In 2022, Slovenia received 32 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 10% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 8% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 74% labour migrants, 18% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.6% humanitarian migrants. Around 2 700 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 200 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 27 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 110% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Bosnia and Herzegovina registered the strongest increase (1 200) and Italy the largest decrease (‑100) in flows to Slovenia compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 8%, to reach around 7 200. The majority of applicants came from Morocco (5 700), Algeria (400) and Pakistan (100). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Morocco (5 400) and the largest decrease nationals of Afghanistan (‑1 100). Of the 300 decisions taken in 2023, 44% were positive.
Emigration of Slovenian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑2% in 2022, to 4 500. Approximately 35% of this group migrated to Austria, 24% to Germany and 15% to Switzerland.
In response to labour and skills shortages, Slovenia reformed its immigration legislation in 2023 to remove administrative barriers and streamline immigration processes. Amendments were introduced to the Foreigners Act and the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act to attract and retain labour migrants from outside the EU. The changes to the Foreigners Act simplify the issuance and renewal of temporary residence permits by allowing permit cards to be served by post and enabling fingerprints to be stored for up to five years for permit extensions. Additionally, the amendments facilitate the process of changing jobs or employers, now requiring only approval from the Employment Service. Furthermore, verification of workers’ self-sufficiency conditions will only occur at the time of issuing and renewing work permits, eliminating the need for periodic checks.
Changes have also been introduced to the requirements for knowledge of the Slovenian language in procedures for extending a temporary residence permit due to family reunification for family members of third-country nationals. The requirement of knowledge of the Slovenian language at the entry level A1 is replaced by knowledge at the subsistence level. This condition shall apply in full from November 2024. Each participant in language courses is also entitled to a one‑time free test of knowledge of the Slovenian language.
Amendments to the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act aimed to accelerate labour market integration and facilitate the employment of foreign workers in certain sectors. The time required for applicants of international protection to access the labour market was reduced from nine months to three months. The amendments also ease the hiring process for employers in the health and social care sector.
Additionally, the government announced plans for further amendments to the Foreigners Act, which will include the transposition of the new EU Blue Card Directive into national law and measures to facilitate mobility within EU Member States. Beneficiaries of international protection and seasonal workers will be eligible for an EU Blue Card.
On 21 October 2023, Slovenia reintroduced temporary border controls at its internal Schengen borders with Croatia and Hungary due to an increased threat of terrorism. This measure was later extended several times and is in place through 21 December 2024.
To attract highly skilled entrepreneurs, particularly in the high-tech sector, the Slovenian Government has announced its intention to introduce a start‑up visa as part of its forthcoming start‑up strategy.
The government Working Group to prepare the Migration Strategy of Slovenia, overseen by the Ministry of Interior and comprising different public and civil society actors, met from January 2023. It sent the migration strategy to the government in late March 2024, when it was approved and adopted. The Strategy has four objectives: external action on the causes of migration; legal migration for employment; protection of life and addressing forced displacement; and addressing the potential impact of migration on internal security.
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