Emigration to Slovenia: how can Ukrainians move there in 2025?

Life in Slovenia attracts thousands of Ukrainians – the mild climate, opportunities for education and employment are significant advantages for emigrants. Find out what the rules are for entering Slovenia, what the advantages of working in Slovenia are, and get the answer to the main question – how to emigrate to Slovenia

Legal advice on migration issues

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Ukrainians in Slovenia have opportunities for education, employment and tourism. In addition, Slovenia is open and welcoming to refugees from Ukraine: since 2022, temporary protection has been provided in Slovenia for Ukrainians. Immigration to Slovenia has its own nuances, which, in accordance with current legislation and international agreements, are highlighted on the following websites:

– Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia (Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Slovenia);

– Slovenian Police;

– Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia (Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities);

– Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia.

Read more about this and other topics below.

Are you planning to emigrate to Slovenia? Visit Ukraine specialists will help you every step of the way.

Visa to Slovenia for Ukrainians in 2025: main types and requirements

For long-term stays and emigration to Slovenia, foreigners who are not EU/EEA citizens need a national long-term visa (D visa) or a residence permit, which is issued by Slovenian consular offices abroad.

To choose the right visa and avoid difficulties when crossing the border, contact qualified visa specialists on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Main types of visas and residence permits for emigration

Work visa (residence permit for employment): Issued to those who have received a job offer from a Slovenian employer.

Student visa (residence permit for study): For those who plan to study at Slovenian educational institutions.

Residence permit for family reunification: For family members of those who already have a residence permit in Slovenia.

Residence permit for business/investment purposes.

Work visa to Slovenia

Applying for a work visa (or, more precisely, a temporary residence permit for employment) usually requires the following:

1. A valid foreign passport.

2. A completed visa application form.

3. Passport-size photographs.

4. The original employment contract with a Slovenian employer.

5. Work permit – the employer must usually obtain a work permit for a foreigner from the Slovenian Employment Service.

6. Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses.

7. Medical insurance.

8. Certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin.

9. Proof of accommodation in Slovenia.

Student visa to Slovenia

For students, the process of obtaining a residence permit has its own peculiarities:

1. Valid foreign passport.

2. Completed visa application form.

3. Passport-size photographs.

4. Original letter of enrolment at an accredited Slovenian educational institution.

5. Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses (e.g., bank statement, sponsorship letter).

6. Medical insurance.

7. Proof of accommodation in Slovenia (e.g., dormitory or apartment rental agreement).

8. Certificate of no criminal record (may be required).

Follow the link to find out when you need insurance to enter Slovenia and how to get it.

How to move to Slovenia: preparation stages

The process of emigrating to Slovenia usually consists of several main stages:

First step: choose the type of visa and collect the documents

Determine the purpose of your move (work, study, family, business) and, accordingly, the type of visa or residence permit you need. Carefully read the full list of required documents on the official website of the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior or the Slovenian Embassy in your country. Start collecting all the documents, have them translated and notarised, if necessary.

Step two: submit your documents

Submit the complete set of documents to the Slovenian Embassy or Consulate in your country. In some cases, the application may be submitted through visa centres. Be sure to make an appointment in advance, as queues can be long.

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Step three: biometric data collection

When submitting your documents (or during a separate visit), you will need to provide your biometric data – fingerprints and a digital photograph.

Step four: obtaining a visa

After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will be issued a national D visa or notified of the possibility of obtaining a residence permit upon arrival in Slovenia. Carefully check all the information on your visa and observe its validity period.

Visit Ukraine specialists can help you at every stage of the migration process – get advice and make sure your emigration to Slovenia is successful!

How to obtain a residence permit in Slovenia?

A residence permit (temporary residence permit) is a key document for long-term stay in Slovenia.

If you have obtained a D visa: This visa allows you to enter Slovenia. Upon arrival, you must contact the local Administrative Unit (Upravna enota) at your place of residence to apply for a temporary residence card. Usually, a D visa is already sufficient to obtain a residence permit.

If you applied directly for a permit: In some cases, especially for certain categories of migrants (e.g. family reunification), you can apply for a residence permit directly in Slovenia, but this is more often done from abroad.

To obtain a residence permit, you will need to provide the original documents that you submitted for your visa, as well as complete additional procedures, such as registering your place of residence.

In what cases can you be denied a residence permit in Slovenia?

A residence permit may be denied for various reasons. The most common ones are:

1. Incomplete or incorrect documents.

2. Inaccurate information.

3. Lack of grounds – inability to prove the purpose and grounds for staying in Slovenia.

4. Insufficient financial capacity.

5. Problems with medical insurance.

6. Criminal record or threat to security.

7. Violation of migration legislation – previous violations of the visa or migration regime of Slovenia or other Schengen countries.

8. Sanitary and epidemiological risks.

For detailed instructions on how to obtain a residence permit in Slovenia in 2025, follow the link.

How to obtain Slovenian citizenship?

Obtaining Slovenian citizenship is a lengthy process that requires compliance with a number of conditions. The main ways to obtain citizenship are:

Naturalisation: This is the most common route. The main requirements for naturalisation are:

1. Legal and continuous residence in Slovenia for a certain period (usually 10 years, of which the last 5 years must be continuous residence prior to submitting the application). For some categories (e.g. marriage to a Slovenian citizen), this period may be shortened.

2. Renunciation of previous citizenship (with some exceptions).

3. Sufficient knowledge of the Slovenian language (confirmed by an exam).

4. Sufficient financial means to live.

5. No criminal record and no threat to public order or safety.

6. Knowledge of Slovenian history and culture (may be tested).

By origin: Children of Slovenian citizens, regardless of their place of birth, are entitled to citizenship.

Through marriage: A person who has been married to a Slovenian citizen for a certain period of time (usually at least 2 years) and has been residing in Slovenia (usually 1 year prior to submitting the application) may apply for citizenship under a simplified procedure.

Reminder! We previously reported in which cases Ukrainians need to obtain Slovenian motor vehicle insurance.

Photo: generated by Gemini

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