How to get Slovenia’s new digital nomad visa (launching late 2025)

Slovenia is stepping into the digital nomad visa arena, joining the growing list of countries courting remote workers. Famed for its Alpine peaks, stunning lakes (hello, Lake Bled!) and fairy-tale villages, this Central European gem is now eyeing global freelancers and remote employees as part of its future. The government has approved a new one-year “digital nomad” residence permit slated to launch in late 2025, aiming to grab a slice of the booming remote-work pie. Over 60 countries worldwide have special visas for digital nomads, and Slovenia doesn’t want to be left behind. In fact, officials amended the Aliens Act this year to introduce a digital nomad visa category, positioning Slovenia as a “safe, high-quality and well-connected” base for international professionals. Here’s what I’ve got so far about this new entrant in the remote-work visa race.

What Slovenia’s digital nomad visa offers

Now that the plan is official (passed into law in May 2025 and set to kick off in November 2025), I have a good picture of the key features and perks of Slovenia’s digital nomad visa:

• 12-month, multiple-entry residency: Slovenia’s digital nomad visa will function as a temporary one-year residence permit, allowing you to live in the country and come and go freely during that period. Because it’s a residency status, you won’t need to constantly reapply for entry; you can travel in and out of Slovenia (and even around Europe – more on that below) with ease. However, note that the permit is strictly non-renewable – after the 12 months are up, you’ll have to spend at least 6 months outside Slovenia before applying for a new nomad permit. This is by design, to keep it a truly temporary stay program (much like neighboring Croatia’s policy). So you can’t continuously live in Slovenia for multiple years on this visa, but you can potentially come back again after a half-year break if you really love that Slovenian life.
• Bring your family along: One big draw is that Slovenia is making it easy to relocate with your partner and kids. Immediate family reunification is allowed for digital nomads – meaning your spouse or recognized partner, as well as dependent children, can obtain residence permits to join you right away, with no waiting period. This is a perk not all nomad visas offer (many countries require the main applicant to be settled first). In Slovenia’s case, once your nomad visa is approved, your family members can apply for their own visas in tandem. They’ll get permits of the same duration as yours. Keep in mind that family members are under the same restriction of no local employment – they can live, study, and enjoy Slovenia, and even work remotely for foreign employers, but they cannot take up jobs with Slovenian companies on these permits. It’s a great option for digital nomad couples or families who want an adventure together in Europe. (And yes, if you’re single that’s fine too – family inclusion is optional!)
• Full resident amenities: Digital nomad visa holders will enjoy essentially the same rights as other temporary residents in Slovenia (apart from working locally). This means you can open a bank account, get a local SIM card, rent accommodation long-term, buy or lease a car, and generally integrate into everyday life. You’ll have an official residence card, making it straightforward to sign contracts and access services. Slovenia is a modern EU country, so expect reliable infrastructure – from efficient public transport to high-speed internet and quality healthcare (you will be required to have health insurance, see below). In short, you get to live like a local for a year – all while retaining your foreign job.
• High quality of life, low costs: Part of Slovenia’s pitch to nomads is its “vibrant, connected and affordable” lifestyle. The cost of living in Slovenia is notably lower than in Western European countries like Italy or Austria, yet you get many of the same benefits: safety, cleanliness, great infrastructure. The capital Ljubljana boasts plenty of co-working spaces and a lively cultural scene, while smaller cities (Maribor, Celje, Koper, etc.) offer laid-back environments with good family facilities and fast internet. English is widely spoken by the younger population, making communication easy. From the Alps to the Adriatic coast, Slovenia packs stunning diversity into a small territory – so your off-hours can be filled with skiing, hiking, wine-tasting in the countryside, or swimming in mountain lakes. The government has indicated it will continue improving digital infrastructure and co-working amenities to cater to remote workers, but frankly Slovenia is already quite up to speed by European standards. All of this makes it a very attractive base for a nomadic professional seeking a balance of work and play.
• No local taxes break (plan your stay): One thing to be aware of is taxation. Unlike some digital nomad visas around the world that explicitly offer tax-free stays, Slovenia’s program does not come with special tax exemptions – you’ll fall under the normal tax rules. What does that mean? If you reside in Slovenia for more than 183 days in a year, you’ll likely be considered a tax resident, and subject to Slovenian income tax on your worldwide income. Slovenia’s income tax rates are progressive and can be as high as ~50% for high earners, so this is not a trivial matter. However, if you stay less than 183 days or maintain your primary tax residency elsewhere, you’d typically be a non-resident for tax purposes and only owe Slovenian tax on any Slovenia-sourced income (which, by design, you won’t have if you’re obeying the no-local-work rule). In practice, many digital nomads limit their stays or use tax treaty provisions to avoid double taxation. The key point: Slovenia isn’t advertising a tax holiday for nomads (in contrast, for example, Croatia waived income tax for its digital nomads during their 1-year stay). So, you should plan accordingly and maybe get advice on your specific situation. The upside of the visa’s 1-year limit is that you can’t stay perpetually anyway – it forces a break which may help avoid establishing tax residency in back-to-back years. In any case, be prepared to handle your own taxes; the flat 5% deals some other countries offer aren’t on the table here, but Slovenia’s many charms might well compensate for that in your equation.
• Remote-work only (no Slovenian employment): This visa is strictly for remote work – you cannot be employed by a Slovenian company or conduct business locally. The law explicitly states that neither the foreign national nor their employer/contracting entity can receive income from within Slovenia or engage in sales/services in Slovenia. In plain terms, you must work online/remotely for clients or an employer based abroad. This is pretty standard for digital nomad visas, but Slovenia emphasizes it – if you break this rule (say, take up a local job or start selling to local customers), you risk your permit being revoked and possible penalties. The bright side is you don’t need a work permit or Slovenian sponsor at all; as long as your income comes from outside, you’re good. Just keep your freelance or employment gigs strictly international. (Your spouse or partner, if they join you, is under the same restriction – they can work remotely for overseas companies, but can’t seek local Slovenian employment either.) Essentially, Slovenia wants you to bring your foreign income and spend it locally, boosting tourism and the economy, without displacing local jobs – a win-win if everyone follows the rules.

