Foreigners who come to work in Slovenia can get a job for a short period of time. Usually, short-term work lasts up to three months. An additional visa is not required for short-term work. 

Please note that EU citizens do not need to apply for a visa or work permit.

Persons who do not have the right to enter the country without a visa must apply for a Schengen visa for work purposes

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Documents required to obtain a Slovenian Schengen visa for work/business

• Application form
• One photo
• Passport, which must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• National identity card and residence permit/visa (if the country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Medical insurance. The insurance must cover the entire duration of the visa and all planned days of stay. The insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros.
• Proof of accommodation (Letter of invitation/sponsorship from the host party if you will be staying with someone; document from the institution providing accommodation or any other relevant document indicating accommodation)
• Proof of financial resources - a bank/credit card statement covering at least the previous three months

Please note that the embassy may require additional documents

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Visa processing time 

The average time for issuing a Slovenian visa for work/business is 5-15 calendar days. It depends on your country of application.

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Visa fee 

When applying for a Slovenian visa for work/business, each applicant must pay a visa fee. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the visa application. Currently, the Schengen visa fee for citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia has been reduced to 35 euros. In other countries, this amount is 90 euros for people aged 12 and over, 45 euros for children aged 6-12, and children under 6 are exempt from visa fees.

Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their citizenship:

• Close relatives of persons legally residing in the Schengen area (close relatives include spouse, children (including adopted children), parents (or guardians), grandparents, grandchildren)
• Pensioners
• Members of official delegations, including permanent members of official delegations participating in official meetings, consultations, negotiations and exchange programs, as well as in events of intergovernmental organizations upon official invitation
• Schoolchildren, students, postgraduates and teaching staff traveling with them for research and educational purposes as part of an official educational program
• If necessary, disabled persons and persons accompanying them
• Participants of international sports events and persons accompanying them in connection with their professional activities
• Official visits of journalists and technical staff

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Where to apply for a visa?

You apply for a Slovenian visa for work/business at Slovenian visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If there is no such center in your country, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate at your address. The list of foreign diplomatic missions of Slovenia can be found here: https://www.gov.si/en/representations/

For legal long-term employment in Slovenia, a foreigner must obtain a national visa. A national visa, denoted by the symbol "D," entitles you to enter and stay in Slovenia for an uninterrupted period of time. The validity of a national visa cannot exceed 1 year. 

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Documents required to obtain a Slovenian national visa

• Application form
• One photo
• A passport that must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• National identity card and residence permit/visa (if the country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Medical insurance. The insurance must cover the entire duration of the visa and all planned days of stay. The insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros.
• Proof of employment in Slovakia (invitation from the employer, employment contract)
• Certificate of no criminal record 

Please note that the embassy may require additional documents

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Visa processing time

The average time for issuing a Slovenian national visa is 7-21 calendar days. It depends on your country of application.

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Visa fee 

The visa fee for a Slovenian National Long Stay visa is 77 EUR. Please note that this amount may vary depending on your country of application.

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Where to apply for a Slovenian National Visa?

You apply for a Slovenian national visa at Slovenian visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If your country does not have one, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate at your address. The list of foreign diplomatic missions of Slovenia can be found here: https://www.gov.si/en/representations/

A temporary residence visa for seasonal work may be granted to a foreigner if the purpose of his/her stay is to work on the basis of a seasonal work permit. Seasonal employment may last for a maximum period of six months.

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Documents required for obtaining a Slovenian national visa

• Application form
• One photo
• Passport, which must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• National identity card and residence permit/visa (if the country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Medical insurance. The insurance must cover the entire duration of the visa and all planned days of stay. The insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros.
• Proof of employment in Slovenia (an invitation from the employer, an employment contract)
• Certificate of no criminal record 

Please note that the embassy may require additional documents

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Visa processing time

The average time for issuing a Slovenian national visa is 7-21 calendar days. It depends on your country of application.

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Visa fee 

The visa fee for a Slovenian National Long Stay visa is 77 EUR. Please note that this amount may vary depending on your country of application.

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Where to apply for a Slovenian National Visa?

You apply for a Slovenian national visa at Slovenian visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If your country does not have one, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate at your address. The list of foreign diplomatic missions of Slovenia can be found here: https://www.gov.si/en/representations/

A work permit is usually issued in response to an application from an employer.  The main condition for issuing a work permit is the current situation on the labor market or the lack of suitable domestic applicants. A work permit is issued for a period of up to one year with the possibility of its extension.

A work permit is mandatory for all non-EU citizens.

More information on the conditions for obtaining a work permit is available on the website of the Employment Service of Slovenia.

