Living and working in Slovenia
Slovenia is a hidden gem in Europe, and it is an underestimated destination for expats, holding beautiful mountainous landscapes and coastlines.
So keep reading and get to know more about what it would be like moving to Slovenia!
Latest available jobs near Slovenia
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Currency
The Euro (€) has been the official currency in Slovenia since 2007
Famous people
Some famous Slovenian people are Anže Kopitar, Goran Dragić, and Melania Trump
Population
Slovenia has ~2.1 million residents,many living Ljubljana
Typical food
Hot pot dishes, bled cream cake, Prekmurska Gibanica (pastry stuffed with e.g. poppy seeds, cottage cheese, apple, or walnut), Carniolan Sausage
Avg. working week
Slovenia has a 40 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Slovenia is in central Europe, eastern Alps, and borders the Adriatic Sea, Austria, and Croatia. The capital city is Ljubljana
Languages
The official language is Slovenian, and they use the Latin alphabet
Healthcare
Slovenian healthcare has a good standard and mecical srvices to all residents
What you need to know about working in Slovenia
Slovenian people are hardworking and don’t mind working long hours. The working day usually starts between 7 am and 9 Am depending on the sector you work in. Their work culture is often compared to Germans or Austrians, with a more formal way of being.
The business environment is welcoming towards expats, providing good conditions and opportunities. As an employee, you are entitled to the same conditions of healthcare as nationals, and you have four weeks of vacation annually. Recently the Slovenian government introduced new benefits like study leave for work-related courses or flexible working hours for mothers. The average annual wage is €26 000 which is plenty for living a good life.
Most expats work and live in the capital city Ljubljana because it is the center of economic development for Slovenia. In your future working place, you will meet both nationals and internationals since the environment is diverse.
Taxes in Slovenia
Income tax rate in Slovenia is based on your income and starts at 16% and ends at 50%. The lowest tax is paid by individuals earning €8.500 and less, and the highest tax applies for earnings from €70.000. Taxation rate rules are the same for residents and non-residents and the application form can be submitted both online or filled out in person and sent by post. There is no fee, however, in case you don’t apply within the limit of time you might be charged a fine.
What you need to fix when living and working in Slovenia
- Residence registration; you need a temporary residence permit, which is usually tied to employment
- Register your address; mandatory once you move into your accommodation
- Obtain a tax number; needed for employment, opening a bank account, signing contracts
- Health insurance; this is mandatory in Slovenia
- Open up a local bank account; needed for salary payments
- Get a local SIM card
Popular cities in Slovenia
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Slovenia
Whether you seek a peaceful life surrounded by nature or a vibrant urban lifestyle, Slovenia has it all. From arts and to healthy work-life balance, living in Slovenia promises a fulfilling experience.
Slovenia has a rich culture that has survived until these days thanks to the efforts of their people. The cornerstone of Slovenian culture is their language. They are very proud of their cultural traditions and language and you can see their cultural activity like festivals in the main cities as well as in small towns. Each little town, is submerged into their roots.
4 fun facts about Slovenia
- They are bee lovers: around 80.000 people are beekeepers in Slovenia and it’s considered almost like a religion.
- Slovenians definitely are not the “fight me” type, they rank as the 7th country in the world’s leading measure of national peacefulness” survey, out of 163!
- It has the world cheapest ski resort, a stay here may cost you half of the total in other ski resorts.
- A really (really) beautiful lake resides here, the Lake Bled. With a temperature of 26º it’s a daydreaming destination, plus it has a tear-shaped island in the middle with the Church of the Assumption from the 15th century.
Culture in Slovenia
Slovenians have many notable events like the Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts (which has gained a reputation as one of the greatest European visual art events) the annual Ljubljana Summer Festival, Festival Lent in Maribor, the Life film festival, the Exodos festival of dance arts in Ljubljana, the Ana Desetnica street theatre gathering, the PEN Writers’ Meeting in Bled, the Vilenica Writers’ Meeting in Sežana, and the Biennial of Industrial Design.
There are many cultural events in Slovenia. You can easily find cultural news about when the next celebration is taking place, and don’t hesitate to join any of their activities by visiting their many centres spread along the country.
