Housing
Slovenia’s rental market is under pressure due to high demand, limited new construction, and rising inflation. The capital, Ljubljana, remains the most competitive market, with a strong presence of students, professionals, and expats. Other sought-after areas include the coastal region (Koper, Piran) and Alpine towns (Bled, Kranjska Gora), where short-term rentals dominate. A proof of long-term accommodation is required for the residence card (Single permit) collection.
Average monthly rates in Ljubljana
Studio
$700–$950
$1,100–$1,900
$1,400–$2,250
$2,250–$3,200
Two-bedroom
apartment
apartment
One-bedroom
apartment
apartment
$950–$1,600
Three-bedroom apartmen
House
Key Trends:
- Limited new construction is keeping rental prices high, especially in Ljubljana.
- The increase in tourist arrivals from Germany, Austria, and Italy is driving real estate investment in Ljubljana, the coast, and Alpine regions.
- While tourist areas still favor short-term stays, there is a rising preference for long-term leases in cities.
- Štepanjsko and the districts around Tivoli Park (e.g., Šiška), demand In Ljubljana’s green residential areas, such as for larger apartments and houses is increasing.
Challenges:
- Landlords increasingly exclude utilities and maintenance fees from rent, increasing total costs for tenants.
- Many rentals, especially in smaller cities like Celje, are handled by agencies and not listed on online platforms.
- A housing shortage due to the high demand for affordable accommodation, lack of construction of new buildings, rising inflation and interest rates.
Immigration
Slovenia, as a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, adheres to the common EU visa policy. This policy permits citizens of numerous countries to enter and stay in Slovenia without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Non-EU citizens generally require a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). The visa is issued for tourism, business, or family visits.
Citizens of certain countries are visa-exempt for short stays, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
For stays longer than 90 days, non-EU nationals need to apply for a temporary residence permit. This could be for employment, study, family reunification, or other purposes.
Work permits are tied to a residence permit and are issued when there is a signed employment contract with a Slovenian employer. Work permits are issued for various employment categories, such as skilled workers, seasonal workers, and those with a specific services contract. Employers must apply for a work permit on behalf of their foreign employees, and the work permit will be tied to the specific employer and job.
The Blue Card is a single permit for residence and highly qualified employment. To apply, the applicant must have a valid work contract or binding job offer for at least one year. The gross annual salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in the respective Member State. The EU Blue Card is issued for 3 months beyond the contract duration, up to a maximum of 2 years.
Citizens of certain countries are visa-exempt for short stays, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
For stays longer than 90 days, non-EU nationals need to apply for a temporary residence permit. This could be for employment, study, family reunification, or other purposes.
Work permits are tied to a residence permit and are issued when there is a signed employment contract with a Slovenian employer. Work permits are issued for various employment categories, such as skilled workers, seasonal workers, and those with a specific services contract. Employers must apply for a work permit on behalf of their foreign employees, and the work permit will be tied to the specific employer and job.
The Blue Card is a single permit for residence and highly qualified employment. To apply, the applicant must have a valid work contract or binding job offer for at least one year. The gross annual salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in the respective Member State. The EU Blue Card is issued for 3 months beyond the contract duration, up to a maximum of 2 years.
Moving
Transportation: Slovenia’s household goods transportation relies on trucking. Sea shipments are handled at port Koper. The primary airport is Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU).
Customs Duties clients may be eligible for duty-free importation of used household goods if they have lived abroad for at least 12 months prior to moving and can provide documentation proving their residence abroad.
Customs clearance typically takes between 5-7 business days.
Customs Duties clients may be eligible for duty-free importation of used household goods if they have lived abroad for at least 12 months prior to moving and can provide documentation proving their residence abroad.
Customs clearance typically takes between 5-7 business days.
