Slovenia: Proposed Immigration Changes
Slovenia has proposed amendments to the Foreigners Act (ZTuj-2J), introducing changes to financial and language requirements, family reunification, employment procedures and several residence permit categories.
The proposed amendments are not yet final and remain subject to the legislative process. The current government timetable envisages adoption and entry into force in the 4th quarter of 2026.
Which law introduces the changes?
Draft Act amending the Foreigners Act (ZTuj-2J), EVA 2026-1720-0006, from 20 August 2026.
What are the main changes?
1. Higher financial requirements
The required minimum funds for temporary residence for foreign nationals would increase to twice the basic minimum income, currently EUR 1,014.86 per month. The higher amount would also affect the calculation of funds required for dependent family members.
Before: The general requirement was one basic minimum income, currently EUR 507.43 per month.
2. Longer residence period before family reunification
The required period of lawful residence before a third-country national can exercise the right to family reunification would increase from one year to three years. The same three-year requirement would apply to persons granted subsidiary protection.
Before: Family reunification was available after one year of lawful residence.
This requirement is applicable to standard Single Permit holders and not applicable to holders of ICT permits and EU Blue Cards.
3. Higher Slovenian language requirements
The language requirement for extending a temporary residence permit based on family reunification would increase to A2, while the requirement for permanent residence would increase to B1.
Before: The respective requirements were the survival level for family reunification and A2 for permanent residence.
4. Paid participation in Slovenian language programmes
Foreign nationals would cover 40% of the cost of eligible Slovenian language and integration programmes, with the state covering the remaining 60%. The free first language examination would also be abolished.
Before: Eligible language and integration programmes and the first language examination were provided free of charge.
5. Longer protection against loss of status after unemployment
Unemployment would not automatically lead to revocation of a Single Permit for up to three months, or up to six months for holders who have had the permit for more than two years.
Before: The extended unemployment protection applied specifically to EU Blue Card holders; it is now being extended to other Single Permit holders.
6. Employer and position changes transferred to ZRSZ
Applications to change employer, change position with the same employer or work for multiple employers would be handled directly by the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) instead of administrative units.
Before: The relevant procedure was handled through administrative units, which forwarded the application to ZRSZ for the employment-related assessment.
7. New rules for first Single Permit applications
For specified occupations and activities, a certificate confirming submission of a first Single Permit application would be issued under a unified procedure, provided the prescribed conditions are met. The certificate would allow legally residing foreign nationals to remain in Slovenia until a final decision.
Before: The certificate system differed depending on the type of first Single Permit and whether the application was submitted under the fast-track or regular procedure.
8. Employers required to keep applicants informed
Where an employer submits a Single Permit application, the employer would be required to keep the foreign national informed about the status of the application. No separate authorisation would be required for the employer to obtain information about the application.
Before: The Foreigners Act did not contain this specific obligation for employers.
9. Employer cannot recover certain administrative fees from the worker
If the employer pays the administrative fee for submitting or processing a Single Permit application, it would not be allowed to recover that fee from the foreign national.
Before: This protection was not expressly regulated in the Foreigners Act; the relevant fees were regulated under the Administrative Fees Act.
10. Longer residence permits for EU Blue Card holders
An EU Blue Card could be extended for up to three years, subject to the applicable conditions.
Before: EU Blue Cards were generally issued or extended for up to two years.
11. Longer residence permits for certain students
Students participating in specific EU or multilateral mobility programmes, or programmes based on agreements between higher-education institutions, would be eligible for a first temporary residence permit valid for up to two years, or for the duration of their studies if shorter.
Before: The standard maximum validity of a student residence permit was one year, with subsequent annual extensions.
12. Changes to permanent residence
In addition to the new B1 language requirement, applicants for permanent residence would have to demonstrate sufficient funds for themselves and dependent family members. Some existing exemptions from the language requirement would also be narrowed.
Before: Permanent residence generally required A2 Slovenian, while some categories of applicants had broader exemptions from the language requirement.
13. Changes affecting family members of refugees and persons with subsidiary protection
Family members of refugees and persons with subsidiary protection would be subject to revised financial and procedural requirements, including sufficient funds calculated using the new doubled minimum-income threshold.
Before: The applicable financial requirement was based on the existing minimum-income threshold.
PLANNED ENTRY INTO FORCE
The law would enter into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. However, some of the proposed changes would apply later:
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Points 2, 3 and 12: 12 months after the law enters into force.
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Point 4: three months after the law enters into force.
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Points 6, 7, 9 and 10: six months after the law enters into force.
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Points 1, 5, 8, 11 and 13: upon the law's general entry into force, i.e. 15 days after publication.
The current government timetable envisages adoption and entry into force in Q4 2026, so there is no exact implementation date yet.