Moving to Slovenia

Located in the Balkans, with Italy to the west and Austria to the north, Slovenia will captivate you with its majestic mountain ranges, perfect for skiing in winter, and a stunning coastline that basks in plenty of sunshine during summer.

Moving here, you’ll find a country characterised by transition. As a former part of communist Yugoslavia, Slovenia declared independence in 1991 and joined the European Union in 2004. Fortunately, the country escaped much of the violence that disrupted other Balkan states in their pursuit of independence. Despite its small size, it offers a wide variety of terrains, a varied history, and a diverse culture with many languages spoken within its borders.

Living in Slovenia

An impressive array of attractions awaits you in Slovenia. You’ll find elaborate churches, hundreds of castles, thousands of miles of hiking trails through the mountains, plentiful forests, vineyards, beaches, and ski resorts. The country also boasts a number of breathtaking lakes, such as the gorgeous glacial Lake Bled, which features a famous church-topped islet and a cliffside medieval castle.

At the crossroads of historical European trade routes, Slovenia is a high-income country. You’ll find many opportunities in the trade and export industry, notably car production, with two-thirds of the population employed in services. The country aims to protect investors and foreign capital, making it a fertile ground for business endeavours.

Accommodation in Slovenia is quite affordable. Closer to city centres, the housing becomes more expensive, but even here, property prices aren’t exorbitant. Housing in rural areas tends to be older than in big cities. The accommodation market consists of new builds, resale properties, and renovation and development projects, offering a range of options.

Public transport in Slovenia is reasonably extensive, well-organised and reliable. You can hop on a train to travel between cities or even internationally. Buses are also available for transport between cities, and there are several bus routes inside the major cities. To use the public transport systems, you will need an Urbana card – a pass that allows quick and cash-free payments for transport, cable-car rides to Ljubljana Castle, parking fees, and even at the Ljubljana City Library.

Slovenia offers its residents state-funded reductions on medical payments. You are often still required to make co-payments for treatment. Private healthcare is also an option, and many prefer this route.

Cost of living in Slovenia

Despite Slovenia maintaining relatively high taxes, its capital city, Ljubljana, is not prohibitively expensive. According to the 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, Ljubljana is ranked as the 117th most expensive city for expats out of 226 cities surveyed globally. This ranking places Ljubljana just above Montreal, Canada and just below Harare, Zimbabwe, indicating its position roughly in the middle of the pack on a global scale.

The majority of Slovenia’s inhabitants live in urban areas, particularly Ljubljana. However, with a population of just over 2 million across the whole country, you can expect plenty of greenery and picturesque backdrops instead of a concrete urban sprawl.

Families and children in Slovenia

If you’re moving to Slovenia with your family, there are a handful of good international schools, particularly in Ljubljana, offering the International Baccalaureate, French and British curricula. EU and British citizens can easily purchase property in Slovenia.

The country’s compact size means you can soak up some sun on the beach in the morning, enjoy a glass of wine at a castle vineyard at lunchtime and go skiing in the afternoon. Slovenian spas also offer far more than just relaxation for adults. With slides, thermal pools and wave pools, your little ones will have no excuse to be bored.

Climate in Slovenia

The climate in Slovenia varies dramatically depending on the area: Mediterranean on the coast, continental in the interior, and Alpine in the mountains. The country tends to have warm summers and cold winters, with the most rain in October and November.

Picturesque and relatively untouched, Slovenia is perfect for adventurous expats like you, looking to take advantage of the country’s stunning coastline, imposing mountain ranges and beautiful lakes. With welcoming people, a low cost of living and plenty to do, you’ll likely live happily here.

Fast facts

Population: Around 2.1 million

Major religions: Catholicism, Islam, Christianity

Capital city: Ljubljana (and largest city)

Legal system: Parliamentary republic

Main languages: Slovenian, Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Hungarian

Time: GMT+1 (GMT+2 from late March to late October)

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Plugs: Type C and F. Type C plugs have two round pins, and Type F plugs are similar but have two earth clips on the side for grounding.

Currency: Euro (EUR)

International dialling code: +386

Emergency numbers: 112

Internet domain: .si

Driving and transport: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.