Guidance

Travel to Slovenia for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Slovenia and how to get one if you do.

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
20 July 2021
Last updated
15 April 2024 — See all updates

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Slovenia to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Slovenia is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Slovenian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with the with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Slovenia. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities.

All documents should be:

  • provided as originals or certified copies
  • translated into Slovenian

You must also check if documents should be:

  • ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
  • signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
  • dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa. This guide uses the same terms used in Slovenia, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Slovenia’s authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Slovenia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

  • attending job interviews
  • engaging in activities to establish a market presence in Slovenia
  • conducting research or developing professional contacts
  • attending a board meeting
  • attending a trade show, seminar or workshop (unpaid) without selling or supplying goods to customers
  • attending, speaking or presenting at a conference (unpaid)
  • meeting clients, customers, business partners or colleagues
  • attending meetings with contractors or vendors
  • entertainment (within the context of networking and strengthening your relationship with the client)
  • fact-finding visits
  • troubleshooting machinery or hardware and software issues
  • signing, negotiating and executing deals or contracts

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • international health insurance that covers your stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip

Register with the Slovenian police

If you’re travelling on a visa waiver, and plan to stay for more than 3 days (even as a tourist), you must register where you’re staying with the local police and inform them when you leave. You need to do this in person.

If you’re staying in a hotel or guest house, they will register you when processing your arrival.

If you’re staying with friends or family, your host can register you online if they have a digital certificate.

You do not need to register with the police if you’re applying for a visa or permit.

Check Slovenia’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

You may not need a visa or permit if you’re in Slovenia for up to 90 days in a year for:

  • coaches and professional sports people taking part in sports competitions
  • foreign media reporters or correspondents
  • service providers contracted to work for the Ministry of Defence or Ministry of the Interior on security and defence of the state, including those training in these areas
  • crew members of a ship or aircraft, or road or railway transport as long as you’re employed outside of Slovenia
  • tour guides or tour leaders accompanying tourist groups or mountain guides – your activities must comply with the laws governing tourist and mountain guides
  • those working in Slovenia’s interest in the fields of economy, education, science or culture
  • priests, nuns or monks from registered religious communities
  • organisers of charitable and humanitarian activities for recognised humanitarian organisations or registered religious communities
  • company founders or supervisory board members registered as such in the Slovenian court register – this does not include registered company representatives
  • service providers in the cultural sector participating in art workshops, meetings, ‘art colonies’ or other cultural events, including reporters for such events
  • representatives of a company listed in the Slovenian business register – your employer needs to submit an online notification to the employment service in Slovenia before you start working

Also, collaborators, creators or interpreters in the fields of:

  • music and musical performance
  • dance
  • literary arts
  • visual arts, such as photography, video and film, electronic media art, architecture and design and inter-media art
  • performing arts
  • experts in cultural heritage preservation, librarianship, archival science, including accompanying teaching, reporting, organisational or technical staff

After-sales work

Those carrying out work from an after-sales agreement for up to 14 consecutive days a year or a total of 90 days within a 1 year-period.

Your employer needs to submit an online notification to the employment service in Slovenia before you start working. They may also need to submit a certificate of inclusion in the social system.

EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) permit holders

If you have an EU ICT from another country you can work in Slovenia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Your employer will need to notify the Slovenian Labour Authority (employment service) and Administrative Units Service within 8 days of you moving to Slovenia.

You can check with the Administrative Units Service if your work is exempt. They can confirm within 15 days whether you can work without a full work permit.

Exemptions are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Show proof of exemption

  • an assignment letter
  • employment confirmation
  • a contract
  • proof of required qualifications, such as diploma and professional certificates
  • CV
  • proof of registration in the company’s register if you’re travelling as a legal representative for a company

Register with the Slovenian police

If you’re travelling on a Slovenian exemption, and plan to stay for more than 3 days (even as a tourist), you must register where you’re staying with the local police and inform them when you leave. You need to do this in person.

If you’re staying in a hotel or guest house, they will register you when processing your arrival.

If you’re staying with friends or family, your host can register you online if they have a digital certificate.

You do not need to register with the police if you’re applying for a visa or permit.

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with Slovenia’s immigration authorities or embassy.

Taking your family

If you have a spouse and any unmarried children under 18 they can join you immediately if you have a:

  • EU Blue Card
  • EU ICT
  • permit to work as a researcher, a higher education teacher or assistant

For the other permits listed in this guide family members can usually join you after 2 years. You’ll need to check on the immigration requirements for your family before they join you.

