Moving to Slovenia: Tips & Details for Expats for Safe Relocation

If you are looking for the most pristine natural areas in all of Europe, Slovenia is truly a natural paradise! 

Whenever you consider skiing a thrill in the winter on the mountains covered in snow or prefer to be warm on the seaside, which offers picturesque historic towns, a plunge in clean water, and stunning sunsets, Slovenia has everything to satisfy your preferences.

If moving to Slovenia is an exciting idea, IMovingTo will genuinely guide you on the path to becoming a Slovenian expat without any hesitation.

Get to Know Slovenia: Attractive Things for Expats

If meeting new people from diverse cultures is one of your top priorities, Slovenia should be at the forefront. Generally speaking, Slovenians are patriotic people who are also open-minded but curiously conservative. It produces sincere, friendly hospitality.

You’ll be delighted to know that Slovenia is a country where people frequently leave their cars unlocked while in a store and where children may still play in the streets without their parents worrying. According to statistics, Slovenia has the lowest murder rate in the EU.

Slovenia is swiftly rising to prominence as one of Europe’s most captivating culinary destinations because of its enchanting cuisine, unique wines, and strange and mysterious winemaking methods. It may be surprising, but Slovenia is home to the oldest grape-bearing vine in the world.

The weather in Slovenia is almost ideal. Snow lovers will like Slovenia’s genuine, chilly, snowy winters. There are ski resorts spread out across the entire nation, including Krvavec, which is only 30 minutes from Ljubljana. The hot summers in Slovenia call for relaxed days spent cooling down by the lake, river, or seashore. Additionally, with their bright days and brisk evenings, spring and fall are the perfect in-between seasons.

Cost of Living in Slovenia

Slovenia is considered the most expensive country in Eastern Europe, making living there more expensive than in 61% of the world’s nations. However, living in Slovenia is unquestionably cheaper than living in the USA or UK. If you have a steady source of money from work, Slovenian costs are not so high compared to the rest of Europe, so you may live comfortably without having to reduce your spending.

If you want to move here, you will need between €1300 and €1500 per month in costs, not including rent if you live alone. A family of four requires between €2,200 and €2,900 per month, excluding rent.

The largest portion of a household’s monthly budget is spent on needs like food, clothing, and personal care. This is particularly true for food costs, which account for more than 30% of the whole expenditure, which often translates into these indications.

• One-bedroom apartment in the city center: €512.18
• One-bedroom apartment outside of the city center: €417.03
• Basic bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for a small apartment: €215.39
• Monthly transport pass: €34.50
• Three-course meal for a couple in a mid-range restaurant: €40

Visa Types & Requirements

Slovenia is a member of the European Community and a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. For 3 months, whether for trade or tourism, the government permits US citizens to enter the country without a visa. However, the passport should be valid for at least 90 days after the end of the trip. Along with a confirmed reservation for a return flight, you’ll also need €10,000 or the equivalent in cash.

The Schengen area is made up of 26 European nations, and there are no border restrictions. Among them are France, Greece, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They follow a standard process for obtaining temporary visas.

• A financial summary from the past 6 months that demonstrates your ability to support yourself during your travel to the Schengen area is required to obtain a tourist visa.
• You should submit an invitation explaining the purpose and cost of the trip if you are traveling for the arts, sports, movie projects, or religion.
• You will be required to provide an invitation from a Slovenian company for the profession’s sake.
• You will be needed to provide documentation showing that you have finished the present course of study as well as confirmation of your financial viability for educational purposes.

How to Move Your Household Belongings in Slovenia

The majority of experienced expats, as well as those who are moving overseas for the first time, prefer to benefit from the services offered by experienced international moving companies. Considering that they often provide international moving and packing services as well, it is another great advantage to take advantage of their assistance.

Until your packages are delivered to your new house, these companies will supervise the entire moving process. The containers arrive in the Port of Koper between 25 and 45 days later, after which the cargo will be inspected by local customs officers.

The products should be in the owner’s possession and have been used for more than 6 months, according to a statement that is signed by the owner of the goods and attests to their usage in Slovenia.

Slovenian and other EU citizens who have lived outside the EU for more than 1 year and are moving there are allowed to import used furniture and other personal items without paying import customs duties and taxes, provided that these taxes were already paid when the item was purchased in the country of origin.

Healthcare System & Insurance Plans for Foreigners

Slovenia has a universal healthcare system that guarantees the best possible care for all of its inhabitants and residents. Taxes are a way for all individuals, corporations, and workers to support the public healthcare system.

However, when seeking medical attention, people should present a medical card. Access to a range of medical treatments is also available to EU individuals with EHIC cards. Residents, including foreign nationals, are required to enroll in health insurance.

The healthcare program provided by a company or organization should be self-registered by all employees. A total of 13.45% of employee and employer revenue should be set aside for healthcare costs. The majority of medical services, including appointments with general practitioners, the price of prescription medications, and hospitalization for urgent conditions, are covered by the public healthcare system.

