Permits for entry into the Republic of Slovenia

Citizens of the European Union Member States (and of the Member States of the European Economic Area - EEA) may enter the Republic of Slovenia with a valid identity card or a valid passport and do not require a visa or a residence permit. A more favourable treatment for entry and residence is also accorded to their family members.

Third-country nationals must acquire a visa or a residence permit from Slovenia's diplomatic mission abroad before their arrival in the Republic of Slovenia.

International protection

Persons with refugee status and persons granted subsidiary protection are entitled to international protection in the Republic of Slovenia. 

Refugee status may be granted to third-country nationals who are outside their country of citizenship owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, ethnic origin, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion and are unable to or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. Refugee status may also be granted to stateless persons who are outside the country of their former habitual residence and who, owing to a well-founded fear, are unable or unwilling to return to that country, if there are no statutory grounds for exclusion.

Subsidiary protection may be granted to third-country nationals or stateless persons who do not qualify for refugee status but in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that they would face serious harm on return to the country of origin or, in the case of stateless persons, to the country of their former habitual residence, and if there are no statutory grounds for exclusion.

Integration into Slovenian society

Slovenia provides integration and integration assistance programmes for beneficiaries of international protection and third-country nationals.

A person granted international protection who has concluded a contract on integration activities has the right to:

• accommodation in an integration house or other accommodation facilities provided by the Office,
• cash allowance for private accommodation,
• a course on Slovenian society,
• a Slovenian language course,
• a one-off Slovenian language test,
• coverage of other costs related to the education,
• coverage of translation costs related to the recognition and evaluation of the education on the basis of appropriate evidence,
• coverage of the costs related to the recognition and evaluation of the education where formal education cannot be proven by documents. 

Foreigners who are not EU citizens are entitled to the following programmes ensuring faster integration into the cultural, economic and social life of the Republic of Slovenia:

• Slovenian language courses and courses on Slovenian history, culture and constitutional order,
• programmes promoting social exchanges and communication with Slovenian citizens,
• provision of information related to their integration into Slovenian society.