Business Immigration

Relocate to Europe and set up a company in Slovenia in 2026 — step-by-step legal support.

Business Immigration to Slovenia

Setting up a company in Slovenia is one of the most clear and manageable relocation routes: you register a legal entity, formalise an employment relationship with your own company, and then submit a residence permit application on that basis. For many applicants, this is also a practical alternative to “buying a business in Europe”—instead of purchasing a ready-made company, you build and grow your own EU structure with a transparent legal framework.

After the company is registered, the applicant may qualify for a residence permit if at least one of the following conditions is met:

You have a higher education qualification (a Bachelor’s degree or above);
You have made investments into the company’s fixed assets of at least €50,000;
The company demonstrates monthly turnover of at least €10,000 for 6 consecutive months;
The company employs an EU resident for a period of at least 6 months.

Residence permit via a university degree: the simplest route without major investment

If you hold a university degree (including degrees obtained in Russia or other CIS countries), this option is often the most straightforward: it does not require significant investment or sustained business turnover at the start. In most cases, your field of study does not have to match the company’s future line of business.

Step 1. Registering a company in Slovenia and preparing for employment

First, we register a legal entity in Slovenia, arrange a registered business address, and prepare the document package for the next step—employment in your own company.

What you typically need

Higher-education diploma with an apostille*
Valid international passport
Slovenian tax number (davčna številka)
Criminal record certificate with an apostille
Tax clearance certificate (confirmation of no outstanding tax liabilities)

* An apostille certifies a document for use abroad. Without it, a document issued in one country may not be legally recognized in another.

Important about timing and translations: documents often must be recently issued (commonly within 3 months for certain certificates). In most cases, you will need a certified translation into Slovenian.

Share capital and registered address

To register a company, you need EUR 7,500 in share capital and a registered business address. The capital can be used for business needs, such as equipment, operating expenses, salary payments, taxes, and social contributions.

Labour market test

Before a work permit/residence permit based on employment can be issued, a labour market test may apply: the Employment Service checks whether suitable candidates are available among citizens/residents. If no suitable candidates are found, the case can move forward under the procedure for third-country nationals.

Step 2. Submitting the residence permit application

Once the legal basis and supporting documents are ready, the residence permit application is submitted. A typical document set may include:

Higher education diploma + transcript: apostille + certified translation into Slovene
Criminal record certificate: apostille (usually issued within the last 3 months) + translation
Digital photo on a light background
Medical insurance with coverage of EUR 35,000 (often arranged for a 12-month period)

After submission, you will typically receive an invitation for biometrics (fingerprints).

Processing times most commonly range from 2 to 4 months, but may vary depending on the administrative unit (Upravna enota) and overall workload.

Step 3. Collecting the residence card and mandatory steps after arrival

After the residence card is issued and you enter Slovenia, it is important to complete the key formalities:

Address registration at your place of residence — typically within 8 days after moving in.
Employment start formalities and registration in the social insurance system.
Ongoing compliance: regular salary payments and timely payment of taxes and mandatory contributions.

Status timeline: from temporary residence to permanent residence and citizenship

A first residence permit is generally issued for up to 2 years, and subsequent renewals may be granted for up to 3 years. After 5 years of legal residence, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence. After 10 years, subject to meeting the legal requirements, you may be eligible to apply for Slovenian citizenship.

Why clients trust us

01 / Transparency

We work with full transparency and set clear expectations from day one. Our priority is to make your relocation and settlement as smooth as possible.

02 / Results

We don’t promise the impossible. Instead, we build a realistic strategy for your situation, explain the process, and guide you through every required step.

03 / Experience

Over 10 years of experience and deep knowledge of relocation and legal processes make outcomes more predictable—and the journey clearer and easier to navigate.

04 / Fair Terms

We offer fair and transparent payment terms: you can start with a partial upfront fee, with the remaining amount paid after key milestones are completed.

— 150+ successful residence cases

Client Reviews

LegalToMove

We’ve collected a selection of client feedback about our work. We know how important this step is, so we aim to reduce stress and guide you clearly through every stage of the process.

I spent a long time researching relocation options in Europe and found LegalToMove. The team was professional and supportive, and the process moved faster than I expected. During the consultation, everything was explained clearly, and after we started working together they stayed involved and patiently answered all my questions. Thank you for your support and great work!

Sergey

I contacted LegalToMove for help with a Slovenia residence permit and I’m very happy I did. I hesitated for a long time—moving as a single parent with children can be challenging, and my case wasn’t straightforward. The team did an excellent job. The timeline shifted slightly due to public holidays in Slovenia and a short delay in issuing the card, but they stayed in touch throughout and resolved every question quickly. Thank you for your work and support!

Valy

I first learned about the company when I was already in Slovenia as a student. The agency I used before made mistakes in the paperwork, and I ran into a problem that no one could solve. I found LegalToMove through a referral, and they handled the situation—even after long discussions with the local administrative office. They know local rules and procedures well and can resolve cases that seem like dead ends. Thank you.

Egor

Everything was handled remotely and efficiently. They helped set up the company and submit my director appointment quickly. Many people told me it wasn’t possible, so I didn’t expect this level of support. Great experience—moving forward, I’ll work only with you.

Oleg

I was accepted to a university in Slovenia, but I faced an issue with my residence card process. I contacted LegalToMove and everything was resolved much faster than I expected—the card was issued via the embassy in about 1.5 months. Thank you!

Diana

Ready to move to Slovenia and start a new chapter in Europe?

Book a consultation today. We’ll assess your case, explain the residence permit pathway that fits your goals, and provide a clear, practical action plan.

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Business Immigration