Digital nomad
A dedicated status for remote workers has been in force since 21 November 2025: one year without extension, a €3,120 threshold and — unlike Croatia — ordinary taxes once you are a resident.
Who it suits: those working for clients abroad and ready to rent housing in advance
- Remote work for a foreign employer or clients must be proven
- A housing rental agreement and health insurance are required
- The status does not allow working for Slovenian companies
In short
The ground was introduced by amendments to the Aliens Act (ZTuj-2I); permits have been issued since 21 November 2025. Its official name is dovoljenje za začasno prebivanje za digitalnega nomada.
Who it suits
- Employees of companies registered outside Slovenia
- Self-employed people and freelancers working for clients outside Slovenia
Who it does not suit
- Citizens of the EU and EEA — they do not need this status
- Anyone with even a single Slovenian client
- Those looking for a long-term base in Europe: the permit lasts a year and is not extended
What you must prove
Income — at least two average net monthly salaries in Slovenia according to the latest figures published in the official gazette. Today that means from €3,120 a month.
The figure is recalculated as the statistics change, so check the current value with the Statistical Office of Slovenia before filing. The formula stays the same; only the amount moves. It is proven with payslips, an employment contract, client contracts or bank statements for the last six months.
- A passport valid at least 3 months beyond the planned stay
- Health insurance valid in Slovenia
- Proof of accommodation in Slovenia
- A criminal record certificate
- No grounds for refusal under article 55 of the Aliens Act
The condition people skim past: the law requires that neither you nor your employer or client earn income or provide services in Slovenia. So it is not only your side that is checked. If the company you work for sells in Slovenia, the grounds are in doubt even when you personally never touch Slovenian clients.
Duration and limits of the status
The permit is issued for a maximum of one year and is not extended. You may reapply six months after it ends — and those six months must be spent outside Slovenia.
Family: your spouse and children can move with you on permits of their own. You will need to prove your income covers the whole family. Note that family members likewise cannot work for Slovenian companies.
Taxes: the key difference from Croatia
We handle both countries regularly, and clients compare them by the income threshold. But that is not the decisive difference. Croatia has an income tax exemption written into the law. Slovenia has no such exemption.
What that means in practice. Spend more than 183 days a year in Slovenia and you become a tax resident — liable for Slovenian tax on your worldwide income at progressive rates. And since the permit runs exactly a year, living it out means crossing that threshold for certain.
Hence the paradox: Slovenia's entry threshold is lower than Croatia's, while the final cost can be noticeably higher.
- Income threshold: Croatia about €3,620, Slovenia from €3,120
- Duration: Croatia up to 18 months, Slovenia up to 12
- Extension: neither country allows one
- Break before reapplying: 6 months; in Slovenia's case, outside the country
- Income tax on foreign earnings: Croatia 0% by law, Slovenia ordinary rates once you are a tax resident
Slovenia wins on the entry threshold and on quality of life. Croatia wins on duration and on tax. Which matters more depends on how much you earn and how long you intend to stay. We will work through your situation in numbers and say which option is better for you — even if it is not the one you were looking at.
How to apply
Two routes. The classic one: filing at a Slovenian embassy or consulate abroad. The second: arriving on a Schengen visa or visa-free and filing on the spot at the administrative unit (Upravna Enota). That works for those staying in Slovenia lawfully.
Which route fits you depends on where you are now and what status you hold. We will work it out in conversation.
Processing usually takes several weeks. You will need to appear in person for biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph. The state fee starts at €102.