Nationality of Slovenia: all obtaining pathways
Slovenia requires ten years of residence — five continuous before the application — Slovene and economic solvency for ordinary naturalization. A marriage of at least three years reduces it to one year of residence, and Slovene emigrants and their descendants up to the fourth degree have their own pathway.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- At least 18 years old (art. 10(1))
- Release from previous citizenship (otpust) or proof it will be granted (art. 10(2))
- 10 years of actual residence with the last 5 continuous before applying + regular alien status (art. 10(3))
- Means ensuring material and social security for self and dependants (art. 10(4))
- Slovene for everyday communication, proven by official basic-level exam (art. 10(5))
- No final conviction to unconditional imprisonment >3 months or suspended sentence with probation >1 year (art. 10(6))
- No previous revocation of residence in Slovenia (art. 10(7))
- No danger to public order, security or national defence (art. 10(8))
- Tax obligations settled (art. 10(9))
- Oath of respect for the democratic constitutional order (art. 10(10))
- DISCRETIONARY decision of the competent authority in the national interest
Documentation
- Slovenian citizenship application
- Passport and permanent residence permit
- Criminal record certificates from Slovenia and the country of origin
- Proof of command of Slovene
- Proof of income and housing
- Legalized birth and marriage certificates
- Tax-status certificate
- Declaration renouncing the previous nationality
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Married ≥3 years to a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia (art. 12(3))
- 1 year of continuous actual residence in Slovenia before applying (physical absence for non-interruptive reasons on the spouse's side is admitted)
- Regular alien status
- Conditions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of art. 10 (the 10-year residence not required)
- DISCRETIONARY decision in the national interest
Documentation
- Slovenian citizenship application
- Marriage certificate (at least 3 years)
- Residence permit
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of command of Slovene
- Birth certificate
- Tax-status certificate
3Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Slovenian citizen at the time of birth and the child is born in Slovenia
- If both parents are Slovene, the child acquires the citizenship automatically regardless of place of birth
- If only one parent is Slovene and the child is born abroad, the parents must apply for the citizenship before the child turns 18
- Adults born abroad to a Slovene parent may apply for the citizenship up to age 36
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the child
- Birth certificate of the Slovene father/mother
- Slovene passport of the father/mother
- Consular registration application (if born abroad)
- Citizenship application declaration (for adults up to 36)
4Naturalization for Slovene emigrants and their descendants
Naturalization for Slovene emigrants and their descendants
Requirements
- Being a Slovene emigrant or descendant up to the 4th degree in direct line (art. 12(1))
- 1 year of actual residence in Slovenia before applying
- Regular alien status
- Conditions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of art. 10
- Discretionary decision in the national interest
Documentation
- Naturalization application
- Birth certificate and documentation proving Slovene ancestry
- Recommendations from Slovenian associations abroad
- Proof of at least 5 years of active participation
- Official documents demonstrating the ancestor's Slovene nationality
5Extraordinary naturalization
Extraordinary naturalization
Requirements
- Effective residence in Slovenia of at least 1 year with foreigner status
- The acquisition of the citizenship must be in the national interest (academic, scientific, economic, cultural, national or other spheres)
- The Slovenian government must give its consent
- Keeping the original nationality is allowed
- In exceptional cases the residence requirement may be waived if the person has made an exceptional contribution to Slovenia
Documentation
- Extraordinary naturalization application
- Documentary proof of exceptional merit
- Residence permit
- Birth certificate
- Supporting letters and references
- Opinion of the competent government department
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Slovenia
How many years of residence does Slovenia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Slovenia (Naturalization by residence), the term is 10 years of actual residence in Slovenia, of which the last 5 continuous before applying (art. 10(3)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Slovenia allow dual nationality?
Release from previous citizenship (otpust) or proof it will be granted (art. 10(2))
Can the nationality of Slovenia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (≥3 years married to a Slovene citizen + 1 year of continuous actual residence before applying (art. 12(3))). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Slovenia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Slovenian citizenship application; Passport and permanent residence permit; Criminal record certificates from Slovenia and the country of origin; Proof of command of Slovene; Proof of income and housing; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Slovenia?
Slovenia provides 5 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by descent, Naturalization for Slovene emigrants and their descendants, Extraordinary naturalization.
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