Administration Before & After Arrival
Relocation to another country often means dealing with a long list of administrative procedures — both in the country you leave and in the country you arrive in. Slovenian administration can sometimes feel complex and time-consuming, especially during your first months. Below is a practical overview of the most important things to arrange before and after arriving in Slovenia.
Before Moving to Slovenia
Residence Permit
For Third Country Nationalss it's advisable and sometimes required to start the process before arriving.
Personal ID (EMSO) / Tax numner
Before if you apply for residence permit or set up a company in Slovenia.
Health insurance
Before arrival if you apply any international or Slovenian private insurance.
Bank account opening
Foreign bank accounts that you can transfer or keep once you move - e.g. Bunq, Revolut.
After Moving to Slovenia
Residence Permit
EU Nationals can start after arrival.
Personal ID (EMSO)
Before or after arrival. Received automatically when applying for residence permit, student programe, employment.
Tax Number
Before or after arrival (automatically received with applying for residence)
Health insurance
After residence permit or employment you can apply Slovenian national insurance .
Phone, Internet, TV subscription
After arrival and after obtaining tax number.
Bank account opening
After moving and obtaining residence and/or employment for any of Slovenian banks.
Driving Licence - exchange
After living in Slovenia for or 6 months(EU) or 1 year.
Digital identity - SI PASS
After arrival and residence permit
Residence permit
Applying for a temporary residence permit can be done either before or after arrival in Slovenia, depending on your country of origin and the purpose of your move.
EU citizens may enter Slovenia first and apply for residence registration within 90 days of arrival, or they may begin the process earlier. The registration procedure for EU citizens is generally faster and simpler.
Third-country nationals may enter Slovenia with a valid visa and begin the residence process after arrival. However, if you plan to stay longer for studies, employment, or family relocation, it is advisable to start the process in your home country well in advance. This helps ensure that you obtain the correct type of visa and prepare all required documents from your country of origin on time.
Where to apply before arrival?
Embassy of Republic of Slovenia in your country, your employer in Slovenia, your institution with study program or private relocation company based
Where to apply after arrival?
Personally at any of official Administrative Units in Slovenia.
For more details, see the Registration and Permits page and Get in touch with me, to help you with the process!
Personal Identification Number (EMŠO)
The EMŠO is Slovenia’s personal identification number with 13 numbers and it includes your birth date, month and year of birth. Similar to what they have in Switzerland (AHV/AVS) or in the Netherlands BSN (accept BSN also includes tax number at the same time). If you will register for temporary address or temporary permit in Slovenia, you will be given this number automatically.
- employment
- health insurance
- education
- banking
- purchasing property
- administrative services
You usually do not need to apply for it separately yourself. The first public institution you deal with often requests it on your behalf (Administrative unit, education institution, employment service).
Tax Number (Davčna številka)
Settling in
Foreigners who register residence or apply for a residence permit generally need a Slovenian tax number. You can apply before or after arrival to Slovenia directly at the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) by post, personally or through authorised person or company.
- employment
- social security registration
- opening a bank account
- purchasing property
- starting a business
- accessing eDavki and other official systems
When you will be applying for residence permit, the Administrative unit will apply directly for you and you will receive it later by post.
Note!
As a foreigner you will be on temporary residence permit for 5 years and by obtaining tax number you will not automatically be a ''tax resident'' until you apply for it .Once you are tax resident you will have to declare your income and follow dual taxation agreements.
Health Insurance
Before arriving, obtain a valid insurance from your own country, to be cover for all days until you arrange a new health insurance in Slovenia.
If you are EU citizen apply for European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) . For Third Country Nationals, arrange your private insurance in your country of origine or get on international one or apply at Slovenian Insurance agencies for private health insurance (temporary until your status in Slovenia is defined).
If you become employed or officially registered in Slovenia, you will usually join the Slovenian public health insurance system.
See for more information on the Health & Wellbeing page and Get in touch with me to find the best insurance.
Phone, Internet & TV
Several providers offer a possibility for a combined 3 in one package for: mobile, internet, and TV programms. Bundle packages are often the most economical option, contract is usually for 2 years, when you can renegotiate again the price and offer.
- Telekom Slovenije
- A1 Slovenija
- Telemach
- T-2
Get in touch for the best offer!
Bank Account Opening
Opening a bank account in Slovenia can be more complicated as you might have experienced in other countries. Slovenian banks can be more traditional regarding documentation requirements and the purpose of your stay in .
- proof of residence
- employment contract
- Slovenian tax number
- proof of income
If you need immediate access to banking services, many newcomers first use digital banks such as:
Revolut
bunq
The Netherlands- I can recommend it personally. If you have been living in one of the EU countries or Switzerland, Norway prior to move, you can open a bank account prior to arriving to Slovenia and keep it after with a changed address- super simple and legal
Get in touch to get help in opening fast a bank account in Slovenia
Digital Identity: SI-PASS
SI-PASS is Slovenia’s national electronic identification system.
- eGovernment (eUprava)
- eTaxes (eDavki)
- health services
- digital certificates
- official administrative procedures
SI-PASS becomes extremely useful once you begin handling Slovenian administration online.
You apply for it at the local Administrative office and you receive all the instruction for the registration to your home address. (unfortunately, some set-up instructions are only in Slovene and you wont be able to complete it without a help of Slovenian speaker).
Driving Licence (Vozniško dovoljenje)
All foreigners with residence in Slovenia may use a valid foreign driving licence for up to one year after registering residence.
- a registered temporary or permanent residence in Slovenia (min 6 months residence is required).
- a valid foreign license
- ID/passport
- administrative fee payment
- passport photo (taken by photographer for a photo standard for Slovenian documents or IDs)
- Enroll in a licensed driving school and and pass the theoretical and practical driving test in Slovenia
- Complete medical examinations with an authorized doctor to obtain medical certificate
- certified translation of documents (depends on the country)
Licences issued in the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein can usually be exchanged for a Slovenian licence after 6 months of residence:
Applications are submitted at the local administrative unit (Upravna enota).
Did you know?
All foreigners with residence in Slovenia may use a valid foreign driving licence for up to one year after registering residence.
58 Administrative units
You can arrange any procedure in any of 58 administrative units in Slovenia. Avoid UE Ljubljana!
Go Digital -SI PASS
Once you will arrive to Slovenia, you will be able to get SI-PASS digital access to administrative procedures. I highly recommend!
Address matters
You address will be seen on all cards (IDs, Driving licences, itd. Your registered address affects many areas of daily life — from healthcare and taxes to parking, voting, and official administrative procedures.
Get in touch
Expat Support
Expat consultancy, Urška Celner Gabrielse s.p.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
+386 51 673 373
info@liveinslovenia.si