Slovenia is a beautiful country situated in central Europe. It’s known for its mountains, forests, lakes, stunning architecture and its fascinating history. Slovenia’s 47kms of coastline on the Adriatic offers everything you could wish for, from excellent restaurants to a large selection of water sports. Slovenia has a lot to offer both expats and tourists.
If you are considering moving to Slovenia, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of central Europe.
Quick Slovenia Facts:
- Population: 2,079,703 (2023 estimate)
- Official Language:Slovenian is the official language in Slovenia. Other languages spoken in Slovenia, include English, German, and Croatian.
- GDP Per Capita: US$25,190 (2023 estimate)
- Protected land: Over half of Slovenia is protected by the government. It is considered the greenest country in Europe. Forest covers 54% of the country.
- Currency: Euro (€). As of October 2022, £1 = €1.13, US$1 = € 1.02, $1 CAD = €740618, $1 AUD = €0.654864
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Slovenia
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Slovenia from other countries in Europe and around the world.
You can also hire moving companies in Slovenia here.
2. Slovenia Housing Costs
Slovenia has a good selection of housing. From studios to farmhouses and everything in between. Ljubljana and the coastal areas are the most expensive places to live but still very affordable compared with many countries around the world.
Monthly Rental Prices in Slovenia
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €350 – €800
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €300 – €615
- 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €700 – €1,500
- 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €500 – €1,200
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €1,900 – €5,000
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €1,488 – €3,500
Slovenia Housing Cost Comparison
This is how rents in Slovenia compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 77.3% more expensive
United States is 177.9% more expensive
Canada is 44.5% more expensive
Australia is 129.8% more expensive
France is 40.3% more expensive
Germany is 51.9% more expensive
Spain is 25.9% more expensive
Italy is 19.9% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flat mate: Erasmusu, iRoommates, Housing Anywhere and Globimmo.
- Different areas – different prices. Ljubljana and the coast are the most expensive areas to live in Slovenia. Most of the rural areas, apart from Lake Bled and the ski resorts during the ski season, are much more affordable.
3. Slovenia Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Slovenia has a great selection good restaurants, coffee shops, bars and clubs. The quality and availability of free fish, meat, fruit and vegetables is high and very affordable. Compared with many countries in the world, prices are low while the quality remains high.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €6.50 – €15
- Takeout Coffee: €1.10 – €2.50
- Bottle of Coke: €1.80 – €2.60
- 1L of milk: €0.79 – €1.49
- Loaf of Bread: €0.90 – €3
- 12 Eggs: €1.44 – €3.60
- 1kg Chicken: €4 – €10
- 1kg Beef: €7 – €15
- 1kg Apples: €1 – €2.30
- 1kg White Rice: €1 – €3
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other countries around the world.
- UK restaurants are 54.7% more expensive and groceries are 53.4% more expensive than Slovenia
- US restaurants are 69.3% more expensive and groceries are 61.2% more expensive than Slovenia
- Canadian restaurants are 44.5% more expensive and groceries are 42.8% more expensive than Slovenia.
- Australian restaurants are 62.2% more expensive and groceries are 63.4% more expensive than Slovenia.
- French restaurants are 52.8% more expensive and groceries are 44.1% more expensive than Slovenia.
- German restaurants are 31.2% more expensive and groceries are 15.1% more expensive than Slovenia
- Spanish restaurants are 17.2% more expensive and groceries are 7.8% cheaper than Slovenia.
- Italian restaurants are 40.8% more expensive and groceries are 16.1% more expensive than Slovenia.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Slovenia has a variety of supermarkets and locally owned food stores. The farmers’ markets are definitely worth and visit both for variety of produce and price. There are also health food shops selling organic foods. Popular supermarkets in Slovenia are: Mercator, Spar, Leclerc, Lidl, and Asia Supermarket.
- Find Cheap Eats: Eating out in Slovenia is very affordable compared with most countries. However, if you want to save even more money, then have a look at the following sites: In Ljubljana, Like a Local, Wanderlog, Tripadvisor, and Klobasarna.
4. Slovenia Alcohol Costs
Socialising with a glass in your hand is part of the Slovenian culture. Bar, clubs, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels sell a good variety of European alcoholic drinks, including Slovenian wines and beer.
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €2 – €3.90
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.30 – €5
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €0.99 – €2
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1 – €3
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4 – €9
How to drink for less in Slovenia
- Keep an eye out for online offers, plus adverts in the local papers and flyers for cheap drinks, either in supermarkets or in bars, clubs and restaurants.
- Slovenian wines, beer and spirits are generally the cheapest.
- Have a look at the following sites to see where to go for cheaper drinks: Trip Advisor, Housing Anywhere and Wanderlog.
5. Slovenia Transportation Fares
Slovenia has a good public transport system which consists of buses and trains. You can use both to travel internally and to visit other European countries. The bus network will take you to remote areas whereas the train system only goes to the major towns.
Bus tickets can be bought at most newsstands and tobacco shops or directly from the driver. Train tickets can be bought at the station ticket office and, if that is closed, you can purchase a ticket on the train. Note that your ticket price will double is you try and buy a ticket on the train and the ticket office is open.
