Moving to Slovenia from The UK

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom to Slovenia, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Slovenia Facts:

1. Population: 2.108 million (2021 estimate)
2. Official Language: Slovenian (de facto), with English, Italian and German being widely spoken
3. GDP Per Capita: $29,291 USD (2021 estimate)
4. Random Fact: Slovenia is said to be the home of the largest brown bear population in Europe!
5. Currency: Euro (€). As of late 2023, £1 = €1.15, $1 = €0.92, $1 CAD = €0.67, $1 AUD = €0.60

1. Moving Costs to Slovenia from The UK

Here are some sample moving costs to Slovenia from the UK for a small move (1-2 bed flat). Please use the quote form above for more exact pricing.

	London	Manchester	Birmingham	Liverpool
From / To
Ljubljana	£1440.00	£1560.00	£1496.00	£1520.00
Maribor	£1480.00	£1600.00	£1536.00	£1560.00
Koper	£1424.00	£1544.00	£1480.00	£1504.00
Celje	£1400.00	£1520.00	£1456.00	£1480.00

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Slovenia from the United Kingdom?

It is a fairly fast flight from the UK to Slovenia’s main airport, Ljubljana Jože Pučnik, but some flights may need connecting parts so it’s best to check your route thoroughly beforehand to make sure you’re making the most efficient choice. Let’s take a look at some common routes from UK airports:

• London Heathrow to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik – 2 hours, 15 minutes – £120
• London Gatwick to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik – 2 hours, 5 minutes – £80
• Luton to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik – 2 hours, 15 minutes – £120
• Edinburgh to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik – 4 hours, 20 minutes (connecting flight) – £120
  

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Slovenia from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section. 

Your passport must be valid at the time of travel, and be issued less than 10 years before your date of entry to Slovenia. It must have at least 3 months left on the expiry date.

You are able to travel to countries in the Schengen area – an area that allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls, encompassing most EU countries – for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

There are currently no COVID-19 travel restrictions, but it’s advised that you keep up-to-date on any developments to ensure you are abiding by the most recent information at the time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to Slovenia from the UK

Alongside a valid UK passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into Slovenia if you are planning on working in the country. If you are simply travelling through, you are able to enter without a visa as detailed in our previous section concerning the Schengen area.

Your passport must be stamped on entry to keep track of your Schengen area travels. You may also need to show proof of funds to sustain you during your trip, and proof of accommodation or onward travel.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Slovenia

While this article is covering Slovenia as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Slovenia is 35% lower than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 68.5% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in Slovenia:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €750+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €700+
• 3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,300+
• 3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,000+

Slovenia Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €4,700+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: €3,600+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Slovenia

Slovenia has a personal income tax which can range from 16% to 50% depending on your gross income amount, working status and other factors. If your income exceeds a certain threshold, your income tax percentage will change accordingly.

The corporate income tax is 19%, but small businesses with a lower yearly revenue may be able to benefit from a reduced rate. There’s a standard rate of VAT which is 22%, but some specific services and goods can have a reduced rate of 9.5% or 5%.

If you are employed in Slovenia, you will contribute to Social Security. This will help to fund social benefits such as healthcare, pension funds and unemployment benefits where required.

Slovenia has entered into a tax treaty with the UK which prevents double taxation in income. As you’d expect, these figures are subject to change, so it’s important to get the most updated information when it comes for you to travel and work in the country.

7. Working Rules in Slovenia

If you want to work in Slovenia, you need to have a single residence and work permit to enable you to do so legally. To obtain this, either you or your employer will need to apply.

This can then be renewed for a period of two years – after which you will need to re-apply. The permit will cover you for all working circumstances, so you can change your employer during this time and it will still be valid. 

There are special circumstances that will allow you to apply for this permit when you are already in Slovenia. According to the Republika Slovenija’s information for foreigners, these concern:

• Sports coaches, or professional athletes that are registered on the professional athletes register
• A person who intends to enter the priesthood with a registered religious community in Slovenia
• Reporters for foreign media
• A person who demonstrates an economic interest in Slovenia

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes, so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Slovenia

While the UK benefits from the NHS, offering free healthcare to those who need it, as well as elective private healthcare for a fee, in Slovenia, the healthcare is covered by both state and patient contributions.  

Gov.uk says that UK nationals can access the Slovenian healthcare system in a number of ways:

• By paying into the Slovenian national health insurance system, known as ZZZS
• By paying into private health insurance 
• Through the use of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• By registering a UK-issued S1 form with ZZZS

If you are planning on staying and living in Slovenia for an extended amount of time, you’ll need to obtain residency. To do this, you will need to show proof of medical coverage, so it’s important to take out health insurance before travelling to ensure you’re covered in the event of a medical emergency. 

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Slovenia

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Slovenia with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

Gov.uk says that you must ensure that your pet – including cat, dog and ferret – has:

• A microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination
• Animal health certificate or pet passport

It’s important that your pet is deemed fit and healthy to travel at least 10 days prior to your trip to ensure the safety of them during the journey.

10. Similar Cities

The Country Similarity Index says that Croatia is the most similar country to Slovenia. Both being part of former Yugoslavia, their geographical landscapes are similar as well as having historic ties to each other.

Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, the countries share a border and are both situated with a coastline along the Adriatic Sea. This gives both locations a similar Mediterranean influence, both in cultural traditions and in weather conditions.

The languages of both Slovenia and Croatia belong to the Slavic group of languages – and while they are different, there are common similarities which can help individuals to learn both with relative ease.

The two countries are known for their natural beauty, with stunning landscapes being present in both locations. 

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Slovenia from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to Slovenia, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Slovenia	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Slovenia
Scenic Beauty: Slovenia boasts picturesque landscapes, including mountains, lakes and forests	Language Barrier: Slovenian is the official language, and while many Slovenians speak English, language differences can pose challenges in daily life and business interactions
Cultural Richness: Slovenia has a rich cultural heritage, with historical cities like Ljubljana offering a blend of medieval and modern architecture	Limited Job Market: The job market, especially for specific industries, may be smaller compared to larger European countries, and finding employment could be competitive
Strategic Location: Slovenia's central location in Europe allows easy travel to neighbouring countries, making it convenient for exploring the region	Slower Pace of Life: While this can be an advantage for some, others may find the slower pace of life in smaller towns and villages less dynamic than in larger cities
Healthcare System: Slovenia has a well-developed healthcare system, providing accessible and quality medical services	Relatively Small Economy: The size of Slovenia's economy is smaller compared to some Western European countries, which might impact certain aspects of career opportunities and industries

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to take a look at Gov.uk for all the information you need.