Slovenia student visa and study residence permit

The study permit is for third-country nationals who study in Slovenia, take part in exchanges with providers of publicly valid education programmes or accredited higher-education institutions, or train at authorised organisations. It is the route for full bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes.

Article 20 of the Foreigners Act also allows a D visa for participants in courses, studies or other education lasting from 3 months to one year, such as language courses, summer schools and Erasmus semesters. The D visa itself gives the right to study and live in Slovenia, so no separate residence permit is needed for that stay.

With the application form you submit a photo, a valid passport, health insurance covering at least emergency care in Slovenia, proof of means of subsistence, a criminal record certificate from your home country and the certificate of enrolment in the Slovenian programme. The administrative unit may ask for other papers depending on the case. If your parents must support you under the law of your country, a certified and translated parental statement of support is enough as proof of funds.

Funds are measured against the basic minimum income, EUR 507.43 a month from 1 April 2026, for every month of the planned stay.

The study permit is collected in person as a card, after biometric data (fingerprints and photo) have been taken. Once you hold the card and are in Slovenia, register your exact address at the administrative unit within eight days, with an identity document and proof of the right to live there, such as a lease or the owner’s written consent.

Students with a study permit may work through a student employment service or take up employment alongside their studies. The permit is tied to your enrolment certificate: if you interrupt, finish or leave your studies, tell the administrative unit straight away.

Apply for an extension before the current permit expires; it is renewed for up to one year at a time while you meet the conditions. To switch to employment you do not have to wait for the study permit to end: an employer can obtain an information sheet from the Employment Service, after which the administrative unit adds labour market access to your permit for an application fee of EUR 4.50, or you apply for a single permit.

Graduates of a Slovenian higher-education institution can apply, within two years of graduating, for a non-extendable permit of up to 9 months to look for work or start a business. Two years on a study permit count as one year towards permanent residence.