Obtaining a Slovenian passport

Citizenship of Slovenia gives a foreigner the opportunity to formalize a legal status in a country with a developed economy and a high standard of living. Since 2004 the country has been a member of the EU, and since 2007 it has been a member of the Schengen zone. Having a Slovenian passport will allow you to travel freely to more than 160 countries, work, study in European universities, buy real estate and bank loans. Thanks to the loyal policy of the authorities towards migrants, obtaining citizenship here is available on simpler terms than in other EU countries.

There are several ways to become a Slovenian citizen - each has its own peculiarities. It is possible to obtain a Slovenian passport through general and simplified naturalization, as well as by roots (repatriation). As a rule, immigrants can apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal stay in the country, of which 5 years of continuous residence are required before applying. However, there are simplified programs under which it is possible to obtain a Slovenian passport after one year.

Benefits of Slovenian citizenship

A Slovenian passport opens up numerous opportunities for you, including:

1. visa-free travel to 160 countries around the world, including the U.S;
2. free residence anywhere in the European Union;
3. the right to apply for permission to move to an EU state for your family members;
4. receiving education in European universities for free or at a lower cost compared to students from outside the EU;
5. the right to conduct business, employment in European countries without obtaining additional permits;
6. access to EU banks with quality service, the right to apply for loans and mortgages at preferential rates;
7. medical care in European institutions, insurance.

Migration lawyers will tell you more about the advantages of Slovenian citizenship and simplified ways of obtaining it. Request a free consultation to find out how to become a Slovenian passport holder within a year.

Main ways of obtaining a Slovenian passport

The procedure and conditions for obtaining citizenship are regulated by the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia (Zakon o državljanstvu Republike Slovenije, ZDRS) of June 5, 1991. According to this document, a Slovenian passport can be obtained by descent (repatriation), birth, naturalization and on the basis of refugee status. Let us consider the most common options for obtaining Slovenian citizenship.

Naturalization

Naturalization is a way of obtaining Slovenian citizenship after legal residence in the country for the period specified in the legislation. Law-abiding adults can apply for a Slovenian passport if they have the financial resources to live in the country and a basic knowledge of the national language. A foreigner may become a citizen of Slovenia after 10 years of legal residence on its territory, including 5 years of permanent residence prior to application. One of the requirements of standard naturalization is that the applicant renounce primary citizenship (except in some cases).

Repatriation

Repatriation is a way of acquiring citizenship by returning former emigrants or their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren to their home country. Descendants of natives (up to the 4th tribe) who once left the country or were born outside the country are entitled to obtain a Slovenian passport by descent. Before submitting the application, it is necessary to have lived in Slovenia for at least one year with a residence permit. Along with the citizenship application, documentary evidence of the candidate's ethnicity in the state is provided.

If you previously had citizenship of Slovenia and lost it for valid reasons, the status can be restored on condition of a 6-month stay in the country with a residence permit. In this case, the need to renounce the previous passport and pass a test for knowledge of the state language are not provided.

Investments

Investment is a financial contribution in the public economy or private assets with the aim of earning income. Slovenian law does not simplify the conditions for granting citizenship for a financial contribution. You can invest in your own business on the Slovenian territory, apply for residence permit as a self-employed person, and after a year extend the status. After 5 years of residence in the country, you can apply for a residence permit, and after another 5 years - for citizenship. The main conditions are the receipt of profits from entrepreneurial activity and payment of taxes.

In Slovenia there are no accelerated programs for obtaining citizenship through investments, and it will take at least 10 years to go through the naturalization procedure. It will be much faster and easier to obtain a local passport by repatriation. Migration lawyers will explain in detail how to legally obtain Slovenian citizenship in up to 12 months.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining a Slovenian passport

Slovenian citizenship is granted to children born in Slovenia if the father or mother holds a local passport. It is also possible to become a Slovene citizen by naturalization and repatriation if the general requirements are met. Below are the conditions and specifics of applying for a Slovenian passport by these methods.

Naturalization

Slovenian citizenship by naturalization is granted to foreigners under the following conditions:

1. age of 18 years or older;
2. renunciation of primary citizenship or evidence that it will occur if Slovenian citizenship is accepted;
3. 10 years of legal residence in the state, including the 5 years immediately prior to the application;
4. sufficient financial means to live together with dependents (if any);
5. basic proficiency in the state language, which is confirmed by an examination certificate;
6. no criminal record or previous deportation notice from Slovenia;
7. timely payment of taxes;
8. the applicant does not pose a threat to law and order or the security of the state;
9. taking the citizenship oath.

The procedure for obtaining a Slovenian passport by naturalization includes the following steps:

1. Choosing the grounds for immigration. At the initial stage you need to analyze the Slovenian legislation and decide how you will justify the need to move to the country.
2. Applying for a residence permit. Those who are outside Slovenia need to apply for a residence permit at the consulate of their place of residence, providing the package of documents required by law. After receiving a positive decision, your passport with a visa sticker will be returned to you. When submitting an application, you will need to document the purpose of your stay in the country (for example, by providing a labor contract or certificate of enrollment in a university).
3. Formalization of residence permit. After five years of legal residence, a foreigner requests the status of permanent resident. In this case, the candidate will need to pass an exam to confirm his/her knowledge of the state language at the required level.
4. Submission of the application and citizenship dossier. After living in Slovenia for 10 years, of which 5 as a permanent resident, you can apply to the competent state authority for naturalization of citizenship. In doing so, you will have to prove that all conditions have been met, in particular compliance with the residency requirement and adequate command of the Slovenian language.
5. Obtaining a certificate of citizenship. Once the authorities have approved your application for citizenship, you will swear an oath of allegiance to Slovenia and receive a certificate confirming your new status.
6. Passport issuance at the local authority. Once you become a Slovenian citizen, you apply to the competent authority in your place of residence for a domestic passport.

