Expats moving to Slovenia will be able to enjoy the vast array of attractions and geography in a few small steps; mountain trails, thick forests, vast vineyards, sandy beaches and snowcapped slopes. Not to be dwarfed by its neighbors, Slovenia makes up for its size with its thrust towards production such as the automotive industry, employing both its local and international employees. Despite Slovenia’s ever-forward move, expats relocating in the country will marvel more at the impressive castles and historic architecture that makes this little country top of any sojourner’s list. Before you tick Slovenia off your bucket list, here are some bits of information you should know.
- Expat Clubs
- Schools
- Local News Sources
- Country Information
- Resident and Work visa information
- How to get a driving license
- Where to live and about the accomodation types
- Healthcare information including Hospitals and Insurance
Expat Clubs
International Club of Slovenia
The fun club for expats! A non-profit, voluntary organization where membership is free!
Website: www.sloveniawelcomes.com/expats/clubinfo
Slovenian International Ladies Association
SILA is a dynamic organization of women from nearly 40 countries currently or permanently living in Slovenia, created in 1993 as a non-profit organization dedicated to social, cultural and educational exchange among its members.
Address: Letališka cesta 33
1000 Ljubljana
Email: [email protected]
FB: www.facebook.com/www.sila.si
Website: www.sila.si
International Schools
British International School of Ljubljana
The British International School of Ljubljana provides a high quality international education in English, balancing the best of the British tradition with proven modern learning techniques. Our passion is providing a positive, challenging and nurturing environment in which we get to know each of our students as individuals, helping them to become versatile, motivated and caring people.
Curriculum: British
Address: Cesta v Gorice 34 b, 1000 Ljubljana
Tel: +386 40 486 548
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]
Website: www.britishschool.si
QSI International School of Ljubljana
QSI International School of Ljubljana, is a private non-profit institution that opened in September of 1995 and offers a high quality education in the English language for elementary and secondary students. The warm and welcoming school community make it an ideal place to receive a quality education from QSI.
Address: Langusova 16, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tel: 386-1-200-7870
Fax: 386-1-200-7871
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.qsi.org/schoolpages/sln/home
Local News in English
The Slovenia Times
News from Slovenia in English. Daily news, overviews, features, interviews on business, investment, fdi, politics, travel, tourism, society, sports, culture, events.
Website: www.sloveniatimes.com
STA Slovenian Press Agency
The Slovenian Press Agency (STA) is a key source of daily information for Slovenian media outlets and the entire Slovenian public, as well as the main source of information on events in Slovenia for foreign press agencies and major international media.
Website: www.sta.si/en
Country Information
Location: Europe
Capital City: Ljubljana
Currency: Euro €
Language: Slovenian
Calling Code: +386
Internet TLD: .sl
Electricity: Slovenia runs on 220V 50Hz.
Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance: 144
Fire: 122
Police: 133
Country Information
en.wikipedia.org
Embassy Information
embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/slovenia
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Schengen regulations apply in entering Slovenia. Several countries including the US and the EU may freely enter and stay in Slovenia for a limited period. Other nationals will have to obtain a Schengen visa type C to enter the country and freely move between Schengen territories. Visa applications are coursed through a Slovenian embassy or consulate. This type of visa is valid for up to 90 days.
For longer stays, expats will have to obtain a residence permit in order to stay in Slovenia for more than 90 days. This is normally a Temporary Residence Permit. Expats who have acquired work in Slovenia will have to obtain this to enter the country. Either the employee or the employer may submit this application at a Slovenian embassy or consulate.
The Slovenian Ministry of Interior has further info:
If you wish to obtain a residence permit for the purposes of highly qualified employment (EU Blue Card), consent for the issue of the EU Blue Card needs to be obtained following the procedure for which the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia is competent. The procedure for obtaining consent is initiated by the administrative unit ex officio on the basis of the application for the issue of a residence permit for the purposes of highly qualified employment and supporting documentation. A valid travel document or a verified copy of a valid travel document must be attached to the application for a Blue Card along with an employment agreement or an employer's certificate indicating the employer's intention to employ you, evidence of adequate health insurance and evidence of the level of education attained. A temporary residence permit for the purpose of highly qualified employment is issued in the form of what is known as a Blue Card as a single permit allowing you enter, stay and work in the Republic of Slovenia
- From Slovenian Ministry of Interior: www.mnz.gov.si/en/services/slovenia_your_new_country/residence_permit_for_the_third_country_national/employment_and_work/
Accommodation
Although sparsely populated unlike its other European neighbors, there is still a significant number of expat residents in the country. Expat communities are found mainly in urban areas including the capital, Ljubljana. Foreigners moving into this area will be welcomed with a lot of greenery and open spaces, suitable for families with children. Ljubljana isn’t cramped with tourist attractions, so expats living in the area can take solace in the quiet and steady rhythm of the city. Full of museums, and art galleries, it’s a very educational and informative place for children.