They may be able to join you for up to 90 days on a visitor visa or under the visa waiver rules.

Single work and residence permits

Slovenia does not offer any short-term permits. You need to apply for a long-term single work and residence permit if you’re in Slovenia because you’re:

Long-term permits are normally issued for 1 year, but can be extended for up to 3 years, depending on which one you need.

Transferring from a UK-based company to a branch in Slovenia

You can apply for one of these permits if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Slovenia:

Single permit for posted workers

To qualify you must:

  • have the relevant education and professional experience
  • have worked with your UK employer for at least 6 months if you have a degree, or 9 months if you don’t
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll
  • earn at least Slovenia’s minimum wage

This permit takes up to 3 to 5 months to get. It’s issued for 1 year but only allows up to 90 days per calendar year. It can be extended.

If you’re providing a service to a client in Slovenia and your UK employer does not have capital ties with the company in Slovenia you’ll be issued with a single permit that’s valid for 3 months. You may be able to extend it for 1 month.

Capital ties means one of the companies has a majority ownership and exercises a control over the other.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit a single permit application and your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate. Your employer can also submit the application to the Administrative Units Service on your behalf.

  2. You submit your fingerprints at the Slovenian embassy or consulate if your employer is applying for you.

  3. You collect your single permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  4. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • copy of your UK passport with at least the first page and bio page, valid for 3 months longer than your intended stay (notarised and legalised with an apostille)
  • recent passport photo
  • assignment letter from your UK employer
  • UK employment contract
  • proof of health insurance that covers your stay
  • enough money to support yourself (and your family members, if they come with you) during your stay
  • police clearance certificate legalised with an apostille
  • business register extract (Poslovni register Slovenije) for the company in Slovenia and the Companies House listing for the company in the UK
  • organisational charts or contracts showing the relationship between the UK and Slovenian companies
  • accommodation lease agreement in Slovenia

EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) permit

You need an EU ICT single permit if your UK-based employer moves you to a Slovenian branch for up to:

  • 3 years
  • 1 year if you’re a trainee

To qualify you must:

  • be a manager, specialist or trainee
  • have the relevant education and professional experience
  • have worked with your UK employer for at least 9 months, or 6 months if you’re a trainee
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll
  • earn a monthly gross salary that’s higher than Slovenia’s minimum wage

If you’re a manager or specialist the EU ICT permit is usually issued for up to 12 months. You can renew it for 12 months at a time up to 3 years. If you’re a trainee it’s only valid for 1 year and you cannot extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit a single permit application and your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate. Your employer can also submit the application to the Administrative Units Service on your behalf.

  2. You submit your fingerprints at the Slovenian embassy or consulate if your employer is applying for you.

  3. You collect your permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  4. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • copy of your UK passport with at least the first page and bio page, valid for 3 months longer than your intended stay (notarised and legalised with an apostille)
  • assignment letter from your UK employer
  • UK employment contract
  • proof of health insurance that covers your stay
  • police clearance certificate legalised with an apostille
  • business register extract (Poslovni register Slovenije) for the company in Slovenia and the Companies House listing for the company in the UK
  • organisational charts or contracts showing the relationship between the UK and Slovenian companies
  • proof of incorporation for the UK company
  • accommodation lease agreement in Slovenia

Working for a company in Slovenia on a Slovenian contract

You need one of the following work permits if you’ve been offered a job with a company in Slovenia:

Single permit (local hire)

To qualify for a local hire single permit you must:

  • have an offer of employment from a company in Slovenia
  • be placed on the Slovenian payroll
  • be paid an amount that’s in line with the collective bargaining agreement and at least Slovenia’s minimum wage
  • have the relevant education or professional requirements for the job

The local hire single permit takes between 2 to 6 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer in Slovenia submits the job vacancy to the employment office in Slovenia and they carry out a labour market test.

  2. You submit a single permit application and your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate. Your employer can also submit the application to the Administrative Units Service on your behalf.

