The number of companies who want to hire foreign workers in Slovenia has been growing due to the rapidly evolving economic and financial landscape.
In response to this trend, the Slovenian parliament passed laws to simplify the procedure of hiring workers from outside the EU, as reported by Euractiv.
Specifically, the amendments to the Aliens Act are aimed at expediting the processing of work permit applications.
What is particularly significant is the overhaul of the work permit system. Under the new law, third-country nationals are permitted to change employers or jobs with just the approval of the Employment Service.
This change presents opportunities for both local businesses seeking to address staffing shortages and for workers looking to explore new career prospects.
In this article, we break down the legal steps you must take to recruit and employ foreign workers in Slovenia.
How to Hire Foreign Workers in Slovenia 4 Easy-to-Follow Steps
Foreigners from third countries need a single residence and work permit to be able to reside and work in Slovenia. Under the “one-stop shop” approach, they no longer require two different permits, which greatly simplifies the procedure.
However, before proceeding with the work permit application, you should ensure you meet specific requirements.
Let’s examine the required steps in the recruitment process.
Step 1: Check If You Meet the Requirements for Hiring Foreign Workers in Slovenia
Before initiating the process of hiring foreign workers in Slovenia, you must ensure you meet the following requirements:
- You must clear all taxes before the competent authorities approve the permit. So, make sure your company has no tax arrears when initiating the hiring process.
- If your company is not older than 6 months, you must invest at least € 50,000 in fixed assets
- If your company is operating for more than 6 months, you must:
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- Employ at least one other worker for at least 6 months before initiating the international hiring process
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- Generate a monthly income of at least € 10,000 over the past 6 months
Step 2: Conduct a Labor Market Test
The purpose of the labor market test is to confirm the unavailability of local workers to fill the position.
In order to test the market, you must advertise the position to Slovenian and EU nationals. In such circumstances, the Slovenian Employment Agency (ESS) will propose a list of potential candidates from its records, if available.
If none of these candidates are suitable for the position, then you may proceed with international recruiting.
Step 3: Recruit the Right Candidate and Sign an Employment Contract
When advertising the vacancy internationally, you must ensure you pinpoint the right candidates.
That’s why we recommend you post your job ad on VideoWorkers – a completely innovative recruiting platform equipped with a top-tier candidate database.
What makes VideoWorkers truly unique is that it comes with a short skill presentation video for each candidate. This eliminates the need to spend endless hours reviewing resumes, which frequently fail to convey a candidate’s true skills.
Once you’ve found the ideal match, you can proceed to sign an employment contract.
To learn more about the legal prerequisites for employment contracts, you can refer to this link.
Step 4: You or Your Future Employee Apply for a Residence and Work Permit
The application for a work and residence permit can be submitted by either:
- The employer, at the competent administrative unit (“upravna enota”)
- The employee, at the competent Slovenian Diplomatic Mission in their home country
However, even if you submit the application on behalf of your future employee, they will still have to go to the Embassy for fingerprinting.
As part of the application process, the administrative unit will obtain approval from the Slovenian Employment Service for the issuance of the residence and work permit.
Do note that for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, special requirements apply. For these nationals, the Employment Service can directly grant work permit approval (without the involvement of the administrative unit) due to international agreements.
Residence and Work Permit for Slovenia: Required Documents
The required documents for a single permit are as follows:
- Foreigner’s passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended residence in Slovenia
- Photo of foreigner
- Health insurance
- Bank statements as proof of sufficient financial means
- Criminal record
- Employment contract
- Proof of education and professional qualifications
- A signed statement from the employer indicating whether they offer accommodation for the foreign worker or not
- Documents showing the income generated by the company
- Declaration showing the number of employees in the company in the past 6 months
- For employers with less than 6 months of activity: evidence that they have invested a minimum of € 50,000 in the activity
If your future employee applies for a single permit at the Diplomatic Mission, the administrative fee is € 102. Instead, if you apply on behalf of the candidate at the administrative unit, the fee is € 70. Additionally, you will need to pay € 12 for the residence permit card.
The processing time for a single permit varies between 1 and 3 months.
Upon approval of the single permit, the administrative unit will send it to the Diplomatic Mission for the candidate to collect it. Next, they can use the permit to enter Slovenia and start working.
Do note that the Employment Service will initially grant a single permit for up to one year. The single permit can be extended upon request.
Hiring Foreign Workers in Slovenia: Final Considerations
The evolving economic landscape in Slovenia, alongside streamlined procedures for foreign recruitment, offers promising opportunities for both businesses and job-seekers.
The process of hiring foreign workers in Slovenia may seem complex at first glance. However, with the right resources and a clear grasp of the involved steps, you can easily fulfill the legal requirements.
All you need to do is adhere to the legal guidelines and utilize innovative recruitment platforms such as VideoWorkers.
This way, you can effectively bring international talent into your workforce, contributing to the growth and success of your company.