Employment Framework in Slovenia
Foreign nationals seeking employment in Slovenia must adhere to the regulations set by the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act. Since 2015, Slovenia has implemented a "Single Permit" system, which simplifies the process by combining residence and work authorizations into a single document. This permit is issued by the Administrative Units (Upravna enota) with the mandatory consent of the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ).
Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland enjoy free access to the Slovenian labor market and do not require a work permit. However, they must register their residence if they stay longer than 90 days.
The Single Residence and Work Permit
The Single Permit (Enovito dovoljenje) is the primary route for non-EU citizens to live and work in Slovenia. The application can be submitted by the foreign national at a Slovenian diplomatic mission abroad or by the employer at the Administrative Unit within Slovenia.
- Employment: For standard employment with a specific employer.
- Self-Employment: Available after one year of continuous legal residence in Slovenia.
- Seasonal Work: For agricultural or forestry work exceeding 90 days.
The total administrative cost for a Single Permit application is approximately 102 EUR ($107.10 USD, Jan 2026), which includes the application fee and the physical permit card.
EU Blue Card for Highly Qualified Workers
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit intended for highly qualified non-EU citizens. To be eligible, the applicant must possess a higher education degree and a contract with a salary at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Slovenia. The Blue Card is usually valid for two years and offers faster paths to family reunification and long-term residency.
Eligibility and the Labor Market Test
Before a Single Permit can be issued, the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) typically performs a Labor Market Test. This process ensures that there are no suitable candidates for the position already registered in the national unemployment database.
Certain professions in high demand (e.g., healthcare workers, IT specialists, construction workers) may be exempt from the labor market test if they are on the official list of shortage occupations.
General requirements for all applicants include:
- A valid travel document (passport) with at least 3 months validity beyond the intended stay.
- Health insurance covering services in Slovenia.
- Sufficient means of subsistence (verified via the employment contract).
- A police clearance certificate from the home country, translated and apostilled.
Useful Resources
For official application forms and the most current lists of shortage occupations, please refer to the following institutional websites:
