How to Apply for Slovenian Citizenship?
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    How to Apply for Slovenian Citizenship?

    Immigration Expert
    Apr 21, 202540 min read

    Atomic Answer: Danish citizenship can be acquired through 'naturalization' after living in Denmark for a continuous period of 9 years (shorter for refugees or those married to Danes), passing a language test, and a citizenship citizenship test.

    How to Apply for Slovenian Citizenship?

    Applications for Slovenian citizenship are open to individuals who have at least one parent who is Slovenian, who are of Slovenian origin, and who meet the requirements for Slovenian citizenship.

    People can apply for Slovenian citizenship at Consulates in Slovenia or at immigration offices affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship for adults?

    The requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship for adults are listed below.

    • Be over 18 years old
    • Having resided in Slovenia for 10 years with a 5-year temporary residence permit before applying for Slovenian citizenship.
    • Have proficiency in the Slovenian language
    • Not to have committed any crime during the stay in Slovenia
    • Establishing order in Slovenia without recourse to state funds and aid

    Below are listed the exceptional conditions that must be met for different types of applications for Slovenian citizenship for adults:

    • Having immigrated from Slovenia
    • Have been married to a Slovenian citizen for at least three years
    • Being of direct Slovenian descent

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship through marriage?

    In order to apply for Slovenian citizenship through marriage, it is necessary to meet the requirements set by the Slovenian Ministry of Justice and Equality. Individuals who have been married to a Slovenian individual for at least 3 years and have resided in Slovenia for at least 1 year have the right to Slovenian citizenship through marriage.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship through residence permit?

    To apply for Slovenian citizenship through a residence permit, it is necessary to have resided in Slovenia for at least 5 years within the last 10 years. Citizens who will apply for citizenship must have lived in Slovenia for at least 10 years, including the mandatory 5-year residence period.

    Applicants for Slovenian citizenship through a residence permit must prove that they have the financial means to support themselves in Slovenian territory. Applicants for Slovenian citizenship must not have been sentenced to unconditional imprisonment for more than three months or to conditional imprisonment with probation for more than one year.

    Citizenship applicants must prove that they speak Slovenian. In order for a citizenship application to be approved, individuals must not have committed actions that would endanger the security of the Republic of Slovenia. They must have resided in Slovenia for at least 5 years with a legal Slovenian residence permit .

    What is the Extraordinary Slovenian Citizenship Right?

    A person's service to the interests of the Slovenian nation in the academic, scientific, economic, cultural and national spheres of social life entitles him to extraordinary Slovenian citizenship.

    In order to obtain extraordinary Slovenian citizenship, individuals must contribute to the national interests of Slovenia, have resided in Slovenia for at least 1 year and prove that they are foreign citizens.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship through residence?

    The requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship through period of residence are listed below:

    • Having resided in Slovenia for 5 of the last 10 years with a legal residence permit.
    • Have sufficient income to live in Slovenia without having to rely on public funds and aid.
    • To be proficient in the Slovenian language
    • Not to have committed any acts that would endanger the security of the Republic of Slovenia.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship through education?

    In order to apply for citizenship through education in Slovenia, it is necessary to be accepted to universities in Slovenia, to enter the country under a Slovenian student visa, and to complete a 10-year residence period in Slovenia by finding a job after completing the education process.

    People who reside in Slovenia through education are granted a residence permit for the duration of their education. People who have completed their education in Slovenia must apply for an extension of their residence permit, stating the reasons why they need to reside in the Republic of Slovenia for a longer period.

    Citizenship application can be made by those who have resided in Slovenia for 10 years with a valid Slovenian residence permit. Applicants who will apply for Slovenian citizenship through education must prove that they have enough income to support themselves and cover their living expenses in Slovenia and must have come to Slovenia with a valid Slovenian student visa .

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship by descent?

    In order to apply for Slovenian citizenship by descent, at least one of the applicants' parents must have Slovenian citizenship. People who have a different citizenship as a child of a Slovenian citizen have the right to acquire Slovenian citizenship. For direct descent Slovenian citizenship, individuals do not need to meet any residency requirements. One of the ways to apply for Slovenian citizenship by descent is to be a relative of a Slovenian immigrant up to the fourth generation. Family members and relatives of Slovenian immigrants have the right to Slovenian citizenship. Family members and relatives of Slovenian immigrants must have resided in Slovenia for at least 1 year in order to obtain Slovenian citizenship.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship for children?

    The Republic of Slovenia considers persons under the age of 18 to be children. In Slovenian citizenship applications for children, if at least one of the family members is a Slovenian citizen, the child is automatically considered a Slovenian citizen, even if he/she was born in another country.