Labor law in Slovenia regulates labor relations between employers and employees. The main documents regulating these issues are the Labor Act (Zakon o delovnih razmerjih) and other relevant regulations. We will provide general information on some aspects of labor law in Slovenia:

1. Labor rights: The Labor Law defines the rights of employees, including the right to fair remuneration, working hours, vacation, protection against discrimination and other aspects of employment relations.
2. Minimum wage: The current minimum wage in Slovenia is 1,253.90 euros per month in 2024.
3. Working hours: The Labor Law establishes regulations on working hours, including the length of the working day and week, days off and rest breaks. Normal working hours are 40 hours per week.
4. Vacations: Employees are entitled to leave, including annual leave and special leave (e.g., for pregnant women, parents of young children, etc.). The law establishes the minimum duration and rights of employees during their leaves.
5. Employee rights and protections: The Labor Law defines various rights of employees, including protection from discrimination, the right to safe and healthy working conditions, the right to social security and other social benefits.
6. Working conditions: Legislation provides for the establishment of working conditions, such as payment of wages, working conditions for women, minors and disabled persons, rules on termination of employment and other issues relating to employees and employers.

Types of business companies in Slovenia

1. If an entrepreneur has at least 7,500 euros at his or her disposal and will run a small or medium-sized business with no more than 50 shareholders, it is advisable to open a Slovenian private limited liability company (D.O.O.), which has this name because its main characteristic is that its shareholders have limited liability for the company's debts, which is limited to their contribution to the capital.
2. If Slovenian or foreign entrepreneurs can dispose of a larger amount of authorized capital (at least EUR 25,000), they can open a Slovenian joint-stock company - a Slovenian JSC. The number of shareholders, unlike private limited liability companies, may exceed 50, and their liability is also limited to their contribution to the capital. 
3. At least two partners can establish a Slovenian general partnership, which is fully liable for the company's obligations. This type of business does not require a minimum authorized capital, but in the event of liquidation, the partners' assets can be used to cover the liabilities. 
4. The other form of partnership, the Slovenian limited partnership, consists of a silent partner, who must contribute and is liable for the company's debts to the extent of his contribution, and a general partner with unlimited liability in the partnership.

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Steps to establish a company in Slovenia 

Below are some of the first steps involved in the procedure of establishing a company in Slovenia:

1. decide on the legal form of the company (the most common options are a limited liability company and an open joint stock company)
2. obtain a tax identification number in Slovenia if the company is owned by foreigners;
3. create a company name in accordance with the requirements of the Slovenian legislation;
4. open a corporate bank account and deposit the minimum authorized capital required for the chosen legal entity;
5. draft a company charter and sign it at a notary;
6. register with the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services (AJPES); 
7. select the types of activities to be developed through a Slovenian company in accordance with the Standard Classification of Activities (SKD).

More details can be found here: https://spot.gov.si/en/info/company-registration/

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Tax regulation in Slovenia

• VAT (value added tax) - 22% standard rate; 9.5% reduced rate
• Corporate income tax - 19%.
• Personal income tax on a progressive scale: 16%, 27%, 34%, 39% and 50%.
• Social security contributions 16.1% paid by the employer; 22.1% paid by the employee
• 100% of the amount invested in R&D
• up to 40% of the amount invested in equipment and intangible long-term assets

Value added tax (VAT)

The Slovenian equivalent of VAT is DDV (davek na dodano vrednost). There are two tax rates - 22% and 9.5%. A person becomes a VAT payer when their business turnover exceeds 50,000 euros in the previous 12-month period. 

Corporate income tax

If you run a business in Slovenia, you generally have to pay corporate income tax. If your company's head office is located in another country, but you do business in Slovenia, you pay tax on the income earned in Slovenia. The general tax rate in 2017 is 19%.

Personal income tax

Personal income tax is paid only by individual entrepreneurs and individuals. Individuals are individuals who carry out certain professional activities (e.g. notaries, lawyers, journalists). 

Social security contributions

Social security contributions include payments for pension and disability insurance, health insurance, unemployment and maternity benefits.

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The first step in starting a business in Slovenia is to obtain a visa, the next step is to register a company, and the third step is to obtain a work permit.

1. The procedure for obtaining a visa

To enter the Republic of Slovenia, third-country nationals must have a visa in addition to a valid travel document.

At the initial stage, a multiple-entry visa is offered. After starting a business in Slovenia, you can apply for a residence permit.

Step by step:

• Obtain a letter of guarantee for business visits
• Apply in person at a diplomatic mission or consular post.

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2. Business registration procedure

There are several forms of business in Slovenia, the most common of which are a limited liability company (LLC) or d.o.o. and an individual entrepreneur (s.p.).

In the case of a simple limited liability company (d.o.o.) (one shareholder) or an individual entrepreneur (s.p.), you can start the procedure of establishment through the Slovenian Business Point portal (a digital certificate is required), or at one of the SPOT points and a notary.

The procedure for opening a company at a SPOT and through the Slovenian Business Point portal is free of charge. The company will be registered in about a week.

The cost of the procedure: 0.00 EUR at a SPOT; approx. 300-500 EUR at a notary.

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3. Procedure for obtaining a uniform residence and work permit (hereinafter: uniform permit)

All foreigners from non-EU countries must obtain a uniform residence and work permit in Slovenia.