Who can apply?

Slovenia’s digital nomad visa is aimed at the typical “location-independent” professional from outside the EU. The eligibility criteria have been defined in the law and are comparable to other countries’ nomad visa requirements. Here are the key requirements to qualify:

• Non-EU/EEA citizenship: This program is for third-country nationals – i.e. people not from the EU or EEA. If you hold an EU/EEA passport (or Swiss), you already have the right to live and work in Slovenia without a visa, so you wouldn’t need this. But if you’re from the US, Canada, UK, India, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, etc., and not also an EU citizen, you’re eligible to apply. There’s no list of specific countries – it’s open worldwide, as long as you require a visa to reside in Slovenia. (Do note that citizens of some countries will need entry visas to physically come to Slovenia to activate the permit, but the nomad visa itself can be sought by any nationality meeting the conditions.)
• Remote worker status: You must work remotely using digital communication tools and do so exclusively for businesses or clients outside Slovenia. This can take one of three forms: (a) you’re employed by a foreign company and working remotely for them; (b) you’re an independent contractor or freelancer with foreign clients; or (c) you’re self-employed abroad (running your own business that serves markets outside Slovenia). Any of those are fine. You just can’t be on a local Slovenian payroll or servicing local Slovenian clients. You’ll have to attest to this and provide evidence (like a work contract, client agreements, or business registration) as part of the application. The idea is to attract digital workers who can perform their job from anywhere, not to give you access to the Slovenian labor market.
• Sufficient income (financial means): Applicants need to show they have a stable, adequate income to support themselves (and any accompanying family) while in Slovenia. The benchmark set by the government is at least twice the average monthly net salary in Slovenia. As of mid-2025, the average net salary in Slovenia is around €1,550 per month, so the income requirement would be roughly €3,100 net per month (this figure will be updated based on the latest official salary stats). This could be in the form of salary, freelance earnings, or other consistent income. You’ll likely need to submit proof such as payslips, bank statements, contracts or invoices to demonstrate you meet this threshold. If your income is a bit volatile but you have substantial savings, it might help to show your savings as well, though the law specifically frames it as monthly income. Compared to some other nomad visas, €3.1k/month is on the higher side – for instance, Croatia’s requirement is about €2,300/month, and Portugal’s is around €2,800/month (for a single applicant). Slovenia’s minimum is tying to national averages, so it’s ensuring nomads have an income well above local average. For many tech or finance remote workers this will be fine, but it’s something to budget for. Important: if you plan to bring a spouse or children, be prepared that you may need additional income or savings to cover them. Slovenia hasn’t stated a separate higher amount for family, but typically you must show you can support each family member. At the very least, you’d need to prove you can cover your whole family’s cost of living on your income.
• Health insurance: You must have health insurance coverage valid in Slovenia for the duration of your stay. Specifically, the law requires coverage for at least emergency healthcare services in Slovenia. In practice, this means you should obtain an international travel medical insurance or expat health insurance plan that covers at least €30,000 in emergency medical expenses, including repatriation (this €30k figure is the standard Schengen visa requirement for medical coverage). Some nomads opt for specialized digital nomad insurance plans which would fulfill this. You’ll need to show a policy document or insurance letter when applying. Once in Slovenia, you could also explore joining the public healthcare system or buying local insurance if you wanted fuller coverage, but initially a foreign health policy is the way to go. Don’t skimp on this – it’s mandatory, and also just wise to have health coverage while abroad.
• Valid passport: Your passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months beyond the end of your intended stay. This is a standard requirement – essentially, a passport validity of 15+ months at time of application (because you plan to stay 12 months, plus 3 extra). Make sure your passport isn’t about to expire or you might have to renew it before applying.
• Clean background: While Slovenia hasn’t confirmed the exact paperwork yet, most digital nomad visas require you to provide police clearance certificates from any country you’ve lived in over the past five years. It’s likely Slovenia will follow suit. You’ll probably need to get the documents apostilled, and in some cases, official translations may be required too. The authority that issues your criminal record (e.g. ACRO in the UK) can tell you where to get it legalised. Minor offences like traffic fines aren’t usually an issue – this is more about serious criminal history or prior immigration violations.
• No EU/EEA residence status: If you already hold a residence permit in Slovenia or another EU country, you likely won’t be eligible – this visa is designed for people who currently need a visa to live in Slovenia.There’s no mention of any caps or quotas, and there are no nationality restrictions (as of yet) beyond excluding EU/EEA citizens. Slovenia appears to be taking an open, inclusive approach: if you meet the criteria and work remotely for a non-Slovenian employer, you can apply. Approval is still at the discretion of immigration officials, but if you tick all the boxes, your chances look good.