    In order for children born outside Slovenia to obtain Slovenian citizenship, they must meet one of the following conditions:

    • If both parents of the child are Slovenian citizens
    • If one of the child's parents is a Slovenian citizen and the other is stateless
    • If the child does not have the citizenship of another country, he/she automatically becomes a Slovenian citizen.

    Children who have permanent residence in Slovenia before the age of 18 and whose parents are not Slovenian citizens also have the right to apply for Slovenian citizenship.

    Foreign children adopted by a Slovenian citizen are granted citizenship by the Republic of Slovenia.

    What are the requirements for Slovenian citizenship application for those of Slovenian origin?

    People of Slovenian origin who have immigrated from Slovenia in the past and their family members up to the fourth generation have the right to apply for Slovenian citizenship. Individuals who immigrated from Slovenia must submit their immigration documents, and those who have lineage ties to a Slovenian citizen who immigrated must submit documents proving their kinship to the Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Individuals who immigrated from Slovenia and their family members up to the fourth generation must have resided in Slovenia for at least 1 year.

    The Republic of Slovenia allows family members of a Slovenian citizen up to the second generation to apply for Slovenian citizenship without any residence requirements.

    Citizenship application can be made for the spouse or civil partner of a Slovenian citizen. Citizens who can prove that they have been married/in a union with a Slovenian citizen for at least 3 years are entitled to citizenship.

    What are the requirements for applying for Slovenian citizenship with refugee status?

    As a European Union member state, under the Geneva Convention, Slovenia grants international protection and asylum to citizens who do not receive humanitarian protection in their country of origin.

    Slovenia grants refugee status to persons who provide solid and reliable evidence that they have been persecuted in their country of origin due to their political views, religion, race or ethnic origin and whose return to that country is not possible. Persons who have sought asylum in Slovenia by providing the documents requested by the Republic of Slovenia for asylum applications in Slovenia have the right to apply for citizenship after completing the required period of residence.

    What are the Required Documents for Slovenian Citizenship Application?

    The documents required for Slovenia citizenship application vary depending on the type of citizenship application. The documents required for different types of citizenship are listed below:

    • Slovenia Citizenship Application Documents for Persons Under 18
    • Slovenian citizenship application form (Application form must be filled in by parents.)
    • Birth certificate notarized and translated into Slovenian
    • Documents for payment of Slovenian citizenship application fee
    • Slovenian Citizenship Application Documents for Adults
    • Slovenian citizenship application form
    • Contact and address information
    • Identity, passport and driver's license documents
    • Residence permit documents
    • Health insurance information
    • Birth certificate notarized and translated into Slovenian
    • Marriage certificates and relationship proofs for those who are married
    • Receipt showing that the Slovenian citizenship application fee has been paid
    • Proof of kinship for documentation to be carried out through lineage

    In Slovenian citizenship applications, all documents must be translated into Slovenian.

    Where to Apply for Slovenian Citizenship?

    In order to apply for Slovenian citizenship, the requested citizenship documents must be submitted to the immigration offices affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs requires all documents to be translated into Slovenian and certified in order to shorten and facilitate the citizenship application process.

    How Long Does It Take to Complete a Slovenian Citizenship Application?

    Slovenia citizenship applications are finalized on average between 3 and 8 months. Due to Covid-19, processing times for citizenship applications may vary.

    How Does the Slovenian Citizenship Application Process Work?

    After the documents required for the Slovenian citizenship application are submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or any administrative unit in Slovenia, the Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs may request additional documents if it detects missing documents during the citizenship application evaluation process. Slovenian citizenship applicants are given 28 days to complete their missing documents.

    The Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs does not guarantee that the application will be approved even if no deficiencies are detected in the documents of the applicant for Slovenian citizenship.

    What to Do If Your Slovenian Citizenship Application Is Rejected?

    The Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs is the only competent authority to notify applicants of the rejection of their Slovenian citizenship application, along with the reasons. The Slovenian Ministry of Internal Affairs sends applicants a letter explaining the reasons for the rejection.

    No refunds will be made to applicants who have unsuccessful Slovenian citizenship applications.

    Applicants do not have the right to appeal a decision to reject their Slovenian citizenship application. However, individuals whose Slovenian citizenship application has been rejected may re-apply for Slovenian citizenship afterwards.

    How Much Are the Slovenian Citizenship Application Fees?

    Slovenian citizenship application fees are set at 26 Euros for children under 18 and adult applicants, and 354 Euros for extraordinary citizenship applicants. Slovenian citizenship application fees and application forms are available at http://www.cairo.embassy.si.

    The fees for documents that individuals will have translated in Slovenia should also be calculated within the scope of Slovenia citizenship application fees. The fees for providing the documents and having them translated by a sworn translator are included in the citizenship application process.

    Which countries can be visited without a visa when Slovenian citizenship is obtained?

