Overview of Degree Recognition in Slovenia
For foreign nationals planning to work or continue their education in Slovenia, the recognition of foreign qualifications is a fundamental administrative step. The process ensures that degrees obtained abroad are comparable to the Slovenian educational system. Since 2005, Slovenia has followed the Assessment and Recognition of Education Act, which separates the process into two distinct pathways: academic assessment for general employment and professional recognition for regulated vocations.
The primary authority managing these processes is the ENIC-NARIC Centre, operating under the Ministry of Education. This office provides formal opinions on the level and type of education acquired abroad, which are used by employers to verify a candidate's qualifications.
Types of Recognition Procedures
Depending on your career goals and the nature of your profession, you will need to apply for one of the following procedures:
1. Assessment of Education (Vrednotenje izobraževanja)
This is the most common path for foreigners. It is intended for those seeking employment in non-regulated fields (e.g., marketing, administration, IT) or for general purposes. The result is an "Opinion on Education," which states the placement of your degree within the Slovenian and European Qualifications Frameworks.
2. Professional Recognition
This procedure is mandatory for "regulated professions" where specific legal requirements must be met to practice (e.g., healthcare workers, lawyers, architects, or teachers). In these cases, the recognition is not handled by ENIC-NARIC but by the relevant ministry or professional chamber responsible for that specific field.
- For health professions: Ministry of Health.
- For architects: Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning.
- For lawyers: Ministry of Justice.
You can find the full list of regulated professions in Slovenia on the official government portal.
Application Steps and Requirements
To begin the recognition process, applicants must submit a formal request to the ENIC-NARIC Centre. The process is now largely digitized, though physical copies of certain documents may still be requested for verification.
Required Documents:
- The original diploma or a certified copy.
- A certified Slovene translation of the diploma (unless the document is in English, German, or Italian, which may sometimes be accepted without translation—check current guidelines).
- Diploma Supplement or a transcript of records showing subjects and grades.
- A short chronological description of your education history.
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
Costs and Timelines
The standard administrative fee for the assessment of education is 50 EUR ($52.50 USD, Jan 2026). This fee covers the processing and issuance of the formal opinion. Note that additional costs for sworn translations and notarization of documents are the responsibility of the applicant and vary by provider.
The statutory deadline for the ENIC-NARIC Centre to issue an opinion is two months from the date the application is considered complete. If additional international inquiries are required to verify the institution's status, this period may be extended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need recognition if I have a degree from an EU country?
While degrees from EU member states are generally recognized more easily due to the Bologna Process, many employers still require a formal assessment from ENIC-NARIC to confirm the exact placement within the Slovenian salary scale or education level.
What if my university is not accredited?
If the issuing institution was not accredited in the country of origin at the time of graduation, Slovenia will likely decline the recognition of the degree for official purposes.
Where to apply?
Applications for the assessment of education can be submitted through the e-Uprava portal or sent by mail to the Ministry of Education: Masarykova cesta 16, 1000 Ljubljana.