Renting accommodations in Slovenia is very straightforward and follows most common procedures in most countries. Expats usually go to private agencies to cut short the search for accommodations. Prices will be higher in the coast and the main cities, with single bedroom apartments starting at $550 per month. Prices will vary according to proximity to amenities, general location and state of the units.
Expats will have to obtain a valid identification document of their residence in Slovenia. Once contacting and coming to an agreement with the landlord, a contract must be drawn up and notarized.
Driving License
Expats may use their domestic license, provided its country of origin has reciprocity with Slovenia. For legal residents, they may use their domestic license for up to six months, beyond that they will have to exchange their license for a Slovenian one. However they will still have to pass a practical exam.
Applications for license exchange can be lodged at the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency
Address: Trdinova ulica 8
Tel: 01-400-8961
Fax: 01-400-8968
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.avp-rs.si
Documents required:
- current driver's license (domestic/foreign);
- a valid medical certificate, if the period of validity of the license is limited for reasons of health (review done at a specialist occupational medicine);
- photo size of 35 x 45 mm, which shows your true image and not retouched;
- proof of payment of the administrative fee (€ 14.19) and form a driving license (€ 1.23).
From www.infotujci.si/v/47/vozni%C5%A1ko-dovoljenje
Healthcare
The quality of medical services and facilities in Slovenia are adequate. Medication and other prescription drugs are readily available; some pharmacies are even open 24 hours. EU citizens may use the EHIC cards to access state-provided medical services. Enrolment to health insurance is compulsory for all residents of Slovenia, including expats. They will receive a Slovenian Health Insurance card that affords them public healthcare including private ones, which have mutual agreements with the state.
Insurance Company
The Health Institute of Slovenia
The Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (i.e. Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije) conducts its business as a public institute, bound by statute to provide compulsory health insurance.
Address: Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije
Direkcija, Miklošičeva cesta 24, 1507 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
Tel: +386 1/30 77 296
Fax: +386 1/23 12 182
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.zzzs.si/indexeng.html
Hospitals
University Medical Centre Ljubljana
The University Medical Centre Ljubljana (UMCL) is a public health care institution providing medical services at the secondary and tertiary level. Primary care is also offered at the Divison of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. The UMCL is the leading medical institution in Slovenia and one of the largest hospitals in central Europe. It covers all subspecialties that define a hospital as a tertiary care centre (except adult psychiatry), and operates an extensive and successful transplantation programme.
Tel: +386(1) 522 50 50
Fax: +386(1) 522 24 82
Website: www.linkedin.com/company/university-clinical-center-ljubljana
Institute of Oncology
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana is a public health institution providing health services on the secondary and tertiary levels as well as performing educational and research activities in oncology in Slovenia. It was founded in 1938 and at that time was one of the first comprehensive cancer centres in Europe.
Address: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Zaloška cesta 2
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.onko-i.si/eng/institute_of_oncology/
Klinicka Golnik
University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik is recognized as the leading Slovenian hospital for pulmonary and allergic diseases. By reintroducing thoracic surgery, it aims to provide complete treatment for patients with pulmonary diseases.
Address: Golnik 36, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia
Tel: +386 4 25 69 100
Fax: +386 4 25 69 117
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.klinika-golnik.si/en
Univerzitetni klinični Center Maribor
The hospital employs approximately 2800 staff members, 450 of whom are physicians and 1300 healthcare workers.The hospital is a 1266-bed facility.Approximately 60,000 patients are treated annually. More than 390,000 outpatients are treated at 270 different outpatient clinics. The Medical Emergency Unit is a professionally and organizationally homogeneous unit providing non-stop 24-hour medical care to ill and injured people.
Address: Ljubljanska ulica 5, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Tel: 02 321 1000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ukc-mb.si/en
