Slovenia temporary residence permit for business

Business immigration is one of the most convenient options for moving to Slovenia and obtaining European citizenship in the future for foreign investors. It works for those who really want to run their business here, make a profit and move their family. According to the law of the country, residents of third countries - non-EU residents - may obtain a temporary residence permit through the purchase or registration of a company. But in order to submit an application, it is necessary to show that the business is not fictitious, but it actually works. It will not work to break the requirement. The residence permit is issued for a year, then it is extended according to the 1 + 1 + 2 scheme based on the existing business. Relatives can be brought to Slovenia in a year - on the basis of family reunion.

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Program's details

€50,000 minimum investment
4 months residence permit registration time
No tests on knowledge of the language, history and culture
The right to live in the country without the need to travel outside of it
The right to work study, get medical care and do business
The right to travel around the Schengen area up to 90 days in half a year
Safety and high quality of life
Permanent residence permit and citizenship after 5 and 10 years of residence

About the Program

The migration legislation of Slovenia has changed in 2015. On the one hand, the requirements have become more strict. First, the size of the main investment in the business was increased (to € 50,000). Secondly, the requirements for the activities of legal entities have become more stringent: in the first year, the company should make a profit, and the owner should pay all taxes and duties to social funds. At the same time, there are still no restrictions on the field of activity. Thirdly, the holder of this residence permit can apply for permission for family reunification only after a year of residence in the country.

On the other hand, some of the rules have been simplified. In particular, obtaining a work permit and a residence permit was legislatively combined.  Now foreign entrepreneurs submit the documents only once (after the company is entered into the register and the begins its activity) and receive these two certificates simultaneously.

Residence permit cards and work permits are issued at the Slovenian Embassy in the country of residence, however, you should  register them upon arrival.  It is advisable to register  the address of residence in Slovenia in advance, it can be obtained when renting accommodation or  under a real estate sale and purchase contract.

The residence permit is valid for one year. The status is extended twice - for a year and then for another two years. You may apply for permanent residence permit  after five years, after another five years - for citizenship. In Slovenia it is prohibited to have two citizenships, which means that you will have to give up your first passport.

In 2019, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Slovenia has issued more than 82 thousand permits for temporary and permanent residence to third-country nationals. Over the nine months of 2020 - more than 53 thousand.

Please note! The purchase of real estate is not a reason for obtaining a residence permit. Moreover, Slovenian law does not allow foreigners - not EU and US citizens - to acquire Slovenian square meters as individuals. They can become real estate owners only as legal entities, that is, by pre-registering a company and purchasing an object on its name. Read more about obtaining real estate in Slovenia.

Conditions for Obtaining a Residence Permit

Opening a legal entity and employment in it

The best option is  Družba z omejeno odgovornostjo or d.o.o, where the applicant is the founder. The minimum authorized capital of the company is €7,500.

Then the founder must fulfill one of the conditions:

  • To invest  at least €50,000 in the fixed capital of the company . You can invest in vehicles, equipment and, among other things, buy commercial or residential real estate.
  • To employ a Slovenian or an EU citizen  as a full-time employee for at least six months.
  • To show receipts of funds to the current account of the company of  at least €10,000 monthly for six months before submitting the documents for a residence permit.
  • If you have a specialized higher education, you can work in your own company as a specialist.

Requirements to investors

Investors should meet the  following basic requirements

  • To be over 18 years of age.
  • To have enough money to invest and move.
  • To have a good reputation and no criminal record.

Residence Permits for Family Members

Since 2015, a foreigner has the right to apply for family reunification no earlier than after a year of residence in Slovenia with a residence permit and if it is extended for another year. The applicants for reunification can be:

  • a spouse of the residence permit owner,
  • minors and unmarried adult children,
  • parents if they need daily care.

Documents

To open and register a company

  • A valid international passport.
  • A copy of the TIN issued in the country of residence.
  • Certificate of no criminal record.

