Renting housing
For most immigrants, rent is the main expense. In the centre of Ljubljana a one-room flat costs on average €700–1,000 a month plus utilities; outside the centre — €600–800. Two- and three-room flats cost €900–1,500 a month. On the coast and in tourist areas prices are higher.
Utilities (electricity, water, gas, excluding heating) are around €200 in the warm season and €250–300 in winter. If you have your own house, add heating costs — up to €100–200 a month.
Food and household expenses
Food prices depend on the shop — budget (Hofer, Lidl) or more expensive (Mercator, Spar). The average bill for a family of four is €300–350 a week.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Bread | €2.8 |
| Milk (1 l) | €1.20 |
| Eggs (10) | €2 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | €3–10 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €0.9–1.5 |
| Fruit and vegetables (1 kg) | €2–4 |
Household chemicals and small home items come to €30–50 a month. A business lunch at a restaurant costs from €15–20, dinner from €30 per person, a coffee at a café €1.20–2.50.
Children: school, kindergarten, clubs
State schools in Slovenia are free, but meals are paid for separately: breakfast around €20, lunch around €50 a month. Trips and excursions come to €150–500 a year depending on the programme.
State kindergartens cost around €400 a month; private ones are more expensive. Thanks to subsidies, low-income families can pay from €50, and in large families the kindergarten can be free. Additional school clubs and activities are free, while out-of-school lessons — music, sport — cost €20–150 a month.
Transport
In Ljubljana a bus ticket costs €1.30 and is valid for 90 minutes with transfers. A monthly pass is €37, a day ticket €4.50. City bikes are available by subscription: €3 a year lets you ride for 1 hour a day free.
Car-sharing costs €5–10 per trip. The cost of a private car (insurance, fuel) is €50–300 a month depending on mileage and model.
Healthcare
All working residents have basic insurance covering 70% of medical costs. The remaining 30% can be paid yourself or covered by supplementary insurance — around €35 a month, to avoid extra costs. Paid insurance with faster access to doctors costs around €16 a month. Dental services: a filling €50–150, treatment of decay €100–200.
Entertainment and communications
Mobile service costs €10–20 a month depending on the provider and options package. Home internet with TV — €30–60. Entertainment (cinema, museums, concerts) comes to €50–100 a month: a cinema ticket €6–10, a gym membership €40–70.
Total monthly budget
| Who | Indicative budget |
|---|---|
| One person | €1,200–1,500/month |
| Family of 4 | €3,000–3,500/month |
Despite gradual price rises, Slovenia remains an attractive country with a high quality of life and a stable economy. More about the pros and cons of life in the country, salaries and choosing a city is in the article moving to Slovenia. Current prices for arranging the permit itself are on the SLO-WAY pricing page.