Area: 20,273 km²
Residents: 2,064,241 (July 1st, 2016)
Population density: 102 E / km²
Form of Government: Parliamentary republic
System of Government: Parliamentary democracy
Neighboring countries: Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia
Capital: Ljubljana
Official language: Slovene
Regional languages: Italian, Hungarian
Religions:
57% Roman Catholic,
2.5% Muslim,
2.3% Orthodox,
0.9% Protestant
0.1% Jehovah’s Witnesses
Currency: Euro
Telephone area code: +386
Time zone: UTC + 1 CET
UTC + 2 CEST (March to Oct)
In 2020, 109 Germans officially emigrated to the Republic of Slovenia and 62 came back to their homeland. Within the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, 1,461 Germans officially emigrated to Slovenia and 879 moved back to Germany. This Central European country landed on the remarkable 4th place on the satisfaction list of all emigration destinations. In 2020 there were officially 923 Germans living in Slovenia.
The wooded country has quite different landscape forms. Various alpine ranges run in the north-west, the north-east is characterized by low mountain ranges and hill country, in the south-west, with the Adriatic coast and typical karst areas, there is a Mediterranean climate.
Water sports are very popular on the coast as well as on the rivers and lakes. You can go hiking and skiing in the Alps in the east. The country is also known for its unique caves and grottoes as well as its numerous thermal baths.
General travel regulations (up to the corona pandemic)
EU citizens can enter Slovenia with a valid identity card or passport and stay in Slovenia as a tourist for three months without having to register.
If you live in Germany but are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the EU, you must always have proof of your German residence permit in addition to your valid passport. Otherwise, large fines can be incurred.
Immigration, permanent residence, residence permit
People who want to stay in the country for more than 3 months must register with the administrative office responsible for their place of residence before the 3-month period has expired. You either need proof of your place of residence and proof of income or you have to provide evidence of sufficient financial resources (e.g. bank statement).
German health insurances are also valid in Slovenia, and it is advisable to carry the bilingual SI 111 form with you. The green card (car insurance) is not compulsory, but is still recommended.
Labor market
Slovenia grants EU citizens free access to the labor market. A work permit is not required. The small state has solidly restructured its economy from agriculture to industry and services and is considered an economic model country among the young EU members.
According to countryvv, unemployment has fallen (it was around 4.7% in December 2020). Wages have risen, but they have not yet reached Western European levels. The monthly minimum wage is 940.58 euros gross (December 2020). Foreign companies usually pay higher salaries than Slovenian companies – especially for highly qualified employees and managerial staff.
Around 250 German companies have now settled here. One of the most lucrative industries is tourism; he mainly focuses on the Alpine region, the Adriatic Sea and Ljubljana. Although the economic crisis has also had a negative impact on Slovenia, the country is one of the countries in the EU with the lowest unemployment.
The service sector is the most important branch of the economy. Then come the automotive, tools, transport and wood industries. The growth markets include logistics, pharmaceuticals, machines, automation technology, IT and communication technology, furniture / woodworking, household technology, the automotive industry and tourism. Employees and university graduates can take advantage of exchange, study and EU programs.
Language skills: Anyone wishing to work here must be proficient in Slovenian. How well, depends on the activity: Scientists and managers must be able to communicate fluently, with craftsmen and skilled workers sometimes even basic knowledge is sufficient.
Cost of Living and Rent
The cost of living in Slovenia is on average almost 10 percent lower than in Germany.
You need around € 2,872.63 in Ljubljana to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Ljubljana are 16.25% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Ljubljana are 22.36% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Ljubljana are 35.59% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Ljubljana are 14.72% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Ljubljana are 16.77% lower than in Berlin
- Local purchasing power in Ljubljana is 38.60% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Ljubljana (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 10.00 | 6.00-16.00 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 40.00 | 30.00 – 80.00 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.60 | 2.00-3.70 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 3.50 | 2.50-5.00 |
| cappuccino | 1.70 | 1.00-2.30 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 2.20 | 2.00-3.00 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.54 | 1.00-2.00 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.93 | 0.70 – 1.10 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.15 | 0.80-2.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.49 | 1.00-2.00 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.24 | 1.54-3.00 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 10.13 | 5.59-20.00 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 7.45 | 4.00 – 9.90 |
| Beef (1kg) | 9.94 | 7.00-14.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.55 | 0.90-2.50 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.22 | 1.00 – 2.50 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.68 | 1.00-3.00 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 2.50 | 1.50-4.00 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.90 | 0.50 – 1.50 |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.22 | 0.70-2.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.08 | 0.70-2.00 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.69 | 0.30-1.00 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 5.00 | 3.00 – 8.00 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 1.05 | 0.95 – 1.40 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.62 | 1.00-3.00 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education in Ljubljana (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 1.30 | 1.20 – 1.50 |
| Monthly pass | 37.00 | 37.00-40.00 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.00 | 0.89-2.00 |
| Taxi 1 km | 1.00 | 0.80-1.10 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 210.34 | 150.00 – 311.67 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.08 | 0.04-0.15 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 33.40 | 20.00 – 50.00 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 67.24 | 40.00-100.00 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 28.85 | 15.00 – 40.00 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 76.32 | 50.00-100.00 |
| Leather business shoes | 92.93 | 50.00 – 150.00 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 43.09 | 20.83-60.00 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 17.05 | 10.00-20.00 |
| a movie ticket | 7.00 | 5.00 – 9.00 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 386.78 | 250.00 – 600.00 |
| International primary school per year and child | 9,306.25 | 5,500.00 – 13,000.00 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Ljubljana (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 617.88 | 500.00 – 750.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 468.97 | 350.00 – 600.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,133.33 | 900.00 – 2,000.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 834.50 | 685.00 – 1,200.00 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 3,761.76 | 3,000.00 – 4,500.00 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 2,830.62 | 2,200.00 – 3,500.00 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 1,225.86 | – |
Emigration and Living in Slovenia
Attractive and varied nature, an up-and-coming economy and low unemployment make this country interesting. However, it is not that easy to learn the national language Slovenian. However, many Slovenians speak some German. Other advantages of the country: easy immigration, high immigrant satisfaction, peaceful, lots of forest.