You can obtain Slovenian citizenship under simplified conditions on the basis of exceptional contribution to the development of the country, study at a local university, marriage to a local resident, or refugee status. The status is granted to children up to 18 years of age together with their parents. List of documents for obtaining a Slovenian passport:

1. application;
2. valid passport;
3. 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo;
4. proof of residence address in Slovenia;
5. certificate of passing the Slovenian language exam;
6. proof of income;
7. bank statement on availability of funds;
8. certificate of no criminal record.

A marriage or child birth certificate, school certificate or diploma may also be required. The documents must be translated into the state language and notarized.

Repatriation

In order to participate in the repatriation program, you will need to prove your Slovenian origin, in particular the existence of direct lineal ancestors up to the 4th degree of consanguinity. In order to find the necessary documents, you can apply to state or family archives and registries. The period of citizenship is up to 12 months, including one year's residence in the country with a residence card. You will also need to pass an exam for knowledge of the state language and take an oath.

The procedure for obtaining Slovenian citizenship by repatriation includes the following steps:

1. Finding and collecting documents to prove your Slovenian ancestry. You find official documents that prove the extent of your relationship to your Slovenian relatives.
2. Obtaining a residence permit. Once you have collected your dossier, you apply to the Slovenian consulate in your place of residence and receive a residence card, on the basis of which you have the right to live in the country for a longer period of time.
3. Applying for citizenship. After one year of residence in Slovenia, you apply for citizenship by documenting your command of the national language and one year's residence in the country.
4. Taking the oath and receiving a certificate of citizenship. After a positive decision of the authorized bodies, you take the oath and receive a certificate of citizenship.
5. Passport issuance in the administration at the place of residence. Having a certificate of citizenship allows you to issue internal documents.

How much time and money are needed to obtain a Slovenian passport

Citizenship of Slovenia on a general basis is available after 10 years of residence in the country. If you are an ethnic Slovenian or a graduate of a local university, you can apply for the status in a shorter period of time. You must also pay government fees, the amount of which depends on the method of legalization. We offer to compare the time and cost of legalization of Slovenian citizenship in 2025 by different ways.

1. General naturalization (employment, self-employment, or starting a business): Citizenship can be obtained in 10 years, with a cost of 194.80 EUR.
2. Marriage to a Slovenian citizen: The term is 3 years, and the cost is 194.80 EUR.
3. Study at a local university: Citizenship is available after 7 years, costing 194.80 EUR.
4. Refugee status: Citizenship can be obtained in 5 years, with a cost of 194.80 EUR.
5. Extraordinary naturalization (for significant contributions to the state): The process takes 1 year, with a cost of 185.70 EUR.
6. Repatriation: Citizenship can be obtained in 1 year, costing 185.70 EUR.
7. Passport issuance: for adults — 115 EUR; for children aged 4 to 17 — 76 EUR.

What does not work: how you cannot obtain a Slovenian passport

There are a variety of misconceptions associated with applying for Slovenian citizenship. Most often, myths arise from ignorance of local legislation, and among the most common are the following:

1. Childbirth. The law of the soil (“jus soli”) does not apply in Slovenia, so citizenship is not conferred solely on the fact of birth on the territory of the state. A child can acquire citizenship through the parents (father or mother with a local passport) or if their whereabouts are unknown.
2. Purchase of citizenship. According to the legislation, the possibility to buy citizenship is not provided. Also, the purchase of real estate or investments in the development of the state are not grounds for obtaining a Slovenian passport.
3. Fictitious marriage. In order to obtain a passport, one must have been married to a Slovenian citizen for at least three years, one of them before the application is submitted. If an inspection reveals evidence of a violation (no cohabitation, no common household), the marriage will be annulled.

Obtaining citizenship illegally most often leads to deportation, fines, and a ban on entry to EU countries. Therefore, it is better to immediately turn to professionals who will choose the best immigration program for you to immigrate to Slovenia legally.

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Dual citizenship in Slovenia

Dual citizenship is not allowed in Slovenia, but in some cases, you can keep your original passport. This is called second citizenship and applies to immigrant categories such as former Slovenes, repatriates, spouses of locals, refugees, and those naturalized under a simplified procedure.

Denial to issue a Slovenian passport: main reasons and solutions

An application for Slovenian citizenship may be rejected if the applicant fails to comply with the requirements of the law, provides false data in the documents and submits them late. The reasons for rejection are sometimes offenses, threat to the public order of the state, its security. Persons with a criminal record or who did not speak the official language could not apply for a Slovenian passport.

If your application for Slovenian citizenship is rejected, you can reapply for Slovenian citizenship taking into account the mistakes made or appeal to the court.

How to obtain a Slovenian passport quickly and without mistakes

The process of obtaining a Slovenian passport through general naturalization requires long residence in the country and strict compliance with numerous legal requirements. If you don't want to wait 10 years and give up your current status, it is worth checking your options to obtain citizenship in a simplified procedure.

Sign up for a free consultation and learn more about how to obtain European citizenship in 4 months or less. Migration lawyers will choose the most favorable and fastest way to move, prepare and submit documents (under a power of attorney), provide support at all stages of the procedure. The assistance of specialists in the field of international law will allow you to achieve the desired goal.