To obtain a residence permit

  • Application form, completed and personally signed by the applicant on the letterhead of the Slovenian Consulate.
  • An international passport valid for at least six months at the time of applying for a residence permit and copies of its main pages.
  • Two color pictures 3.5x4.5 sm.
  • Documents confirming the basis for obtaining a residence permit - documents of ownership of a legal entity, a valid work permit, an employment contract for your company, a business plan (if necessary).
  • Bank statement on the availability of a sufficient amount for the move (the amount for a month's residence must not be less than the minimum wage established in Slovenia - €940.58).
  • Certificate of no criminal record issued at the place of residence. The document is valid for three months.
  • Diploma of Higher Education.
  • International medical insurance covering a minimum of €30,000

All documents should be translated into Slovenian and notarized. Apostille must be affixed to the certificate of no criminal record. Also, you should have copies of all documents with you.

Additional Expenses

The costs of establishing a company
  • €1,500–2,000 - the cost of registering a company, including the cost of notary and translator services.
  • €7,500 - the minimum authorized capital of the company.
Company maintenance costs
  • €50,000 - the minimum amount of investment in the capital of the company.
  • Income tax payment (depending on the total amount of profit) - 20% of the profit (the payment is annual) or 4% of the turnover (monthly payment ). The minimum recommended level of the company's turnover for extending a residence permit is from €20,000.
  • €300-400 is the actual cost of payroll taxes. Total expense amount: €1,100-1,200
  • €100-150 per month - accounting
  • €100 per month - legal address
  • €20 per month - bank account management
Charges and fees
  • €120 – consular fee for the first residence permit / temporary residence permit

Rights and Obligations

  • The created company should perform activity. To successfully renew the status, you need to pay taxes on a monthly basis, keep accounting records, and submit the annual balance sheet.
  • The right to stay on the territory of Slovenia for a long time without the need to leave its borders.
  • The right to educate children free of charge in a secondary school..
  • The right to receive free medical care, social support in the form of benefits, bonuses, reduced payments and redemptions.
  • Possibility to conduct business in a stable zone of Europe, to be serviced by rating banks in Slovenia.
  • Opportunity to purchase real estate for the established  legal entity. For example, many foreigners buy one or more properties that are rented out and generate income. They receive a passive business and fulfill the requirements for renewing a residence permit.
  • There is no right to vote, work in government agencies, or buy real estate for individuals.
  • Opportunity to apply for permanent residence status and citizenship of Slovenia.

The procedure for obtaining

1
Consultation with a lawyer
1 week
A specialist will study your situation and give recommendations based on the goals of the investor and his financial capabilities
2
Preparation of documents
1 week
At the first stage, the investor should prepare a copy of the TIN number, a certificate of no criminal record, and also, together with the lawyers, come up with a company name, choose a legal address, and decide on the types of activities.
3
Registration of a company in Slovenia
3-10 working days
The company is registered on the basis of a general power of attorney with the help of a law office, also they open a bank account, to which the authorized capital is deposited, they receive a foreigner's tax number and register the company in court.
4
Fulfillment of the condition for applying for a residence permit
1 week - 6 months
At the applicant's discretion, it is possible to invest €50,000 in fixed assets and use them to purchase real estate and other properties, equipment, etc., or to have a turnover of at least €60,000 in six months. The business should continue to operate, and the owner should pay all taxes and duties.
5
Applying for a residence permit and employment
1 day
The package of documents is submitted personally by the applicant to the Slovenian Embassy in the country of residence, as well as going through the procedure for submitting biometric data and paying the consular fee.
6
Consideration of the application
1 - 4 months
The decision to issue the first residence permit is made by the relevant administrative-territorial body of Slovenia (Upravni enoti). It is prohibited to visit Slovenia during this period.
7
Obtaining a residence permit
1 day
A one-year residence permit card is issued personally to the applicant. After that he needs to register in Slovenia within a week.

Companies working with this program

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