Glossary

Guarantee and invitation letter (garantno pismo, povabilno pismo)

This text was generated by AI and has not been reviewed by an editor. Every figure shows its law and source. Confirm the conditions for your case at a consultation before deciding.

In short

For a Schengen visa to Slovenia the host provides a garantno pismo (guarantee letter) or a povabilno pismo (invitation letter). A guarantee letter, in which the guarantor covers the guest's costs, is certified and registered at an upravna enota; an invitation letter needs no certification.

Key figures

Two kinds of letter
garantno pismo: the guarantor covers the guest's costs and the letter is certified and registered at an upravna enota; povabilno pismo: an invitation only, no certificationLegal basis: ZTuj-2, 24. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Who can invite
a Slovenian citizen, an EU citizen living in Slovenia, a foreigner with a Slovenian residence permit; for business visits only a company based in SloveniaLegal basis: ZTuj-2, 24. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
If the guarantor is a foreigner
their permit must remain valid at least 3 months after the guest's visa endsLegal basis: ZTuj-2, 24. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
What the guarantor may be asked for
bank statements for the last 3 months, a land register extract or a purchase or lease contract for the homeas of 10 October 2026 · source
Fee to certify a guarantee letter
€5Legal basis: ZUT, tarifna številka 10 · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Stay on a C visa
no more than 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen areaLegal basis: ZTuj-2, 14. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source

Garantno or povabilno pismo

The difference: garantno pismo: the guarantor covers the guest's costs and the letter is certified and registered at an upravna enota; povabilno pismo: an invitation only, no certification.

A guarantee letter is needed when the guest cannot show enough money for the trip and the return. The guarantor also answers for any costs of placing the guest in a detention centre for foreigners and of removal.

Who can invite

  • Hosts: a Slovenian citizen, an EU citizen living in Slovenia, a foreigner with a Slovenian residence permit; for business visits only a company based in Slovenia.
  • If the guarantor is a foreigner: their permit must remain valid at least 3 months after the guest's visa ends.
  • The letter forms are published by Slovenia's Foreign Ministry on gov.si.

How to certify

  • The guarantor signs the guarantee letter and has it certified at an upravna enota, which enters it in the certification register.
  • Certification fee: €5.
  • The guarantor may be asked for: bank statements for the last 3 months, a land register extract or a purchase or lease contract for the home.
  • Send the letter to the guest early, so the consulate has every document before it decides.

Frequently asked questions

Who can write an invitation to Slovenia?

Under the Foreign Ministry's rules: a Slovenian citizen, an EU citizen living in Slovenia, a foreigner with a Slovenian residence permit; for business visits only a company based in Slovenia.

Does the invitation need to be certified?

Only the garantno pismo: it is certified and registered at an upravna enota. A povabilno pismo only needs a signature.

Does an invitation give the right to live in Slovenia?

No. The letter supports the purpose of a C visa trip, and a C visa allows no more than 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.

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.

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