Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or great-great-grandparents a citizen of Slovenia or an emigrant from Slovenia?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Slovenian passport and ID
Slovenian citizens can get a Slovenian passport, wherever they live.
It proves identity and citizenship and can be used to cross international borders.
It normally lasts 10 years from age 18, five years from age 3 until age 18, and three years below age 3.
Slovenian embassies and consulates can also issue identity cards.
Live in Slovenia for life
Slovenian citizens can live in Slovenia indefinitely without a residence permit.
They can enter Slovenia using Slovenian identity documents.
Get help abroad
Slovenian embassies and consulates can help citizens abroad, including with a temporary document to return after a passport is lost or stolen.
In a country outside the EU where Slovenia has no representation, citizens can seek help from another EU country’s embassy or consulate on the same basis as that country’s citizens.
Vote and run for office
Slovenian citizens can vote and stand for election from age 18 in presidential, National Assembly, European Parliament and municipal elections.
They can also take part in referendums and citizens’ initiatives.
Citizens who live permanently abroad can use the available postal, diplomatic-mission or Slovenian polling arrangements.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find an administrative unit
Find an administrative unit in Slovenia. You can hand in your application at any unit, but the one covering your registered address will handle it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Slovenian administrative unit covers your city for a citizenship by naturalisation application?”
Download the application form
Download the application for Slovenian citizenship by naturalisation and its instructions. The page calls it an application for regular naturalisation.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the form, stating that you are applying for ancestry naturalisation under Article 12.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Slovenian citizenship by naturalisation application form as a descendant?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the administrative unit.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a visit if the administrative unit requires or recommends one.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Slovenian administrative unit in your city for citizenship by naturalisation?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed, signed form and required documents to an administrative unit, and say you are applying for ancestry naturalisation under Article 12. Pay the fee using the method the office gives you.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Slovenian citizenship by naturalisation application at the administrative unit in your city?”
Attend required appointments
Attend any language or oath appointments the administrative unit requires.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath for Slovenian citizenship by naturalisation?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the administrative unit handling your case to decide. Respond if it asks for more information or documents.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Slovenian citizenship by naturalisation as a descendant take at an administrative unit?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and the birth records of your parent, grandparent and Slovenian great-grandparent. The records should show how each generation is related. If anyone in the line was adopted, add the adoption decision.
Great-grandparent's citizenship records
Get a record showing that your Slovenian great-grandparent was a Slovenian citizen or emigrant, or another record showing their qualifying connection to Slovenia. Ask the Slovenian civil or register office that holds the record for a copy.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates that help link you to your Slovenian great-grandparent through your parent and grandparent. Include any divorce or name change records needed to explain differences in names.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to show your family connection.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
Citizens living abroad must keep their residence records accurate and register the address where they actually live.
Military duty for men
Ordinary compulsory military service has ended, but military duty remains for Slovenian men aged 17 to 50 and reserve officers up to age 60.
They are entered in the military register and can be called into defence service if security conditions seriously deteriorate or in war.
General military duty can be brought back, and work or material duties can be imposed in an emergency or war.
Lost or stolen passport
A lost or stolen passport must be reported promptly.
Abroad, a Slovenian citizen must report it to the Slovenian authorities or a Slovenian embassy or consulate within the required period.
Citizenship can end
Slovenian citizenship can end through release or renunciation.
When citizenship ends, the Slovenian passport must be handed in for destruction.
The rights and protections that come from Slovenian citizenship then end.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats & Foreigners in Slovenia
English Facebook group for people living in Slovenia interested in Slovene local life
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on Redditr/europe
English Reddit group for people interested in local life in Europe
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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