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Question 1

Q:

Hello! As an EU citizen, I'm interested in purchasing an apartment in Slovenia with cash. Currently, I do not reside in Slovenia and am not a resident. Could you please share any insights or experiences regarding whether this is feasible, and if anyone has successfully bought property in this manner? Thank you in advance for your advice and thoughts.

Answer

There's no problem in buying property in Slovenia if your funds are in a different bank. I don't see a reason to provide the source of funds since you won't be opening an account in a Slovenian bank, but simply paying for the property. However, there are two important steps you must take: obtain a tax number in Slovenia and get a personal number in Slovenia. Without these, the real estate transaction will not be possible.

Question 2

Q:

I am a US/EU citizen, my spouse is a US citizen. Can you clarify, can my spouse remain in Slovenia during that time of waiting for the family reunification to go through? Also, can we start the process from the US?

Answer

Responding to your first question — whether a spouse can stay during the reunification process. Yes, but under several conditions: no more than 90 days, the process for the EU citizen must already be completed, and the US citizen must give fingerprints in Washington.
Responding to your second question — whether it's possible to start the process in the US. For an EU citizen — no, because it requires actually arriving in Slovenia and resolving the issue on-site. For a US citizen — yes, it can be the same reunification process. It's important to remember that these processes are sequential.
If both of you will be applying as US citizens, then it can be done from Washington, but then there needs to be a valid reason for needing temporary residency in Slovenia for you: education, employment, own business, own residential property.

Question 3

Q:

Can spouse of EU citizen (Not Slovenia) get automatic residency if we move there, or it's long process like family reunification?

Answer

This will be a family reunification, and it will take a long time if it's a major city. Expect at least a six-month wait. And you can only apply for this reunification after your spouse has been legalized in Slovenia. This means you should be prepared to wait about six months for his documents. If you want to expedite the process, first move to a smaller town.

Question 4

Q:

What are the key activities and tasks undertaken during an exploratory trip to two European Union countries, spanning two weeks, originating from the United States of America?

Inquiry:
As first-time explorers planning an international scouting trip to two EU countries, we seek guidance on effectively organizing our journey. Given our background of relocating across the US and our experience in adapting to new environments, we are comfortable with the prospect of moving. However, we are novices in conducting a scouting trip abroad. Our daughter, nearing 4 years old, has PDA, a condition with similarities to Autism and ADHD.

Key Considerations:

Identifying schools with special needs programs – Should we prioritize this during our initial trip?
Real estate considerations – Is it advisable to engage with local real estate agents in both countries?
Transportation choices – Would renting a car or relying on public transportation be more efficient?
Itinerary optimization – How can we maximize our time effectively, and how many days should we allocate per city?
Common pitfalls – What are some challenges to be aware of and avoid?
Personal experiences – For those who have undertaken similar journeys, what insights or advice would you offer?

We appreciate any guidance or personal experiences that could assist us in this new chapter of our lives.

Answer

You mentioned that your family will obtain EU citizenship. It is crucial to understand when this will occur.

Child with special needs - if he can study in a regular school, then let it be so. If not, then you need certificates and to work with the commission for the distribution of children right now, as they take a very long time to process, and I have extensive experience in this.
Next - what will be the basis for your stay? This question also needs to be addressed.
Real estate agents cannot decide for you where it is better to live. We have one real estate website; take a look at it, but don't switch it to English, then there will be more options.

https://www.nepremicnine.net/

Question 5

Q:

I am a UK citizen with a temporary residency permit in Slovenia, valid until 18/11/2026, but was told at a job interview that I can't work with this non-biometric card. Is this true, and if so, how do I obtain a biometric temporary residency card quickly? My permit is based on being a family member of a Slovenian citizen.

Answer

Since the deadline of August 3, 2023, has already passed, you should replace your current plastic residency card with a new biometric one as soon as possible. This applies to UK citizens and family members of Slovenian citizens. There is no administrative fee for replacing the card, only the cost of producing the new card. I recommend contacting Upravna Enota for more information and to begin the card replacement process. For more detailed information, you can also visit the official government portal:

https://www.gov.si/novice/2022-02-14-nove-izkaznice-dovoljenj-za-prebivanje-za-tujce/

Question 6

Q:

I am an Irish expat working as a programmer in Slovenia. I have a hobby of crafting wooden items and wish to sell them on online marketplaces. Can I run this as a side business while employed full-time? What are the legal implications and procedures for setting up such a business?

Answer

Yes, you can start a part-time sole proprietorship for your woodworking hobby. The monthly contributions will be around 84 euros. The tax depends on the chosen taxation system. If your production is small, consider the 'income minus expenses with 19% profit tax' system. Be aware of VAT: you'll need to join the VIES system for marketplace service payments.

Question 7

Q:

We moved to Slovenia for work and I am pregnant, expecting to give birth soon. We are concerned about the necessary documents for our child born in Slovenia. What steps do we need to take to ensure our child gets proper documentation and citizenship?

Answer

When your child is born in Slovenia, the hospital will coordinate with Upravna enota to issue a Slovenian birth certificate and registration. Next, translate these documents into English and visit the Indian consulate for your child's passport.

Meanwhile, you can apply for your child's Slovenian residence permit. Once you have the passport, provide it to the office handling your residence permit paperwork.

It's important to note that a child born in Slovenia doesn't automatically receive citizenship but is eligible for a residence permit. Citizenship can be applied for after a ten-year residency in Slovenia.

Question 8

Q:

I'm an international student here in Slovenia and I'm thinking about staying after I finish my studies. Can I set up my own business or a sole proprietorship? What do I need to know about the legal stuff and how to get started?

Answer

Yes, you can register a s.p. or a company in Slovenia. For an s.p., you must have resided in Slovenia for at least 12 months. You'll need a criminal record certificate with an apostille and a tax certificate with an apostille. For a company, you also need a decision on the contribution of a minimum capital of €7,500. Sometimes, purchasing an existing company (costing around €2,000-€3,000) is more convenient.

You'll also need a legal address for the company (we offer this service), which typically costs around €50 per month.

Registration is done at AJPES (Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services / Agencija Republike Slovenije za javnopravne evidence in storitve), and it's free. It's crucial to immediately declare your tax system and estimated advance corporate tax payments upon registration. At the AJPES they will also provide assistance in selecting the appropriate types of business activities for your company or s.p.

Once registered, complete the procedure to open a company bank account. If it's a company, you can start operating; for an s.p., you must first change your residency status.