Who may buy property in Slovenia as an individual?

Citizens of EU countries, citizens of OECD countries (including Israel, the USA, Canada, Australia, Turkey), and citizens of EU candidate countries with special approval from the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior.

Can Russian citizens buy property in Slovenia in their own name?

No, Russian citizens cannot register property in Slovenia as an individual. In practice it is bought through a legal entity (a company).

What documents are needed for a permit through real estate?

A certificate of no criminal record with an apostille, marriage/children's birth certificates, travel health insurance from €35,000, a purchase contract, an extract from the Land Register and a bank statement showing available funds.

The short answer

Can you get a Slovenian residence permit through buying or renting property?

Q: Can you get a Slovenian residence permit through buying or renting property?

Buying or renting is not, on its own, a standalone ground for a permit. However, housing can be part of the document package when applying under the drugi utemeljeni razlogi category (Article 51, "other justified reasons").

Buying or renting property is not, on its own, a standalone ground for a residence permit. However, housing can be part of the document package when applying under the drugi utemeljeni razlogi category (Article 51, "other justified reasons").

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Who may buy property as an individual

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EU citizens

Buy property on general terms, with no additional restrictions.

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OECD citizens

Israel, the USA, Canada, Australia, Turkey and other OECD countries — purchase as an individual is allowed.

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EU candidate countries

Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania — with special approval from the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior.

What this means for Russian citizens

Russian citizens, like citizens of a number of other countries, cannot register property in Slovenia as an individual. In practice, property as an investment asset is bought through a legal entity (a company) — a separate scenario with different conditions and documents, see business immigration.

When property becomes a ground for a permit (Art. 51)

A temporary permit under the drugi utemeljeni razlogi category can be issued where there are lawful, documented grounds for residence. These include:

Living in property you own (with proof of ownership and of actually living there)

A long-term housing lease with a valid contract for at least 5 years

Guardianship or a foster family (with supporting documents)

Receiving a pension or benefits — with proof of status and source of income

The decision is made on the totality of the circumstances: it is not enough to state the reason for residence — you have to prove it with documents. For Russian citizens applying on a long-term lease, the chance of refusal on a first application is high — the quality of the justification for the purpose of residence plays the key role.

Stages of a property purchase in Slovenia

Choosing a property

Searching on nepremicnine.net, working with an agent, a guideline of 10–12 m² per person.

Tax number

Obtaining a Slovenian tax number before the transaction.

The transaction at a notary

Checking the documents, drawing up the contract, paying by transfer.

Tax and the land register

Paying the transaction tax (~2%), registering the change in the Land Register — about 2 months.

The transaction can be handled remotely by power of attorney.

Documents and costs

Documents for the permit

Certificate of no criminal record (apostille + translation, no older than 3 months)
Marriage / children's birth certificates (apostille + translation)
Travel health insurance for a year, cover from €35,000
Purchase contract, extract from the Land Register
Bank statement — a guideline of ~€6,000 per family member

Costs

Notary services and document translation
Administrative fee for the permit — ~€75
Health insurance for a year — from ~€200
Transaction tax — ~2% of the property value

The application takes on average around 3 months to review.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a permit by buying or renting property? +

Not on its own. But housing can be part of the document package when applying under the drugi utemeljeni razlogi category (Article 51).

Can Russian citizens buy property in Slovenia? +

Not as an individual. In practice, property as an asset is bought through a legal entity (a company).

Can Russian citizens get a permit on a long-term lease? +

Yes, it is theoretically possible under Article 51, but the chance of refusal on a first application is high — you need to justify the purpose of residence convincingly and gather the full document package.