If you’re an expat considering moving to Slovenia, you should know that global nomads, digital nomads, and expats in Slovenia are required to get a comprehensive international health insurance plan that provides coverage for airlifting and medical evacuation abroad in the event of a medical emergency.

Most public and private hospitals in Slovenia accept the insurance plans offered by Cigna Global and Allianz International, out of all the well-known international insurance providers.

Getting Accommodation in Slovenia

Slovenia offers a variety of accommodations based on your preferences. Depending on the property’s location, size, and amenities, prices might vary significantly. In Ljubljana and along the shore, which are both in high demand, prices are higher. Slovenia allows non-EU citizens to rent and buy real estate as long as certain conditions are satisfied.

The easiest option to find a property may be to work with a local real estate agent, particularly if you are not familiar with the area or have limited language abilities. You can also obtain housing directly from the landlord through online rental sites or newspaper advertisements.

Once you have found a property, you will need a passport or other form of government-issued identification to process the rental agreement and a notary to sign the lease documents.

Living Like a Local: Social Life in Slovenia

Slovenia is renowned for having a fairly orderly and honest society. They are characterized as being exceedingly nice, fiercely patriotic, and always happy to promote their nation.

Ljubljana, the nation’s capital, is among the most livable and environmentally friendly capitals in all of Europe. One of the world’s friendliest capitals, the city also has restricted car traffic in its central area. These two factors together make it one of the most relaxed cities in the world.

What’s more appealing, natural beauty and diverse architecture make this country a wonderful destination to live in. When the sun sets, Slovenia takes on a whole different atmosphere. From lovely lights to busy entertainment, the nation offers a variety of ways to enjoy the nightlife as the night falls.

Keep in mind that if you’re a nightlife lover, you should explore big cities like Ljubljana and Bled that stand out with their nightlife entertainment options.

Best Destinations for Expats to Live in Slovenia

Ljubljana

The capital and largest city of Slovenia is Ljubljana, a charming and well-kept city with a rich cultural heritage. A deep blue river runs through the city, which is bordered by stunning landscapes. It boasts robust bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian zones, and vast green spaces. 

Maribor

The second-largest city in Slovenia is Maribor. The city is alive with the energy and grace of Renaissance art. Maribor, known for its sparkling wines, is one of Europe’s oldest cities with the best preservation. The town’s architecture originates from the Habsburg Empire and is modest but cozy. Several charming cafes and restaurants are bustling with people well into the night.

Kranj

Kranj, which is located between Lake Bled and Ljubljana, is more commonly referred to as the capital of the Slovenian Alps. It is undoubtedly one of Slovenia’s most picturesque locations. The history, culture, and culinary scene of Kranj cover 6,000 years.

Trencin

Trencin is a stunning city that has a fascinating historical core and provides a pleasant way of life. Trencin’s ranking as one of Slovenia’s wealthiest cities is another factor that makes it one of the best places to live in the nation. The standard of living is high here, and the unemployment rate is very low.

Pros & Cons of Moving to Slovenia

Pros

Diversity in surroundings and gastronomy

Slovenia is home to a wide variety of natural features, including mountains, lakes, caverns, wild rivers, perfectly kept cities, castles, and even the sea. If you prefer being in nature and breathing clean air, Slovenia is the place for you.

Slovenia can also take pride in its mouth-watering cuisine due to the variety and abundance of choices available.

Greatly preserved environment

The majority of the population in Slovenia respects its environment, and the country has done well to conserve most of its natural beauty.

It is ranked as the third-most wooded country in Europe and has low litter levels and strong recycling availability. Slovenes adore the great outdoors and spend a lot of time kayaking, paragliding, rock climbing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Multilingual locals

You’ll find it simple to settle down in Slovenia and get used to it right away, since English is commonly spoken, along with German in the east and Italian in the west of the country.

Other languages from throughout the world, such as French and Spanish, are also spoken by younger generations.

Cons

Poor customer service

After arriving in Slovenia, you may notice that a business falls short of what customers typically expect in terms of service quality and response time.

A lack of employee engagement and motivation may be the cause of this because a lack of effort on the part of customer service representatives frequently results in poor customer service.

Neighborhood disagreements

It appears that there is a deep-seated case of neighborly envy in Slovenia, as there seems to be an incredibly high incidence of disagreements and feuds between neighbors.

“It’s better the neighbor’s cow perish if we don’t have one” is a well-known Slovene proverb that encapsulates this attitude. The somewhat tragic implication of the tale is that Slovenians would rather see their own cows die than have to share anything with their neighbors.

Final Thoughts

As it seems, Slovenia is an ideal relocation destination if you intend to explore bustling cities, historic fortresses, winding mountain landscapes, and even beachfront resorts.

So if you’re looking for professional moving services to streamline your relocation, don’t hesitate to benefit from international relocation services at IMovingTo. We will guarantee a peaceful journey while simplifying your moving process!