Slovenia

Slovenia is both a country of immigration and emigration, with foreign nationals playing a decisive role in population growth. By July 2025, Slovenia’s population reached 2,130,986 persons, of whom 10.2% were foreign citizens. Net migration remained firmly positive in 2024, at 11,532 persons, marking the 26th consecutive year of positive net migration of non-citizens.

According to UN DESA, the immigrant stock stood at 315,122 in 2024, a 13.4% increase compared to 2020, with nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina (138,576) constituting by far the largest group, followed by Serbians (53,729) and Croatians (52,829). Since 2015, immigration flows to Slovenia rose steadily, accelerated further in 2020-2022, and peaked in 2022 at historically high levels (35,613). Although inflows declined in 2023-2024 (around 33,000-34,000), they remain substantially above pre-2015 levels, indicating sustained immigration driven by structural labour demand and crisis-related movements. In 2024, the main reasons for immigration were employment opportunities and family. The biggest groups of immigrants were from Bosnia and Herzegovina (10,120), followed by Kosovo* (3,724) and Serbia (3,222).

The number of first residence permits issued to non-EU nationals in Slovenia peaked at 32,781 in 2022 and declined to 27,378 in 2024, with 57% issued for employment, 31% for family reasons, and 10% for education purposes. Despite lower annual inflows, the stock of valid residence permits continued to expand, reaching 217,086 at the end of 2024 – around 30 % more than in 2020. Most permit holders originate from Bosnia and Herzegovina (107,332), Kosovo* (37,708) and Serbia (24,591).

Labour immigration to Slovenia continues to be dominated by workers from the Western Balkan countries. Slovenia’s demand for foreign labour, combined with regional proximity and cultural ties, is reinforced by bilateral labour agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. In 2023, nearly 17,000 permits were issued under these schemes. A seasonal work agreement with North Macedonia further supports regulated labour mobility across several sectors.

Alongside labour migration, Slovenia has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign students. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the number of international students reached 10,561, representing a 12% year-on-year increase. Most students originated from Serbia, North Macedonia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring Slovenia’s regional educational pull.

Emigration from Slovenia, like immigration flows, has slightly declined in recent years. In 2024, the flow reached 21,491 persons (-4% compared with 2023), 76% of whom were foreign nationals. Slovenian citizens accounted for roughly one quarter of departures in 2024, most of whom moved to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Emigration is primarily motivated by better career prospects abroad and fewer high-skilled opportunities at home. According to UN DESA, the stock of Slovenians abroad stood at 78,808 in 2024, with the largest communities found in Croatia (17,559), Canada (6,412) and Italy (6,049).

In the field of asylum, Slovenia continues to experience high pressure at entry but comparatively low numbers of lodged applications. In 2024, over 44,000 individuals expressed an intention to seek international protection, yet only 5,635 applications were submitted, around 25% fewer than in 2023. Applicants originated mainly from Morocco (63.2%), Algeria (7.6%), and Afghanistan (6.9%). Despite declining applications, Slovenia continues to host a growing refugee population, primarily due to temporary protection for Ukrainians, which has been extended until March 2027. In 2024, Slovenia hosted 12,524 refugees under the UNHCR’s mandate, most of whom were from Ukraine (11,296), Syria (373) and Afghanistan (114). During the same year, more than 7,700 refugees and asylum-seekers received legal, psychosocial and inclusion support. Since February 2022 until early 2025, over 12,000 persons displaced from Ukraine obtained temporary protection in Slovenia.

Irregular migration indicators point to a partial easing of pressure in 2024. After several years of growth, the number of third-country nationals found illegally present fell by nearly one quarter to 46,715. Nationals of Syria (14,930), Afghanistan (7,190) and Türkiye (4,000) accounted for the largest shares. Refusals of entry increased from 735 in 2023 to 2,160 in 2024 but remained below 4,000 recorded in 2020-2022. The top three nationality groups who were refused entry to Slovenia in 2024 were Albanians, Turks and Russians. Return orders issued to non-EU nationals and respective effective returns equally declined, with Turkish nationals making up the largest share of both orders issued and returns carried out.

Slovenia remains both a destination and transit country for trafficking in persons. Vulnerable groups include Slovenian nationals and foreign workers from across the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Asia, who face risks of labour exploitation in sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, transportation, and domestic work, as well as forced begging and servitude. Asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees – especially women and children – are also at heightened risk. In 2024, authorities identified 20 confirmed victims (17 of sex trafficking and three of forced labour) and 37 potential victims, compared with 24 confirmed and 60 potential victims in 2023. Confirmed victims originated from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Colombia, Serbia, and Pakistan. Nine victims received state-supported assistance. The government allocated EUR 135,000 for victim accommodation in 2024, similar to 2023. A new Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2025-2026 was adopted on 13 February 2025.

Slovenia introduced several important legislative changes in 2023-2024 to streamline migration procedures and address labour shortages. On 9 November 2023, Slovenia adopted its first Integration Strategy for non-EU foreigners, defining integration as a two-way process and emphasising language learning. The strategy foresees a new integration and intercultural information centre providing counselling, training, and cultural activities, alongside a multilingual website offering accessible information for migrants. It also introduces more structured economic-integration measures, such as pre-departure language training and job fairs in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as improved Slovene-language instruction in schools and higher education.

Amendments to the Foreigners Act, which entered into force in April and November 2023, simplified residence procedures, eased employment conditions, and removed several administrative barriers. Foreign workers changing employer or working for multiple employers now require only the consent of the Employment Service, rather than a separate administrative decision. From November 2024, the language requirement for extending temporary residence permits for family members shifted from “entry-level” to a more flexible “subsistence-level” knowledge. The amendment also granted third-country nationals with at least one year of legal residence the right to reunite with third-country family members. In parallel, Slovenia continued adjusting its labour migration policies to mitigate workforce shortages. Non-EU nationals can be employed under a streamlined single-permit system, and recent amendments further facilitated access to employment in key sectors. Access to the labour market for applicants for international protection was also accelerated, with the waiting period reduced from nine months to three.

In December 2024, the Government adopted a national plan for implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, structured around the ten building blocks of the EU Common Implementation Plan. The required legislative changes are underway and expected to be adopted before June 2026.

The Act on Temporary Protection of Displaced Persons entered into force on 19 July 2025, defining the rights and obligations of beneficiaries, streamlining procedures, and clarifying the link between temporary and international protection. It allows beneficiaries to transition to other residence permits once temporary protection ends and creates a legal basis for the new registration platform. The act also updates rules on accommodation, financial assistance, education, healthcare, and labour-market access, with specific provisions for vulnerable groups.

Slovenia remains engaged in key international and regional migration dialogues, including the Prague Process, the Budapest Process, and co-chairs the Brdo Process.