Slovenia: Relaxed Immigration Rules Implemented, but Stricter Language Requirements Forthcoming
August 7, 2023
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At a Glance
- A new law eases certain immigration rules in Slovenia to attract non-EU nationals to the workforce.
- Key changes (among others) include the ability of residence permit renewal applicants to receive their permit by mail; and a new practice for fingerprints to be kept on a digital government system for a longer period of time, easing the application process for residence permit renewal applicants.
- Notably, however, stricter language requirements will apply starting November 1, 2024.
The situation
A new law eases certain immigration rules in Slovenia to attract non-EU nationals to the workforce.
A closer look
| Rules that relax requirements | ||
| NEW RULE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Renewal permit collection by mail |
Residence permit renewal applicants can now receive their permit by mail, whereas they previously had to visit an administrative unit to collect them. Initial permits must still be collected in person with a scheduled appointment. |
This new process makes it easier for renewal applicants to show proof of their immigration status. |
| Easier change of employer or change of job role process | Under the new rules, the Employment Services office now adjudicates change of employer or role change applications, whereas previously, the Administrative Unit made these decisions. | This makes changing employers or job roles easier since additional written approval of the administrative unit is no longer necessary in such scenarios, which reduces the related costs as well as the time it takes for the government to approve these changes. |
| Fingerprint rule change |
Fingerprints will be kept on the government system for five years, instead of the current 60 days. Furthermore, the fingerprint procedure will no longer require a written request from the Administrative Unit as fingerprints will be maintained on a new digital system. |
This means that fingerprints are no longer required for most residence permit renewal applications, creating an easier renewal application process. |
| Relaxed ‘self-sufficiency’ rules | The Administrative Unit will no longer periodically verify whether applicants can fulfil ‘self-sufficiency’ obligations, such as the ability to support oneself based on their income and amount of dependents. Instead, this will only be done upon the initial work permit application and for each renewal. | It is now easier for foreign nationals to remain in Slovenia since there will no longer be strict checks of income sufficiency. |
| Stricter rules forthcoming | ||
| NEW RULE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Stricter requirements for knowledge of Slovenian language |
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Background
The changes are meant to streamline the immigration process for non-EU nationals (who are subject to more stringent language and fingerprinting requirements than EU nationals in Slovenia); and are also intended to help integrate foreign workers in Slovenia in order to keep foreign nationals in Slovenia during this time of labor and skills shortages in the country and the region.
Looking ahead
- Implementation of related rules. Most of the rules are already in effect, while the provisions relating to knowledge of the Slovenian language will become effective on November 1, 2024.
- Upcoming immigration law changes. Further changes are expected in late 2023. First, nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia will see relaxed rules regarding employment in Slovenia, including no longer requiring an employee to stay with the same employer in their first year of employment. Additionally, the salary threshold for obtaining EU Blue Cards is expected to be reduced to the same level as the average salary (currently the threshold is 1.5 times the average salary); and it will also become possible to consider professional experience gained abroad as relevant to a specific job position with a Slovenian employer. We will report on related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
