Slovenia offers a pathway to long-term residency and eventual citizenship through investment-based residence programs. While there is no direct Citizenship by Investment (CBI) option, foreign investors can obtain a residence permit by investing in Slovenia and later qualify for citizenship through naturalization.
Residency Through Investment
Foreign nationals can secure residency in Slovenia by investing in the country’s economy. Common methods include:
- Establishing or purchasing a Slovenian company, or
- Investing at least €50,000 in a specific business sector while creating new jobs.
This investment grants a temporary residence permit, typically valid for one year and renewable upon meeting business activity and compliance requirements. This permit serves as the first step toward permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
Path to Citizenship
To become eligible for Slovenian citizenship through investment, applicants must follow these steps:
- Maintain legal residence and achieve permanent resident status, typically after five years of continuous residence.
- After ten years of total residence in Slovenia, individuals may apply for citizenship through the standard naturalization process.
Benefits of Slovenia’s Residency Program
Although Slovenia does not offer direct citizenship by investment, it remains an attractive destination as a stable and business-friendly EU country, providing:
- Secure entry into the Schengen Zone,
- Access to European markets,
- A clear path to EU citizenship through long-term residence and economic contribution.
Physical Residency Requirements for Citizenship
1. Temporary Residence Stage
When you receive a temporary residence permit (typically valid for one year and renewable), you must physically reside in Slovenia. The government verifies your presence through:
- A registered residential address,
- Active business operations (if using the investment route),
- Social insurance and tax payments,
- Limited absences from the country.
Absence limit: You cannot be absent from Slovenia for more than six consecutive months in any year during the temporary residence period. Longer absences may reset your continuous residence period.
2. Permanent Residence Stage
After five years of continuous legal stay, you may apply for permanent residence. Your residency record will be thoroughly reviewed, including:
- Proof of physical presence (e.g., tax records, utility bills, lease agreements, or school records),
- Evidence that Slovenia is your primary place of residence.
3. Citizenship Eligibility
You may apply for citizenship after ten years of total legal residence, with the last five years being continuous and without significant absences.
Key requirement: You must have lived physically in Slovenia for the majority of the time, particularly during the last five years before applying. Short absences (e.g., vacations or business trips) are acceptable, but living abroad for most of the year will disqualify you.
4. Language and Integration
To qualify for citizenship, you must:
- Pass a Slovene language test (A2 level),
- Demonstrate social and cultural integration,
- Have no criminal record or unpaid taxes.
