Slovenia, along with 27 other States, is a country of the European Union and its citizens enjoy the right of free movement, work, start and develop business within the unification as well as vote in elections to the European Parliament. The Republic of Slovenia recognizes the rights and obligations of its citizens, although Slovenian civic spirit can be renounced voluntarily.
Slovenia allows foreign citizens dual citizenship if a few conditions are met as well as provides a residence permit to civilians of non-European countries on a temporary or permanent basis.
Foreigners who hold a passport of another EU country than Slovenia can have the privileges of a Slovenian citizen. Residents of the association are equal among themselves in the ability to choose any of the EU states as their permanent residence without bureaucratic conditions and documentary requirements. For Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and other population of the territories of the former USSR the real term for obtaining dual citizenship in Slovenia is about a year.
Conditions for obtaining dual citizenship in Slovenia
Dual citizenship in Slovenia can be obtained through repatriation and restoration. Financial investments are possible in opening a company on the territory of the republic Slovenia and subsequent registration of a residence permit with the right to naturalization. It is important to emphasize that Slovenian citizens who have passed the naturalization procedure are obliged to renounce their previous citizenship. And of course, the right to Slovenian nationality varies depending on individual circumstances.
Applicants who apply for Slovenian citizenship as a second one by repatriation process should:
- have at least one relative in a direct ascending line up to 4 generations from among local citizens;
- previously they had the status of a citizen and intend to restore it;
- showed special services to the state;
- they are under the protection of the country under one of the humanitarian programs established by law.
In most cases, applicants for a Slovenian passport as dual nationality must be over eighteen years old, have no criminal record, write a waiver of a similar document in their home country, have sufficient income and a place of registration (residence permit) in the republic. Foreigners should also demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge of the Slovenian language for communication, consent to pronounce the text of the oath upon receipt of a civic certificate and commit themselves to comply with the norms of the republican constitution.
Peopele who are legally married to the holders of a Slovenian passport can issue a similar identity card within a year after immigration to the country and also have dual nationality in Slovenia. Applicants can submit an application no earlier than 36 months after the conclusion of a family union. The migration authorities of Slovenia necessarily check interethnic marriages for fictitiousness.
Candidates for dual nationality whose activities have brought significant benefits to the republic, for example, in the field of scientific research, development of the economic sector or the international promotion of local culture can become the owner of a Slovenian passport a year after immigration. In this case, the assignment of country affiliation is initiated not by a foreigner, but by an authorized representative of the relevant ministry (for example, culture and sports).
Persons who previously owned a Slovenian passport and lost it as a result of forced deprivation can re-issue an identity card after having previously lived in the territory of the republic for at least 6 months. Such people are allowed to have dual nationality. Requests are considered by the authorities individually, taking into account the national interests of the state.
Obtaining a Slovenian passport by roots is available to applicants whose family has or has had persons holding a similar identity card before the 4th generation. When applying for citizenship upon repatriation, a foreigner undertakes to pre-live in the republic with a resident card for only a year instead of 10 years, as in the case of naturalization. The applicant must confirm his ethnicity to the state, for example, with a birth certificate of a suitable relative, as well as other documents substantiating the applicant’s connection with the relevant person.
Recommendations
The main recommendations relate to the accuracy of collecting documents. Always make updates on your papers on time. The basic dossier of the applicant for a Slovenian passport is as follows: identification card; proof of withdrawal from previous citizenship; valid permanent resident card; income statement or its equivalent; confirmation of the absence of criminal records; certificates of civil status (if applicable); language certificate; receipt for payment of the administrative fee; a completed application of the established sample. The applicant’s foreign documents must be translated into Slovenian by an authorized person, notarized and apostilled.
After observing the norms for pre-residence in the republic and meeting the other criteria, the applicant must visit the nearest administrative unit of Slovenia and submit an application for registration of citizen status. Upon approval of the request, the foreigner re-arrives at the authorized body, pronounces the text of the oath, and receives a certificate. With this document, an immigrant has the right to issue a plastic identity card and a Slovenian passport for travelling abroad.
