Single Residence and Work Permit in Slovenia in 2026

Slovenia's single residence and work permit is the main combined route for many third-country nationals who will be employed or perform work in Slovenia.

How the permit works

The Administrative Unit conducts the residence procedure. Where consent is required, the Employment Service of Slovenia (ESS) gives consent ex officio in that procedure. The permit therefore combines residence and labour-market authorisation rather than requiring two unrelated applications.

The first single permit is issued for the duration of the employment or work contract, but for no more than 2 years. A qualifying extension can cover the contract period for no more than 3 years.

During validity, changing jobs, changing employer, working for two or more employers or entering a new work contract may require written approval and ESS consent.

Nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have separate bilateral work-permit rules; their work permit is treated as consent in the single-permit procedure.

Official guidance: Single Residence and Work Permit.

Related: Slovenia immigration hub, methodology, and the legal disclaimer.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Slovenia