Living in the Republic of Slovenia
Temporary residence permit

TAKING UP RESIDENCE IN LJUBLJANA, REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA                                      

Migration is a way of life in the modern world. Like other Member States of the European Union, Slovenia supports the integration of foreigners holding a residence permit. Slovenia adheres to the principles and values of equality, freedom and mutual cooperation.

The methods and conditions of entry into Slovenia differ depending on whether the person entering the country is a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (European Union Member States, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are all part of the EEA), or a national of a third country.

Foreign citizens need to report their presence in Slovenia and the address at which they will be staying to the nearest police station within three days of entering the country and, upon leaving the country, report that they are no longer staying at that address, irrespective of the duration of their stay.

APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT

1. EEA CITIZENS

Citizens of the EEA may enter Slovenia with just a valid identity card or passport, irrespective of the reason for entering or residing in the country. They may reside in Slovenia without a residence permit for the first 90 days after the entry.  However, with the intention of a longer stay, they are required to submit an application for a residence permit at the Administrative Unit in the area of their residence (in Ljubljana: Administrative Unit Ljubljana, Department for foreign citizens – Upravna enota Ljubljana, Oddelek za tujce) any time before the expiry of the permitted 90 day stay.

To apply for a residence permit for the purpose of study, a citizen of the EEA needs to submit the following:

• signed application form (mandatory to fill out box 9);
• copy of a valid identity card or passport (certified by a notary or the registry of the Department for foreign citizens);
• personal photo (35 x 45mm);
• proof of admission to studies, vocational training or other form of education issued by an educational institution, a state body responsible for the implementation of an international or bilateral agreement, or a state-authorized organization responsible for implementing a particular program;
• proof of valid health insurance in Slovenia (copy of European health insurance – blue card suffices);
• proof of sufficient financial means (a signed statement of having more than €402,18/month to support oneself during one’s studies suffices);
• a signed statement of the length of the intended stay in Slovenia;
• fee: €14.66 (via bank transfer or in person at the registry of the Department for foreign citizens).

2. CITIZENS OF THIRD COUNTRIES

A non-EU citizen, who was admitted to a state-approved education or study program, performs professional or practical training, specialization or participates in international student exchange in relevant educational organizations in Slovenia may apply for a residence permit.

The application may be submitted by the student abroad at the competent Slovene diplomatic mission or consulate, or at the Administrative Unit in the area of their residence (in Ljubljana: Administrative Unit Ljubljana, Department for foreign citizens – Upravna enota Ljubljana, Oddelek za tujce), the latter only if they are already lawfully residing in Slovenia on the basis of a valid passport or identity card (when no visa is required); a valid passport and a residence permit issued by another EU member state; a C visa issued by Slovenia or other Schengen state; or a study D visa issued in another EU member state. Such application to the Administrative Unit must be submitted any time before the expiry of their lawful stay in Slovenia.

The application may also be submitted by the educational institution at the competent Slovene diplomatic mission or consulate abroad or at the competent Administrative Unit in Slovenia. Please note, that the University of Ljubljana will help with the procedure if necessary, but will not be able to submit the applications on behalf of students.

The non-EU citizens who have a valid residence permit issued by another EU state and who participate in EU or multilateral programs that include measures to promote mobility, or in an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, may complete part of the studies at a higher education institution in Slovenia. In these cases, the foreign citizen, or the education institution from the EU Member State that first issued the residence permit, or the Slovene education institution where the student will complete part of studies, need to notify the competent authority in Slovenia of the intended student mobility and provide the supporting documentation, as soon as the mobility is decided upon and before the intended entry of the student into Slovenia.

To apply for a residence permit for the purpose of study, third country citizens or the institution need to submit the following:

• signed application form (when applying at the Administrative Unit, mandatory to fill out box 13);
• copy of a valid passport with validity extending beyond the planned period of residence in Slovenia by at least 3 months (certified by a notary or the registry of the Department for foreign citizens). Where applicable, the border entry stamp in Slovenia, valid visa or residence permit issued by another EU state must be included in the copy;
• personal photo (35 x 45mm, fit for biometric documents);
• two fingerprints;
• proof of enrolment in a state-approved education or study programs or proof of carrying out professional training, specialization or practical training issued by an educational organization, or a certificate of enrollment by a state authority responsible for the implementation of international treaties or scholarship, or the certificate of enrolment issued by a state authorized organization responsible for the implementation of a certain program;
• proof of valid health insurance in Slovenia;
• certificate of criminal record from home country. It must not be older than three months, officially translated into Slovene and if applicable apostilled or certified;
• proof of sufficient financial means;
• fee: €54.50 (via bank transfer or in person at the registry of the Department for foreign citizens), additional €12.00 when collecting one’s issued permit. 

 
HOW TO APPLY

• at the competent Slovene diplomatic mission or consulate abroad (when applicable);
• via registered mail sent to to Upravna enota Ljubljana, Sektor za matične zadeve, tujce in državljanstva – Oddelek za tujce, Tobačna ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana;
• in person at the registry of the Department for foreign citizens, Administrative Unit Ljubljana (Tobačna ulica 5) during office hours. One can make an appointment by calling the number 01 475 56 21 or writing to the e-mail address , detailing one’s purpose of the appointment and contact information (including telephone number). Upon receiving your e-mail you will be contacted and assigned the first available time slot.
   

REGISTRATING TEMPORARY RESIDENCE

Individuals who have been issued a residence permit are then required to register their residence at the relevant administrative unit within eight days of being issued the permit. When registering temporary residence, an individual is required to submit a valid identification document with a photograph and evidence of their right to reside at the address they are registering, that is a proof of ownership, a lease or sublet contract or the written consent of the owner or co-owners of the dwelling or of the manager of the accommodation facility (the owner's consent does not need to be certified). 

 
More information:
http://ec.europa.eu/immigration
www.gov.si/en/topics/entry-and-residence

Photo: Jason Boyd; Source: www.pexels.com