How to apply

So, how will one actually get this visa? As of now (mid-2025), the legal framework is in place and the official launch date is November 21, 2025 for accepting applications. That gives the Slovenian authorities a few months to set up the application process and portal. Here’s what I know so far and what you can expect when applications open:

• Application channels: You will be able to apply from abroad at a Slovenian embassy/consulate, or in Slovenia at a local administrative office (if you are already legally in Slovenia). According to the law, first-time applications must be submitted in person or by post – there isn’t an official fully online application yet in mid-2025, but Slovenia may introduce some online components. The simplest route for most people will be to contact the nearest Slovenian embassy or consulate in your country (or region) and submit your application through them. If you’re already in Slovenia under a different visa or visa-free entry, you can apply at the local “Administrative Unit” (Upravna enota) office; upon applying, they will issue you a certificate that serves as a temporary permit so you can legally remain in Slovenia while the decision is pending. This is helpful – it means if you come as a tourist and then decide to switch to a nomad permit, you won’t have to exit the country during processing (as long as you apply before your tourist stay expires).
• Required documents: While the exact document list will be confirmed closer to launch, based on the requirements I know, you should prepare the following: passport (valid 15+ months) and copies; proof of remote work (employment contract from foreign employer, or client contracts/business registration if self-employed); proof of income (bank statements, payslips – showing you meet the €3,100/month threshold); health insurance policy covering Slovenia; criminal record certificate (background check); passport-sized photo (per biometric requirements); and the application forms (which will likely be provided by the embassy or downloadable). You may also need to show proof of accommodation address in Slovenia (some visas require you to indicate where you intend to stay – at least an initial address or hotel booking). Additionally, be ready to prove your relationship to any dependents coming along (marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificates for kids, etc.). The Slovenian authorities will hopefully publish a detailed checklist, but it never hurts to start gathering these common documents in advance. Just remember that these visa applications are rarely a walk in the park and if you’re one of the earlier people to apply, expect teething issues.
• Fees: The government hasn’t announced the fee yet, but typically Slovenian temporary residence permits cost around €70–100 in state fees. There might be an application fee plus a fee for the residence card. For example, Croatia charges about €80 for its nomad permit. We can expect something in that ballpark for Slovenia (to be confirmed). If applying via an embassy, there could be an extra visa handling fee. Keep an eye out for the official fee announcement as November approaches.
• Timeline: The visa regulations come into effect on 21 Nov 2025, and presumably that’s when they’ll start processing applications. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible once the window opens if you’re in a hurry, as initial processing times are unknown – it could take a few weeks to a couple of months for approval, depending on how many applications flood in and how ready the system is. The law doesn’t specify a maximum processing time, but generally, residence permits can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days (just an estimate). If you’re keen to be in Slovenia by, say, December 2025 or January 2026, be prepared to file your application in late November and exercise some patience. Because this is a new category, I anticipate there might be a bit of a learning curve for the officials and applicants alike, so some cases might experience slight delays at first. By 2026, it should smooth out.
• Post-approval: If you applied from abroad, once your visa is approved you will likely be issued a D visa or entry visa to come to Slovenia to collect your residence permit card. When you arrive, you’ll register your address and pick up the physical temporary residence card (an ID card that shows your permit type as “digital nomad”). If you applied in-country, you’ll already be there and will just receive the residence permit. In either case, once you have the card in hand – congrats, you’re officially a Slovenian resident for the next year! Mark your calendar for the permit’s expiration date; remember, no renewal means that by that date in 2026 you’ll need to depart. (However, the rule that you can reapply after 6 months means you could plan a return in mid-2027 if you want to do it all again.)
• Getting updates: The Slovenian Ministry of Interior (which handles immigration) is expected to release guidance and perhaps a dedicated webpage for the Digital Nomad Visa with all relevant info. As of writing, much of what I know comes from the legal text and government statements summarized in the media. Keep an eye on the official Slovenia immigration (Interior Ministry) website or even Slovenian embassies’ sites for announcements. And of course, I’ll update this guide with any new information that comes out.