Note that each town has its own Oyster Card equivalent. Have a look here for detailed information.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- One-way Ticket (Local Transport) – €1.2 – €2
- Monthly Pass (Regular Price) – €20 – €60
- Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) – €1 – €3
- Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) – €0.95 – €2
How to save money on public transport in Slovenia
- Buy a Slovenian Rail Pass which gives you discounted travel on both buses and trains
- Buy a bike. Cycling is extremely popular in Slovenia
6. Cost of Internet in Slovenia
The internet in Slovenia isn’t particularly fast and has a reputation for being unreliable and even non-existent in rural settings. The most popular ISPs in Slovenia include:
- Telekom Slovenije – €24.90 per month for 50Mbps
- Telemach – €29.90 per month for 100Mbps
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
The eastern parts of Slovenia have a continental climate with warm to hot summers and average highs of 30C. July is the hottest month. Winters are cold in these regions with temperatures in the mountains plummeting to well below freezing. January is the coldest month.
Slovenia’s coastline enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers (22C) and cool winters. Most of Slovenia’s annual rainfall occurs during the spring in the interior regions. The average rainfall varies from 800mm to 3,000mm depending on the region.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €40 – €100
- Summer Dress: €15 – €80
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €50 – €119.99
- Business Shoes: €50 – €150
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €64
- Deodorant: €3.55
- Shampoo: €2.96
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €1.14
- Gym membership: €25 – €60 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €5.6 – €9
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Slovenia
The roads in Slovenia are well maintained and make driving around the country a pleasure. You can drive on your own country’s driving licence for up to 90 days or on an International Driving Licence for 12 months, after which you’ll need to get a Slovenian driving licence.
Buying a car or reregistering your existing car in Slovenia is a fairly simple process.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Slovenia:
- Volkswagen Golf:€20,000 – €25,410
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):€1.25 – €1.75
- Other fees: The average monthly cost of owning and running a small, four-seater car in Slovenia is €325, which includes servicing, insurance, road tax and depreciation.
Ways to save money driving in Slovenia
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, Sharengo, and Sharengo.
- Taxis are a cheaper option if you’re planning on parking all day. Try Uberand Rideguru
9. Taxes in Slovenia
Individuals in Slovenia are taxed on their personal income at progressive rates, ranging from 9% to 50%. The first €7,850 of annual income is exempt from tax. Residents of Slovenia are liable for income tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents are only taxed on their Slovenian-source income.
Capital gains arising from the sale of shares or other financial assets are subject to capital gains tax at a rate of 10%. Slovenia has a standard VAT rate of 22%, which is applied to most goods and services. There are reduced rates of 9.5% and 5% for certain items such as food, books and pharmaceuticals. SPOT is a government website which will give you detailed information on the various taxes payable in Slovenia.
10. Flight Costs from Slovenia
If you do make the move to Slovenia, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2023:
Other Slovenia Relocation Tips
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Slovenia but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Slovenia Alone
Moving is always a stressful time but moving on your own can be exceptionally difficult. Slovenia’s friendly people, the glorious countryside, mountains and towns will ensure you settle quickly. Here are a few tips about settling in Slovenia.
- Meetups:Slovenia has many Meetup groups covering a wide range of activities from hiking to architecture.
- Attend local events: There is always something going on in Slovenia and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration: Slovenia, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, Earth Trekkers, Wander-Lush, and Travel Melodies.
12. Moving to Slovenia with a Family
Slovenia has a lot to attract families. There are museums, parks, national parks, art galleries, music, the beach, swimming, water sports and, of course, skiing in the winter. The countryside is beautiful and there are many small towns and villages to explore.
- New parents (or parents to be):Check out Family Support Programs, The Human Safety Net, and International Step by Step Association for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents to be.
- Live in a family friendly area:Everywhere in Slovenia is family friendly. Most people live in Ljubljana as that is where the jobs are and you can guarantee a good wi-fi connection.
- Find things to do with the kids:Slovenia has lots for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Mummy Travels, Chasing the Donkey, and Inspirock.
13. Moving to Slovenia for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
There are positions available in most sectors but particularly education, healthcare, finance, hospitality and tourism, vehicle maintenance and construction.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can check out salary ranges on sites such as Payscale and Salary Explorer.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Slovenia, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Indeed, Glassdoor, and Jobboard Finder. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Slovenia from Australia
There are a few Aussies living in Slovenia. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Slovenia, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Slovenia is 382 times smaller than Australia, with 22 million fewer people living there.
- Join expat groups:MeetUp, Internations and Expat offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Slovenia.
15. Moving to Slovenia from Canada
There are a handful of Canadians living in Slovenia. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size:Slovenia is 493 times small than Canada and has 36.1 million few inhabitants.
- Expat groups:Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Internations and Expat.
16. Moving to Slovenia from the United Kingdom
There’s a relatively large group of Brits living and working in Slovenia. If you’re considering moving to Slovenia, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: Slovenia is approximately 12 times smaller than the UK and has 65.7 million fewer people living there.
- Expat groups:If you want to get together with others from the UK who are enjoying the weather, then go to InterNations and Meetup.
Read our full guide on moving to Slovenia from the UK.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Slovenia you can start by comparing moving quotes here.