    Slovenian citizens have visa-free access to 180 countries around the world.

    According to the 2019 Visa Restrictions Index data, Slovenia ranked 11th among the world countries in freedom of movement.

    Below is a table listing the places you can visit without a visa from Slovenia.

    Countries That Do Not Require VisaVisaNotes
    AndorraNo visa required 
    United Arab EmiratesNo visa required90 days
    Antigua and BarbudaNo visa required3 months
    AlbaniaNo visa required90 days
    ArmeniaNo visa required180 days
    AngolaeVisa30 days
    ArgentinaNo visa required90 days
    AustriaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    AustraliaeVisitor90 days
    AzerbaijaneVisa30 days
    Bosnia and HerzegovinaNo visa required90 days
    BarbadosNo visa required3 months
    BangladeshVisa on arrival30 days
    BelgiumNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    Burkina FasoVisa on arrival1 month
    BulgariaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    BahraineVisa / Visa on arrival14 days
    BenineVisa / Visa on arrival30 days / 8 days
    BruneiNo visa required90 days
    BoliviaNo visa required90 days
    BrazilNo visa required90 days
    BahamasNo visa required3 months
    BotswanaNo visa required90 days
    BelarusNo visa required30 days
    BelizeNo visa required1 month
    CanadaNo visa required6 months
    SwitzerlandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    ChileNo visa required90 days
    ColombiaNo visa required180 days
    Costa RicaNo visa required90 days
    Cape VerdeNo visa required30 days
    CyprusNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    Czech RepublicNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    GermanyNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    DjiboutieVisa31 days
    DenmarkNo visa requiredFreedom of movement (DK) ID card is valid
    DominicaNo visa required90 days
    Dominican RepublicNo visa required90 days
    EcuadorNo visa required90 days
    EstoniaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    SweetcorneVisa / Visa on arrival30 days
    SpainNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    EthiopiaeVisaup to 90 days
    FinlandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    FijiNo visa required4 months
    MicronesiaNo visa required90 days
    FranceNo visa requiredFreedom of movement (in the French Regions) ID card is valid
    GaboneVisa / Visa on arrival90 days
    United KingdomNo visa requiredFreedom of movement valid (in constituent countries) ID card valid
    GrenadaNo visa required3 months
    GeorgiaNo visa required1 year
    GambiaNo visa required90 days
    GreeceNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    GuatemalaNo visa required90 days
    Guinea-BissaueVisa / Visa on arrival90 days
    HondurasNo visa required3 months
    CroatiaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement - Temporary restrictions on the free movement of workers may apply; ID card is valid
    HaitiNo visa required90 days
    HungaryNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    IndonesiaNo visa required30 days
    IrelandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    IsraelNo visa required3 months
    Indiae-Visa60 days
    IranianVisa on arrival30 days
    IcelandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    ItalyNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    JamaicaVisa on arrival 
    JordanFree visa on arrival 
    JapanNo visa required90 days
    KenyaeVisa / Visa on arrival3 months
    KyrgyzstanNo visa required60 days
    CambodiaeVisa / Visa on arrival30 days
    KiribatiNo visa required90 days
    ComorosVisa on arrival 
    St. Kitts and NevisNo visa required3 months
    South KoreaNo visa required90 days
    KuwaiteVisa / Visa on arrival3 months
    KazakhstanNo visa required30 days
    LaosVisa on arrival30 days
    LebanonVisa on arrival1 month
    St. LuciaNo visa required90 days
    LiechtensteinNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    Sri LankaeVisa / Visa on arrival30 days
    LesothoeVisaLithuanian
    No visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid 
    LuxembourgNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    LatviaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    MoroccoNo visa required90 days
    MonacoNo visa required 
    MoldovaNo visa required90 days
    MontenegroNo visa required90 days
    MadagascareVisa / Visa on arrival90 days
    Marshall IslandsNo visa required90 days
    Myanmar [Burma]eVisa28 days
    MongoliaVisa on arrival30 days
    MauritaniaVisa on arrival 
    MaltaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    MauritiusNo visa required90 days
    MaldivesVisa on arrival30 days
    MalawiVisa on arrival 
    MexicanNo visa required180 days
    MalaysiaNo visa required3 months
    MozambiqueVisa on arrival30 days
    NicaraguaNo visa required90 days
    HollandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement (European Netherlands) ID card is valid
    NorwayNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    NepalVisa on arrival90 days
    New ZealandNo visa required3 months
    OmaneVisa30 days
    PanamaNo visa required180 days
    PeruNo visa required90 days
    Papua New GuineaeVisa / Free visa on arrival60 days
    PhilippinesNo visa required30 days
    PolandNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    PortugalNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    PalauNo visa required90 days
    ParaguayNo visa required90 days
    TrainNo visa required90 days
    RomaniaNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    SerbiaNo visa required90 days
    RwandaeVisa / Visa on arrival30 days
    Solomon IslandsNo visa required90 days
    SeychellesNo visa required3 months
    SwedishNo visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    SingaporeNo visa required90 days
    Slovakia
    San Marino
    No visa requiredFreedom of movement ID card is valid
    SenegalNo visa required90 days
    SomaliVisa on arrival 
    SurinameeVisa / Tourist card on arrival90 days
    El SalvadorNo visa required3 months
    EswatiniNo visa required30 days
    TogoVisa on arrival7 days
    ThailandNo visa required30 days
    TajikistanVisa on arrival45 days
    East TimorNo visa required90 days
    TunisianNo visa required3 months
    TongaNo visa required90 days
    TürkiyeNo visa required3 months
    Trinidad and TobagoNo visa required90 days
    TuvaluNo visa required90 days
    TanzaniaeVisa / Visa on arrival3 months
    UkrainianNo visa required90 days
    UgandaeVisa / Visa on arrival 
    UruguayNo visa required90 days
    UzbekistanNo visa required30 days
    VaticanNo visa required 
    St. Vincent and the GrenadinesNo visa required90 days
    VenezuelanNo visa required90 days
    VanuatuNo visa required90 days
    SamoaNo visa required90 days
    ZambiaeVisa / Visa on arrival90 days
    ZimbabweeVisa / Visa on arrival90 days

