Education for children in Slovenia: kindergarten and school
5 min readUpdated: 10 October 2026
This text was generated by AI and has not been reviewed by an editor. Every figure shows its source and the date it was checked. Confirm the conditions for your case at a consultation before deciding.
In short
Public kindergartens (vrtec) take children from 11 months, and the fee is 0% to 77% of the programme price, depending on income per family member. Primary school lasts 9 years, compulsory and free; foreign children are enrolled by address and get extra Slovenian lessons.
Key figures
- Kindergarten (vrtec): minimum age
- from 11 monthsprovided the parents no longer take parental leave as full absence from work; enrolment is possible all year round, subject to free placesLegal basis: ZVrt, 20. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Kindergarten fee
- 0% to 77% of the programme price, depending on income per family member9 income classes; the reduced fee is claimed with an application under ZUPJS at the centre for social work (center za socialno delo); the younger of two children attending at the same time and the third and later children are free; parents who are not liable to Slovenian income tax pay the full programme priceLegal basis: ZVrt; ZUPJS · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Primary school (osnovna šola)
- 9 years, compulsory and freechildren start in the calendar year they turn 6; schooling is publicly funded, while meals and some activities are paid separately; all children living in Slovenia are schooled on equal termsLegal basis: ZOsn; Ustava RS, 57. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- School enrolment
- at the school of the school district (šolski okoliš) of the child's registered permanent or temporary addressthat school must enrol the child; another school only if it agrees; first-grade enrolment takes place in February for the next school year, and a child who moves into the district is enrolled later tooLegal basis: ZOsn, 44. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Slovenian classes for immigrant pupils
- an initial Slovenian course from enrolment: in the first year 120 hours for a group of 1 to 4 pupils, more for larger groupsgroups of 5 to 8 pupils get 160 hours, groups of 9 to 17 get 180; the child joins regular lessons gradually as the language improves; this applies to pupils whose mother tongue is not SlovenianLegal basis: ZOsn, 50. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Kindergartens
Public kindergartens (vrtec) take children from 11 months. The fee depends on family income: 0% to 77% of the programme price, depending on income per family member.
The reduced fee is claimed with an application at the centre for social work. Parents who do not pay Slovenian income tax pay the full programme price. Kindergartens focus on learning through play and help children pick up the language quickly.
Primary school
Primary school (osnovna šola): 9 years, compulsory and free. The school depends on your address: a child is enrolled at the school of the school district (šolski okoliš) of the child's registered permanent or temporary address.
Meals and some activities are paid separately.
Settling in and language
Children whose mother tongue is not Slovenian get an initial Slovenian course from enrolment: in the first year 120 hours for a group of 1 to 4 pupils, more for larger groups. They join regular lessons gradually as their Slovenian improves.
Larger cities also have international and private programmes for a gentler transition.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a child go to kindergarten in Slovenia?
Children are accepted from 11 months, provided the parents are no longer on parental leave as full absence from work. You can enrol all year round, subject to free places.
How much does kindergarten cost for foreigners?
The fee is 0% to 77% of the programme price, depending on income per family member. Parents who do not pay Slovenian income tax pay the full programme price.
Is school free for foreign children?
Yes. Primary school: 9 years, compulsory and free, on equal terms for every child living in Slovenia. Meals and some activities are paid separately.
Will my child get help with Slovenian?
Yes, the school must provide an initial Slovenian course from enrolment: in the first year 120 hours for a group of 1 to 4 pupils, more for larger groups.
Terms
Sources
This text was generated by AI and has not been reviewed by an editor.
Updated: 10 October 2026
General information, not individual legal advice. Rules and amounts change: confirm the exact conditions for your case at a consultation.