  3. You submit your fingerprints at the Slovenian embassy or consulate if your employer is applying for you.

  4. You collect your single permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  5. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

You should start work no more than 15 days after the date you collected the permit 

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed application form
  • copy of your UK passport with at least the first page and bio page, valid for 3 months longer than your intended stay (notarised and legalised with an apostille)
  • statement letter detailing the job vacancy
  • job vacancy posting
  • statement from the Slovenian employment service stating that there are no suitable local candidates for the position
  • enough money to support yourself (and your family members, if they come with you) during your stay
  • degree or other qualification certificates (legalised with an apostille)
  • employment contract signed by the Slovenian employer
  • proof of health insurance that covers your stay
  • statement from the employer stating whether or not they will provide accommodation for you and meet minimum housing standard requirements
  • police clearance certificate legalised with an apostille
  • statement showing the financial health of the employer and proof that they’ve paid all their taxes

EU Blue Card

To qualify for an EU Blue Card (single permit) you must:

  • have an offer of employment from a Slovenian company for at least 1 year
  • have a 3-year university degree or a higher specialist education
  • meet the requirements of the position
  • be paid at least 1.5 times the most recent published average gross annual salary

The EU Blue Card takes between 2 to 5 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

Your spouse and unmarried children under 18 can join you as dependants with this permit type.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer in Slovenia submits the job vacancy to the employment office in Slovenia and they carry out a labour market test.

  2. You submit a single permit application and your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate. Your employer can also submit the application to the Administrative Units Service on your behalf.

  3. You submit your fingerprints at the Slovenian embassy or consulate if your employer is applying for you.

  4. You collect your permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  5. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

You should start work no more than 15 days after the date you collected the permit.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

Self-employed work

To qualify for a single permit for self-employed work (private entrepreneur) you must:

  • have lived in Slovenia for at least 1 year (unless you’re providing independent professional services)
  • be registered in the Slovenian Business Register

This permit takes up to 5 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit a single permit application and your fingerprints at the Slovenian embassy or consulate.

  2. You collect your single permit from the Administrative Units Service once approved.

  3. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

‘Special’ professions

You can apply for a single permit if you have one of these ‘special’ professions:

  • sports trainer or professional athlete signing a contract with a sports club in Slovenia, or self-employed with a professional sports certificate
  • foreign media reporter or correspondent on assignment in Slovenia with a valid press card
  • priest or other registered religious community professional with a certificate from a religious or humanitarian organisation, carrying out charitable or humanitarian work

The single permit takes up 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit a single permit application and fingerprints with the Slovenian embassy or consulate.

  2. You collect your single permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  3. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed application form
  • copy of your UK passport with at least the first page and bio page, valid for 3 months longer than your intended stay (notarised and legalised with an apostille)
  • recent passport photo
  • proof of your profession, such as a sports certificate, press card, confirmation from a religious or humanitarian organisation
  • employment, assignment or work contracts, if applicable
  • proof of health insurance covering your stay
  • enough money to support yourself
  • police clearance certificate legalised with an apostille

Research work, teaching or assisting in higher education

You need a temporary residence permit to work as a researcher, a higher education teacher or assistant.

To qualify you must have a hosting agreement with a research organisation or higher education institution in Slovenia.

The temporary residence permit takes up to 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.

How it works

You need to check with Slovenia’s embassy or immigration authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You submit a temporary residence permit application and your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate. The research organisation can also submit the application to the Administrative Units Service on your behalf.

  2. You submit your fingerprints to the Slovenian embassy or consulate if the research organisation is applying for you.

  3. You collect your permit from the Slovenian embassy once approved.

  4. You register your address at the Administrative Units Service within 8 days of arriving in Slovenia.

Application documents

Slovenia’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed application form
  • copy of your UK passport with at least the first page and bio page, valid for 3 months longer than your intended stay (notarised and legalised with an apostille)
  • recent passport photo
  • agreement with the research or higher education institution
  • proof of health insurance covering your stay
  • enough money to support yourself
  • police clearance certificate legalised with an apostille

Slovenian government guidance

Read official government information on visa, permits and residence in Slovenia.  

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check foreign travel advice for Slovenia, for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Published 20 July 2021
Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Update to the visa application waiting times in the how it works section for the EU Blue card and self employed work.

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

  3. Updated link to UK police criminal records office (ACRO) for getting a police clearance certificate. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

  4. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

  5. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

  6. Copies of UK passports provided as accompanying documentation must be notarised and legalised with an apostille. The processing times for local hire single permits and EU Blue Cards have been extended due to delays. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  7. Updated to clarify that only unmarried children can join you as dependants. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  8. To qualify for the single permit for self-employed work (private entrepreneur) you must have lived in Slovenia for at least 1 year.

  9. First published.

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