SloveniaResidence

Slovenia permanent residence permit

Permanent residence permit (dovoljenje za stalno prebivanje)

In short

After five years of continuous lawful residence, foreigners can apply in Slovenia for a permanent residence permit, which allows unlimited residence and no longer needs renewing; only the card has to be replaced. You must have health insurance, sufficient means, a clean criminal record and a certificate of Slovenian at A2 level. Some groups, such as Blue Card holders and family members of Slovenian citizens, can apply earlier.

Apply on Infotujci - information point for foreigners checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Unlimited; the card has a validity date and is replaced before it expires.
Validity
Permanent permit; only the card expires.
Funds required
€507.43 per monthSufficient means are required; for single applicants measured against the basic minimum income (from 1 April 2026).
Processing time
No receipt is issued; keep your temporary permit valid throughout the procedure.
Work
Yes, without restrictions linked to an employer.
Family
Family members of a permanent resident can obtain permanent residence before five years.
Where to apply
Any administrative unit in Slovenia, in person or through an authorised person.

Earlier routes

Permanent residence before five years is possible for EU Blue Card holders who have lived lawfully in the EU for five years, the last two in Slovenia; foreigners whose stay is in the interest of Slovenia, with the opinion of the competent ministry; foreigners of Slovenian descent; and family members of a permanent resident, of a refugee, of a Slovenian citizen or of an EU citizen. A decision granting refugee status also counts as a permanent residence permit from the day it is served.

What counts towards five years

Lawful residence that counts includes temporary residence permits, receipts for first and extended permits, international protection status and a D visa if you applied for a permit before it expired. Residence on a study permit counts at half value, so two years of study count as one.

Residence for seasonal work, as a posted worker, as an intra-corporate transferee or as a daily commuter does not count, nor does time spent serving a prison sentence. Residence stays continuous if absences were shorter than six consecutive months and do not exceed ten months in total, or if you were posted abroad by your employer.

Conditions and language

Besides five years of continuous lawful residence, you need health insurance, sufficient means of subsistence, Slovenian at basic level and no criminal convictions. The application must include the certificate of a passed Slovenian exam at A2 level.

You are exempt from the language certificate if you are admitted to publicly valid programmes taught in Slovenian, have completed schooling at any level in Slovenia or Slovenian-language schools in neighbouring minority areas, are over 60 or under 18, are illiterate but pass an oral exam, or cannot take the exam for health reasons proven by an expert you pay yourself.

Required documents

Identity

  • Completed form 36, valid passport and a photo or photo repository reference number.

Money

  • Proof of sufficient means of subsistence.

Insurance

  • Proof of health insurance, if you are not compulsorily insured in Slovenia.

Other

  • Criminal record certificate from your home country.
  • Certificate of a passed Slovenian exam at basic level (A2), unless exempt.

Applying

Lodge form 36 at any administrative unit, yourself or through an authorised person, with your passport, photo, health insurance if you are not compulsorily insured in Slovenia, a criminal record certificate from your home country and the A2 certificate. No receipt is issued, so your temporary permit must remain valid during the whole procedure; extend it in time if the decision has not arrived.

When you collect the permanent residence card, register your permanent address at the administrative unit within eight days.

  1. Count five years of continuous lawful residence, with study years at half value.
  2. Pass the Slovenian A2 exam or confirm an exemption.
  3. Lodge form 36 at any administrative unit.
  4. Keep your temporary permit valid until the decision.
  5. Collect the card and register your permanent address within eight days.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

How many years for permanent residence in Slovenia?

Five years of continuous lawful residence, with study counted at half value. Some groups, such as Blue Card holders and family members of Slovenian citizens, can apply earlier.

What Slovenian level is required?

Basic level A2, shown with the certificate of a passed exam, unless an exemption applies, for example for people over 60.

How long can I be away from Slovenia?

Absences must be shorter than six consecutive months and not exceed ten months in total over the five years, unless you were posted abroad by your employer.

Does time as a seasonal worker count?

No. Seasonal work, posted work, intra-corporate transfer and daily commuting do not count towards the five years.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Slovenia

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Permit: the length of the programme, at most one year per permit, renewable. D visa: 3 months to 1 year.
  • Researcher visa Maximum stay: For the duration of the hosting agreement, renewable until the work is completed.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: The length of the traineeship, at most one year.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: For the duration of the employment contract, at most two years per permit.
  • EU Blue Card Maximum stay: Contract length plus three months, at most two years per card.
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days a year on a ZRSZ work permit; with a single permit, at most six months (exceptionally seven) of seasonal work per calendar year.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Managers and specialists: up to three years in total; trainees: up to one year.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to 9 months, once.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a new permit can be requested six months after the previous one expires.

Family

Protection

Slovenia visa guide