Glossary
Samozaposlitev (single permit for self-employment)
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In short
Samozaposlitev (self-employment) as a residence ground is a single permit for people who work for themselves in Slovenia, usually as an s.p.; it needs no consent from the Employment Service (ZRSZ). The main condition: 1 year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia; not needed if you are registered for a samostojna poklicna dejavnost (independent professional activity).
Key figures
- Prior residence
- 1 year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia; not needed if you are registered for a samostojna poklicna dejavnost (independent professional activity)Legal basis: ZTuj-2, 37.b člen; ZZSDT, 15. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- ZRSZ consent
- not needed for issue or renewalLegal basis: ZZSDT, 15. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Conditions
- a valid passport, health insurance, sufficient means of subsistence, a criminal record certificate and a registered self-employment in Slovenia or proof of the intended registrationLegal basis: ZTuj-2, 33. in 37.b člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Actual activity
- the permit depends on real business activity: weak evidence of activity is a common reason for refusal or non-renewal; stopping the activity must be reported to the upravna enotaas of 10 October 2026 · source
- First permit and renewals
- up to 2 years, renewals up to 3 yearsLegal basis: ZTuj-2 (ZTuj-2I) · as of 14 June 2026 · source
- State fee: single permit
- €70 when filed in Sloveniavia an embassy €102 plus a D visa €77Legal basis: ZUT · as of 14 June 2026 · source
- Free access to the labour market
- for holders of permanent residence, of a permit for family reunification with a Slovenian citizen, of a permit for persons of Slovenian descent and some others; they need no work permitLegal basis: ZZSDT, 6. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Consent not tied to an employer
- after 30 months of work in Slovenia within the last 3 years, or 20 months within the last 24 with education of at least SOK level 4; you can then work for any employer or be self-employedLegal basis: ZZSDT, 13. in 14. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Conditions
- Prior residence: 1 year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia; not needed if you are registered for a samostojna poklicna dejavnost (independent professional activity).
- ZRSZ consent: not needed for issue or renewal.
- General conditions: a valid passport, health insurance, sufficient means of subsistence, a criminal record certificate and a registered self-employment in Slovenia or proof of the intended registration.
- ZTuj-2 and ZZSDT set no separate capital or business plan requirement for this permit.
How to apply
- Where: at any upravna enota, in person or through an authorised representative.
- Permit duration: up to 2 years, renewals up to 3 years.
- State fee for a single permit: €70 when filed in Slovenia.
- Important: the permit depends on real business activity: weak evidence of activity is a common reason for refusal or non-renewal; stopping the activity must be reported to the upravna enota.
When you do not need this permit
- Free access to the labour market: for holders of permanent residence, of a permit for family reunification with a Slovenian citizen, of a permit for persons of Slovenian descent and some others; they need no work permit.
- After long employment: after 30 months of work in Slovenia within the last 3 years, or 20 months within the last 24 with education of at least SOK level 4; you can then work for any employer or be self-employed.
- The owner of a d.o.o. who runs it takes another route: a single permit as the company's representative (see poslovodja).
Frequently asked questions
When can a foreigner open an s.p. and get a self-employment permit?
You can enter the register as an s.p. straight away, but the permit has this condition: 1 year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia; not needed if you are registered for a samostojna poklicna dejavnost (independent professional activity).
Do I need capital or a business plan for a self-employment permit?
ZTuj-2 and ZZSDT contain no such requirement. You need the general permit conditions, including sufficient means of subsistence, and proof of real activity.
Can I move to Slovenia straight away as self-employed?
Usually not, because the condition is: 1 year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia; not needed if you are registered for a samostojna poklicna dejavnost (independent professional activity). Until then people live in Slovenia on another basis, such as work or study.
Related terms
- S.p. (samostojni podjetnik, sole trader)
- Normirani s.p. (sole trader with flat-rate expenses)
- Single permit (enotno dovoljenje)
- Upravna enota (administrative unit)
- Prispevki za socialno varnost (social security contributions)
- Free access to the labour market (prosti dostop do trga dela)
- FURS (Financial Administration of Slovenia)
Read more
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.