Cuisine in Slovenia
Part of the rich culture in Slovenia is their food and wines. Wine has a special place in Slovenian cuisine. It is very unique, and for every 70 people there is a vineyard in Slovenia. Along with wine, honey making is also popular in Slovenia. They respect and adore bees, so a big part of the population are beekeepers: and actually, this profession is born in Slovenia.
Between the famous dishes in Slovenia there are:
- Bled Cream Cake: from the Gorenjska region, it’s a cream slice made of dough and packed with a layer of vanilla/custard and a thick layer of cream.
- Prekmurska Gibanica: This is a dough-like pastry stuffed on the inside with various fillings, but most commonly poppy seeds, cottage cheese, apple, or walnut.
- Carniolan Sausage (Krajnska Klobasa): This is a sausage made from pork, bacon, garlic, salt, pepper and is smoked.
Finding accommodation in Slovenia
While looking for a place to stay you might be pleasantly surprised because of the many available choices. Options vary from a bed in a shared room to a fully furnished apartment. To look for accommodation on your own, start from websites e.g. this one, choose the type of accommodation you are interested in and see offers available. A similar opportunity is Facebook groups about accommodation in Slovenia. These are the average monthly rental prices in Slovenia:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €700-€1,200
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €470-€750
- Room in a shared apartment: €250-€450
Cost of living in Slovenia
Slovenia is a very affordable place to live for expats. Below you can find everyday expenses of living and working in Slovenia:
- Groceries: €200-€350 a month
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €7-€20
- Coffee in a café: €1,50-€3
- 0.5L Beer in a bar: €2,50-€4
- Gym membership: €30-€50 a month
- Cinema ticket: €5-€7
Expats in Slovenia
Slovenia is a beautiful country with majestic landscapes and a diverse nature, holding snowy mountains, cosy small towns, and warm lakes that are perfect for a swim. Most of the expat community stay in Ljubljana because it’s not a big country. In general Slovenians are very friendly and welcoming towards expats to the point they will treat you like a king or queen. And because they are very proud of their culture, they won’t hesitate 1 second to show you all their traditions and customs!
Still not convinced about Slovenia?
While living and working abroad it is normal to deal with homesickness now and then. But if you choose to live in Slovenia you are guaranteed to be welcomed warmly, both in a professional field and in your private life. This affordable country with good work opportunities for foreigners, and a vivid expat community is a good place to start living and working abroad. We also have a guide about how to stay connected with your friends and family back home that might help with homesickness.
FAQ
No, you do not need to apply for a work permit before working in Slovenia, if you are an EU citizen. Read more about it here.
Slovenians are very proud of their language, so it is needless to say that when they see foreigners trying to speak their national language they become even more open than usual. For this reason, when it comes to practice, you will have many opportunities since nationals will gladly help you with your progress by small talk while making grocery shopping or buying a beer in a pub.
There are plenty of free online courses intended for foreigners to learn Slovenian, you can visit websites like this slonline.si to start even before departure. You can also see, being already there, if there are any private teachers offering language courses. Learning from somebody who knows Slovenian will let you develop pronunciation in an excellent way. Also don’t be afraid to ask your newly made friends to speak Slovenian with you, even if they are foreigners too! Knowledge of the language will help you to get around better and faster so don’t hesitate to start.
In Slovenia, temperatures can vary depending on the region and season. In the summer, temperatures typically range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, with occasional spikes above 30°C in some areas. Winters can be cold, with temperatures ranging from -2 to 7°C on average. The coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, while the inland areas experience a more continental climate, leading to diverse and enjoyable weather throughout the year.
Getting around Slovenia is relatively easy and convenient. The country has a well-developed transportation network, including buses, trains, and a well-maintained road system. Ljubljana, the capital, offers a comprehensive public transportation system with buses and a funicular. For exploring the beautiful countryside, renting a car is a popular option. Additionally, Slovenia is a great destination for cycling enthusiasts, with numerous cycling paths and bike-friendly cities.
Healthcare in Slovenia is characterized by universal coverage, providing high-quality medical services to all citizens and legal residents. The country has a well-developed healthcare system with public and private facilities, ensuring access to medical care, preventive services, and essential treatments. Slovenia also offers affordable healthcare, and patients benefit from competent healthcare professionals and modern medical technologies.