    The advantages and rights that Slovenian citizenship offers to individuals are listed below:

    • The right to travel to EU countries without a visa
    • The right to work and live in all EU countries
    • The right to open an account in European banks
    • The right to purchase real estate within the EU
    • The right to benefit from free health services
    • The spouse and children of a Slovenian citizen have the right to travel to EU countries without a visa
    • Children of Slovenian citizens have the right to receive education in EU countries.

    In what cases is Slovenian citizenship terminated?

    Individuals applying to terminate their Slovenian citizenship must meet the following conditions:

    • Be 18 years of age or older
    • Residing in another country
    • Having completed compulsory military service in Slovenia
    • To have paid alimony and fulfilled responsibilities towards all persons residing in Slovenia due to the marriage bond and children.
    • For persons who have been sentenced to a prison sentence in Slovenia, they must have completed the sentence.
    • Having citizenship of another country

    What are the requirements for dual citizenship in Slovenia?

    If a person is a citizen of the European Union, during the procedure for naturalization as a Slovenian citizen, there is no requirement to provide evidence of renunciation of their previous citizenship, provided that there is reciprocity between the two countries.

    A person is not required to provide evidence of renunciation of his/her previous citizenship in the following cases:

    • Stateless people
    • Persons who can prove that they lost their citizenship by naturalizing as a Slovenian citizen, in accordance with the laws of their home country.
    • Persons who can prove that their country did not decide on their application to terminate citizenship within a reasonable period of time.
    • Persons who can prove that the voluntary acquisition of another country's citizenship constitutes an act of disloyalty sanctionable under the legislation of the person's country of origin.

    Slovenia does not require minors to renounce their previous citizenship, nor does it require them to decide between citizenship of another country and Slovenian citizenship at a later date.

    Applicants for Slovenian citizenship based on Article 12 of the Citizenship Act, who meet the following criteria, are not required to provide evidence of having been stripped of their previous citizenship:

    • Persons who are or are descendants of a Slovenian expatriate in direct line up to the fourth degree
    • Persons who have lost their Slovenian citizenship as a result of release or renunciation
    • Persons born in Slovenia and residing in Slovenia since birth
    • Persons with refugee status in Slovenia
    • Stateless persons
    • Persons married to a Slovenian citizen (if the country of origin stipulates conditions for termination of citizenship that would endanger the individual's life or livelihood or would result in termination of original citizenship, subject to approval by the Slovenian government)
    • When a foreign citizen is naturalized as a Slovenian citizen through extraordinary naturalization, he or she has the right to dual citizenship.

    In cases where citizenship is acquired by birth, dual citizenship can be acquired in Slovenia if the child is born in a marriage involving a Slovenian citizen and a citizen of another country.

    A child can acquire Slovenian citizenship through a parent who is a Slovenian citizen and at the same time acquire the citizenship of the country of which the other parent is a citizen.

    Slovenian legislation does not provide for automatic loss of Slovenian citizenship when a Slovenian citizen acquires the citizenship of another country.


    2026 Application Checklist

    • Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond stay.
    • Proof of Funds: Bank statements or Blocked Account confirmation (2026 rates).
    • Biometrics: Appointment confirmation and receipt.
    • Health Insurance: Travel or private insurance covering €30,000+.
    • Form IMM 5645: Fully completed Family Information form.

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