A single application for such a permit is submitted, i.e. there is no need to obtain a work permit beforehand. The administrative body responsible for issuing a uniform residence and work permit ex officio obtains the consent of the Employment Service of Slovenia to issue a uniform residence and work permit. More information on the uniform permit can be found on the following website: https://infotujci.si/en/third-country-nationals/employment/. 

Foreigners can obtain it by registering a company in Slovenia or by finding an employer who will hire them. 

Types of work permits:

1. Employment permit
2. Individual work permit
3. Work permit

Foreigners who plan to establish and manage their own company or to be employed in it have various possibilities for obtaining a work permit in accordance with the Act on Employment and Work of Foreigners (hereinafter referred to as the Act ZZDT-1, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 26/2011).

Note: If a foreigner is the founder (owner) of a company but is not its representative, he/she does not need a work permit.

1. Work permit for foreign representatives

If a foreigner establishes or co-founds a private commercial company that he plans to manage or lead as a representative of the company (director, prosecutor, etc.), he needs to obtain a work permit for a foreign representative. Companies with ten or fewer employees can obtain no more than one work permit for a foreign representative.

A work permit for a foreign representative office may be issued for a period of up to two years and may be extended under the same conditions.

Procedure for obtaining a work permit An application for a work permit for a foreign representative office should be submitted to the Employment Service of Slovenia on the prescribed form ZRSZ-TUJ-3 together with all necessary supporting documents.

If the company has not been registered for six months, it can obtain a work permit for a foreign representative if it provides proof of investment in Slovenia in the amount of at least EUR 30,000 for the purpose of opening a company.

As for the evidence that is checked in the process of issuing a valid work permit, the information on the company's registration is important because it indicates whether the foreigner is listed as a representative of the company.

2. Work permit for majority owners

If a foreigner establishes or co-founds a d.o.o. or LLC in which he/she as an investor holds a majority share (at least 51%), he/she may be employed in such a company on the basis of a work permit without labor market control.

The procedure for issuing a work permit for a majority owner is simpler, as the permit is issued without checking the availability of suitable national candidates.

On the basis of such a permit, a foreigner may carry out the activities for which the company is registered in accordance with the vacancies and the employment contract concluded between the foreigner and the company.

Procedure for obtaining a work permit An application for a work permit for a majority owner should be submitted to the Employment Service of Slovenia on the prescribed form ZRSZ-TUJ-2 together with all necessary supporting documents.

In the process of issuing a work permit, the information on the company's registration is checked, as it indicates that the foreigner is the majority (at least 51%) owner of the company, and if he/she is a representative, he/she is not the only representative.

3. Individual work permit for self-employment of a foreigner

If a foreigner wishes to establish or co-found a private commercial company (k.d., d.n.o.) or register as an individual entrepreneur (s.p.), he/she may apply for an individual work permit for self-employment. The permit is issued for one year with the possibility of extension. A foreigner must obtain an individual work permit before registering a private commercial company or an individual entrepreneur. The foreigner must meet the following conditions:

• the foreigner has a valid residence permit and, at the time of submitting the application, has been continuously residing in the Republic of Slovenia for at least one year on the basis of a valid residence permit (the condition of continuous residence for one year is not met if the residence permit was issued for seasonal work, for the provision of cross-border services by seconded or appointed employees, or for training and advanced training)
• the foreigner submits evidence of his/her own financial resources in the amount of EUR 10,000
• the foreigner meets the conditions related to the ownership or lease of business premises for conducting activities, which is confirmed by submitting evidence of ownership of the premises or the relevant lease agreement for the premises in which he/she has a registered office.

An individual work permit for self-employment may also be obtained by foreigners who are included in the relevant and statutory register (e.g., athletes, artists, etc.). A work permit for self-employment can be renewed under the same conditions.

Procedure for obtaining a work permit: An application for an individual work permit should be submitted to the Employment Service of Slovenia on the standard form ZRSZ-TUJ-1 together with all necessary supporting documents. The issued individual work permit is the basis for the registration of a private commercial company or for registration as an individual entrepreneur.

Time: from 30 to 60 days, cost: about 90,00 euros

1. You need health insurance. As soon as you enter the country, you must take out health insurance. As an employed person, you are insured in the compulsory health insurance system of Slovenia, also known as the Health Insurance Institution of Slovenia (Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije- ZZZS). In addition, you can buy private insurance as a supplement, mainly to cover the cost of co-payments. 
2. You need to understand the cost of living. The cost of living in Slovenia varies greatly depending on which city you live in. In Ljubljana, life is usually a bit more expensive. However, in general, the cost of living is lower than in other European countries. The average monthly cost per person is about 650-750 euros, excluding accommodation. 
3. You should know the work culture. The work culture in Slovenia is very similar to other EU countries: people are dedicated to their work and hardworking. Working hours are usually typical - from 9 to 5. However, some public institutions can start working as early as 7:30. Most people get four weeks of paid vacation, but it can vary between public and private institutions. In any case, the country has a well-balanced work-life balance system that allows people to work but also enjoy their time off.
4. Improve your language skills: Although knowledge of the Slovenian language is not required for all jobs, it can be a great advantage. Learn the Slovenian language to increase your chances of employment.