The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit in the country are the continuous legal stay of a foreigner in the Republic of Slovenia for five years on the basis of a temporary residence permit, as well as the fulfillment of the conditions necessary for obtaining a temporary residence permit. You can submit an application with a request for a permanent residence permit yourself or it can be submitted by your legal representative or an authorized person to the administrative-territorial authority on which territory you live. During the period of consideration and decision-making regarding your application, you must stay in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit.

The period of stay on the basis of a long-term residence visa is credited to you during the period for issuing a permanent residence permit if before the expiration of the visa you applied for a temporary residence permit and you were issued a residence permit as a person with a long-term residence visa.

The period of stay on the basis of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of education and vocational training, when calculating the period for issuing a permanent residence permit, is counted only as half the term.

The accrual of the period for issuing a permanent residence permit does not include the time spent in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit for an employee for the purpose of performing seasonal work, an employee sent to perform work, or a person under temporary protection.

If you are the holder of an EU Blue Card, then in the five-year period for issuing a permanent residence permit you will also be credited with possible periods of stay in other EU member states on the basis of an EU Blue Card. 

If you have a permanent residence permit or refugee status in the Republic of Slovenia, your family members may be issued a permanent residence permit after two years of continuous legal residence in the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of a temporary residence permit or confirmation of a submitted application with a request to extend or issue a further temporary residence permit.

To obtain a residence permit in Slovenia, as in most EU countries, applicants need solid reasons:

• Employment in Slovenia (Please note that in this case, the applicant must know the Slovenian language at a good level)

• Studying in Slovenia (students have the right to live in Slovenia with the entire family, however, taking into account the new immigration policy, their documents will be checked especially carefully)

• Marriage to a Slovenian citizen

Please note that, unlike many European countries, buying property in Slovenia is not a basis for issuing a residence permit. For each category of applicants, there are certain quotas and restrictions on obtaining and extending a residence permit in Slovenia.

More details about the requirements and the package of necessary documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit can be found on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The rules and regulations for obtaining citizenship in the country are described in the Law "On Citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia" (Zakon o držавljanstvu Republike Slovenije), adopted on June 5, 1991. According to this document, you can become a citizen of Slovenia either by birth (being a blood relative of a Slovenian) or by the naturalization procedure. Foreigners are offered the second option, and the country's legislation provides for 2 methods – a standard and preferential naturalization procedure in Slovenia.

Standard naturalization

The standard procedure provides for 10 years of residence in the country without a criminal record and with sufficient financial support. At the same time, for the first 5 years, the applicant is staying in Slovenia with a temporary residence permit, which changes the permanent residence permit for the next term.

Preferential naturalization

Reduction of compulsory 10-year residence to 1 year is possible for the following categories of applicants:

• ethnic Slovenes - those who have a strong affinity with the citizens of the country in the 2nd and 3rd generations;

• official spouses of citizens of the country;

• those whose parents became citizens of Slovenia as a result of naturalization;

• applicants who have special merits to the country in the field of science, sports or culture.

Documents required for registration of Slovenian citizenship:

• the applicant's birth certificate;

• applicant's passport;

• copy of domestic passport;

• marriage certificate (if any);

• birth certificates of parents;

• official biography (brief information about the applicant).

Mandatory requirements:

• Absence of criminal and administrative violations

• Successful passage of the Slovenian language proficiency exam

• Proof of sufficient financial security.

Please note: although second citizenship in Slovenia is allowed, the naturalization procedure provides for the renunciation of the first citizenship.

More details about the requirements and the package of necessary documents for obtaining citizenship can be found on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Dual citizenship is allowed in Slovenia unless persons acquire Slovenian citizenship by naturalization — in this case, they are usually obliged to renounce any foreign citizenship they have.

An application for a permit of this type can be submitted by a foreigner who plans to perform or continue working in a profession requiring high qualifications in Slovenia.

In Slovenia, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period of up to two years and gives the right to enter, live, work, leave and re-enter Slovenia within the period for which it was issued.

As a rule, you apply for a Blue Card at the Slovenian Consulate in your country of citizenship or country of residence. You can also apply for a Blue Card directly in Slovenia at the relevant foreign police station if you are legally residing in Slovenia.

Additional information on the conditions for obtaining a Blue Card and a list of required documents can be found on the European Immigration Portal: https://ec.europa.eu/immigration/slovenia_en