedure in time.
Legislative basis: Aliens Act (ZTuj-2) (Document is in Slovene only)
- Duration of stay: up to 1 year (can be renewed)
- Purpose of the stay: full time study
- Where to get it:
- Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or
- at administrative units in the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it:
- Before arrival or
- After arrival (if entry into country is with visa C or visa D)
- The cost:
- 67,00 EUR (at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia) or
- 127,00 EUR at the Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional costs may apply (such as application fee and cost of permit printing).
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document (passport)
- Proof of health insurance (valid for whole EU territory)
- Proof of financial capacity (income at least 402,18 EUR - source
- A police clearance certificate (not older than three months)
- Colour photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
- Matriculation certificate
- IELTS Certificate for UKVI Academic and General Training', at least level B2 by CEFR
N.B.
- Official documents that are annexed to the application form are to be translated in Slovene language and certified. You can ask for a working translation of your documents at the Embassy – they might help you.
- Proof of financial capacity can be a student’s statement that he/she has sufficient financial capacity.
Residence permit renewal:
- Renewal application submitted before currently valid permit expires.
- Can be issued under same conditions as currently valid residence permit.
Legislative basis: Aliens Act (ZTuj-2) (Document is in Slovene only), Article 44
- Duration of stay: up to 1 year (can be renewed)
- Purpose of the stay: research or lecturing in higher education without employment
- Where to get it:
- Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or
- at administrative units in the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it:
- Before arrival or
- After arrival (if entry into country is with visa C or visa D)
- The cost:
- 67,00 EUR (at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia) or
- 127,00 EUR at the Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional costs may apply (such as application fee and cost of permit printing).
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document
- Proof of health insurance (valid for whole EU territory)
- Proof of financial capacity (income at least 402,18 EUR - source
- A police clearance certificate (not older than 3 months)
- Colour photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
- Hosting agreement with research or higher education organization.
N.B.
- Official documents that are annexed to the application form are to be translated in Slovene language and certified. You can ask for a working translation at the Embassy.
Residence permit renewal:
Renewal application submitted beforecurrently valid permit expires.- Can be issued under
same conditions as currently valid residence permit.
Legislative basis: Aliens Act (ZTuj-2) (Document is in Slovene only), Article 38
- Duration of stay: up to 1 year (can be renewed)
- Purpose of the stay: employment at research or higher education organization
- Where to get it:
- Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or
- at administrative units in the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it:
- Before arrival or
- After arrival (if entry into country is with visa C or visa D)
- The cost:
- 87,00 EUR (at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia) or
- 127,00 EUR at the Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional costs may apply (such as application fee and cost of permit printing).
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document
- Proof of health insurance (valid for whole EU territory)
- Proof of financial capacity (income at least 402,18 EUR - source
- A police clearance certificate (not older than three months)
- Colour photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
Employment agreement with research or tertiary education organization
N.B.
- Official documents that are annexed to the application form are to be translated in Slovene language and certified. You can ask for a working translation at the Embassy.
- Unified residence permit works as work permit as well.
Residence permit renewal:
Renewal application submitted beforecurrently valid permit expires.- Can be issued under
same conditions as currently valid residence permit.
Legislative basis: Aliens Act (ZTuj-2) (Document is in Slovene only)
- Duration of stay: up to 2 years (extension possible to 3 years)
- Purpose of the stay: work in research or higher education
- Where to get it:
- Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or
- at administrative units in the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it:
- Before arrival or
- After arrival (if entry into country is with visa C or visa D)
- The cost:
- 87,00 EUR (at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia) or
- 127,00 EUR at the Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional costs may apply (such as application fee and cost of permit printing).
Requirements:
- Application form
- Valid travel document
- Employment contract
- Proof of health insurance
- Evidence of qualifications or professional competence
- Colour photography (3,5 x 4,5 cm)
N.B.
- Official documents that are annexed to the application form are to be translated into Slovene language and certified. You can ask for a working translation at the Embassy.
• Legislative basis: Aliens Act (ZTuj-2) (Document is in Slovene only)
All foreign citizens, staying in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of the residence permit (primary residence permit holders), have the possibility to invite their family members as well. Temporary residence permit holders have to wait one year before they have this possibility. Blue Card and research and higher education purposes residence permit holders, can invite their family members immediately, i.e. without waiting for one year.
- Duration of stay: Family members can stay as long as the primary residence permit holder.
- Purpose of the stay: family reunification
- Where to get it:
- Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia or
- at administrative units in the Republic of Slovenia
- When to get it: after primary residence permit holder receives his/her permit and when all the requirements are met
- The cost:
- 67,00 EUR (at the administrative unit in the Republic of Slovenia) or
- 127,00 EUR at the Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Slovenia. Additional costs may apply (such as application fee and cost of permit printing).
Certification
For citizens of countries that are Contracting states of Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (list of contracting states), certification is done by competent authority of relevant country (list of competent authorities). In the countries that are not contracting states of The Hague Convention, documents have to first certified by home Ministry for foreign affairs and then verified by a. embassy or consulate of the Republic of Slovenia or b. embassy or consulate of the home country and Ministry for foreign affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
First thing to do after arrival
All foreign citizens have to register at nearest police station 3 days after their crossing of the state border.