CITIZENSHIP IN SLOVENIA

Citizenship is a special legal relationship, permanent in its character, which exists between the state and an individual. Based on citizenship, a person acquires the status of a citizen of the country which grants them all the rights of that country but also imposes certain obligations upon them.

The citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia is acquired:

1. By descent,
2. By birth on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia,
3. By naturalization, 
4. According to an international treaty.
   
   

A child acquires Slovenian citizenship by descent if:

1. Both the father and mother are citizens of the Republic of Slovenia at the time of the child’s birth;
2. One of the parents is a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia at the time of the child’s birth, and the child is born in the Republic of Slovenia;
3. At the time of birth, one of the parents is a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia, while the other is unknown or stateless, and the child is born abroad (a child born abroad, with one parent being a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia at the time of birth, and the other a foreign citizen, acquires Slovenian citizenship by birth if registered in the citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia before reaching the age of 18 or if, at the age of 18, the child actually permanently settles in the Republic of Slovenia with the parent who is a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia).

Acquisition of citizenship by birth on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia:

A child born or found on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia acquires Slovenian citizenship if the father and mother are unknown or stateless. At the request of the parents, Slovenian citizenship acquired by birth ceases for the child if it is determined that the parents are foreign citizens before child turns the age of 18. Their citizenship ceases on the day of delivery of the decision.

Acquisition of citizenship by naturalization:

The competent authority may, at its discretion, admit to Slovenian citizenship a person seeking naturalization if it is in the national interest. The person must meet the following conditions:

1. Be at least 18 years old;
2. Have been released from their current citizenship or prove that they will be released if admitted to Slovenian citizenship;
3. Have lived in Slovenia for 10 years, of which the last 5 years have been continuous prior to submitting the application, and have a regulated immigration status;
4. Have guaranteed means of providing material and social security for themselves and dependents;
5. Have a basic knowledge of the Slovenian language for everyday communication, demonstrated by passing an examination in Slovenian language proficiency at a basic level;
6. Not have been sentenced to an unconditional prison term exceeding three months or have been sentenced to a suspended prison term with a probation period exceeding one year;
7. Not have had their residence in the Republic of Slovenia revoked;
8. Not pose a threat to public order, security, or defense of the country by their admission to Slovenian citizenship;
9. Have settled tax obligations;
10. Swear to respect the free democratic constitutional order based on the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia.