Glossary
Free access to the labour market (prosti dostop do trga dela)
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
Prosti dostop do trga dela is a foreigner's right to be employed, self-employed or work under contracts in Slovenia without consent from the Employment Service (ZRSZ). It covers permanent residents; family members of Slovenian citizens on a family permit; people of Slovenian descent with a permit; international protection holders and their families; temporary protection holders; victims of trafficking and of illegal employment.
Key figures
- Who has free access
- permanent residents; family members of Slovenian citizens on a family permit; people of Slovenian descent with a permit; international protection holders and their families; temporary protection holders; victims of trafficking and of illegal employmentthe right continues during a renewal filed on timeLegal basis: ZZSDT, 6. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Conditions to work for any employer
- at least 20 months of work in Slovenia in the last 24 months with education at SOK level 4 or higher; or 30 months of work in the last 3 years; or studies in Slovenia (SOK level 6 or higher) or a research programme completed in the last 2 yearsno new consent is needed for the same person for 3 yearsLegal basis: ZZSDT, 13. in 14. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Students and family members of foreigners
- may take employment after a ZRSZ labour market check and a labour-market note on the permitLegal basis: ZZSDT, 33. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Full-time work
- employment only full-time, except for foreigners with education at SOK level 7 or higherLegal basis: ZZSDT, 12. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Who has free access
Under ZZSDT: permanent residents; family members of Slovenian citizens on a family permit; people of Slovenian descent with a permit; international protection holders and their families; temporary protection holders; victims of trafficking and of illegal employment.
The right continues while a residence permit is being renewed, if the application was filed on time.
Working for any employer on a single permit
The separate personal work permit (osebno delovno dovoljenje) of the former law no longer exists. A similar freedom comes with a single permit issued on a consent «za zaposlitev, samozaposlitev ali delo»: it lets you work for any employer, under contracts or for yourself.
Conditions: at least 20 months of work in Slovenia in the last 24 months with education at SOK level 4 or higher; or 30 months of work in the last 3 years; or studies in Slovenia (SOK level 6 or higher) or a research programme completed in the last 2 years.
If your permit was not issued for work
- Students and family members of foreigners: may take employment after a ZRSZ labour market check and a labour-market note on the permit.
- The employer reports the vacancy to ZRSZ, and if no suitable unemployed person is registered, ZRSZ issues an information sheet (informativni list).
- A limit for anyone who needs consent: employment only full-time, except for foreigners with education at SOK level 7 or higher.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a work authorisation with permanent residence?
No. Permanent residents have free access to the labour market and work without ZRSZ consent.
Does Slovenia still have a personal work permit?
Not as a separate document. A single permit with a consent «za zaposlitev, samozaposlitev ali delo» lets you work for any employer; conditions: at least 20 months of work in Slovenia in the last 24 months with education at SOK level 4 or higher; or 30 months of work in the last 3 years; or studies in Slovenia (SOK level 6 or higher) or a research programme completed in the last 2 years.
Can my spouse work on a family permit?
The spouse of a Slovenian citizen works without restrictions. Family members of foreigners may take employment after a ZRSZ labour market check and a labour-market note on the permit.
Related terms
- Single permit (enotno dovoljenje)
- ZRSZ consent (soglasje ZRSZ)
- Permanent residence: dovoljenje za stalno prebivanje
- Temporary protection (začasna zaščita)
- Residence permit for a family member of an EU or Slovenian citizen (dovoljenje za prebivanje za družinskega člana)
- ZRSZ (Employment Service of Slovenia)
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.