Slovenia’s relatively quick turnaround – approving the concept in spring 2025 and aiming to implement by late 2025 – is actually pretty efficient. In comparison, some countries (like Italy and the Philippines) announced digital nomad visa plans and took a year or two to actually launch them, crikey, Peru announced two years ago and seemingly gave up! So, kudos to Slovenia for moving fast. They’ve likely taken inspiration from Croatia’s successful nomad visa and other established programs, which should help in setting up a user-friendly application process. If you’re planning to apply, use the lead time now to ensure your documents (especially proof of income and background check) are in order. By the time November rolls around, you could be among the first to snag a Slovenian nomad visa and be on your way to enjoying life in beautiful Slovenia!

Other digital nomad visas to consider

Slovenia’s new scheme is exciting, but it’s one of many remote-work visas now available, especially in Europe. In fact, Slovenia is joining a growing club of European nations offering dedicated visas to digital nomads, including Croatia, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece and others. Each country’s program has its own flavor and requirements, so it’s worth comparing if you’re shopping around for the perfect nomad base:

• Nearby alternatives: If your heart is set on the European lifestyle, you have plenty of choices. Slovenia’s neighbour Croatia pioneered the concept in the region with a 1-year “temporary stay for digital nomads”. Estonia was one of the first in Europe – it offers a 1-year Digital Nomad Visa if you earn around €4,500/mo. Germany has the famous “Freiberufler” visa (freelancer residency) which isn’t branded for nomads per se but allows remote freelancers to live in Germany long-term (with tax obligations, of course). Spain launched the Visado para teletrabajadores in 2023, which can lead to multi-year residency (and even has a favourable tax scheme for some high-earning nomads under the Beckham law). Portugal introduced a specific Digital Nomad Visa (distinct from its D7 passive income visa), requiring about €3,280 monthly income, and you can renew it for longer stays. Greece has a nomad visa (around €3,500/mo requirement) and even offers a 50% income tax break for the first few years if you become a tax resident. Malta, Cyprus, Iceland – you name it, they’ve got something for remote workers. The list in Europe is long and growing.
• Beyond Europe: If you’re open to other parts of the world, there’s a whole spectrum of digital nomad visas out there. In Asia, for example, Sri Lanka has a program (one of the few in South Asia, which Nepal will soon join). Thailand now offers a 10-year Long Term Residence visa that remote professionals can use (though it has high income and asset requirements), and they also still have the simpler Smart Visa for 1-4 years. Indonesia is trialling a “second home” visa for 5 years if you bring big financial proof (or you can do recurring 6-month Bali visas). Latin America is catching up too: Brazil rolled out a one-year digital nomad visa in 2022 with relatively easy terms, Costa Rica has the well-known Rentista/nomad visa, Mexico’s Temporary Resident visa can work for nomads (though it’s not a specific nomad program, many use it). Each destination comes with different perks – some offer tax exemptions, some offer longer stays, some require substantial bank savings, others just a stable income.

When choosing a digital nomad visa, think about cost of living, climate, time zones, community, and taxes. Slovenia scores well for natural beauty, safety, and its central European location. It’s more affordable than Western Europe, with a growing (though smaller) nomad scene in places like Ljubljana. The CET time zone works well for Europe and early US hours, but it’s less ideal for Asia-based clients.

If minimising tax is your goal, countries like Croatia, Georgia or Dubai may suit better. But if cultural experience matters more, Slovenia, Spain or Italy might be worth the trade-off. With more governments competing for remote workers, your options are wider than ever.

Many nomads now string together stays – a year here, six months there – and Slovenia fits well into that rhythm. Just be sure to check each country’s tax and visa rules before making the leap.

And finally, always check for updates. Visa rules evolve fast, and Slovenia’s launch shows how quickly the remote work landscape is changing.