Citizenship by Descent in Slovenia

It is possible to obtain citizenship by descent in Slovenia in the case of individuals who can prove Slovenian ancestry. The process varies depending on factors such as the specific circumstances of the ancestry and it also involves providing documentation to prove the familial connection to a Slovenian ancestor.

Our Slovenian lawyers will help interested individuals through the citizenship application process, prepare all necessary documentation, and offer support in meeting the eligibility requirements.

Criteria for Slovenian citizenship by descent

Slovenian citizenship by heritage is granted to individuals who can demonstrate a direct ancestral connection to Slovenia.

If you’re born into a family with Slovenian ancestry and both your father and mother are Slovenian citizens, you will automatically acquire Slovenian citizenship by ancestry. Similarly, this applies if you’re born in Slovenia to at least one parent who is a Slovenian citizen.

Alternatively, if you’re born abroad to a Slovenian parent, while the other parent’s nationality is unknown or without citizenship, you can also acquire Slovenian citizenship automatically. Our immigration lawyers in Slovenia handle this case as well.

If you don’t meet the criteria for automatic acquisition, but still have Slovenian ancestry, you can apply to acquire citizenship by origin in Slovenia. To do so, you need to demonstrate several factors:

• you must be over 18 and under 36 years old;
• you need to prove your Slovenian ethnicity through various means, for parents or grandparents who are the source of your Slovenian heritage -this evidence can extend back to the second generation in direct descent;
• you must provide proof that you haven’t been sentenced to prison for more than three months or have been on probation for more than a year as a result of criminal offenses;
• guarantee that you are not affiliated with a foreign intelligence service;
• provide a resume of your personal information;
• present proof of your current citizenship.

Our attorneys in Slovenia can help in assessing whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Documentation needed for granting citizenship by descent in Slovenia

In order to be granted citizenship by heritage in Slovenia, the following required documentation will be needed to establish your eligibility and ancestral ties:

• documents proving your lineage and familial connections, such as birth certificates of parents and grandparents, as well as marriage certificates;
• a criminal record check from the competent authority of your country of citizenship;
• documents attesting your date and place of birth, educational background, employment history, marital status, and current residence details for you and your family members;
• a valid passport or other relevant documents to confirm your current citizenship.

Please note that any official documents written in a foreign language must be translated into Slovene by a certified translator unless they are issued in compliance with international conventions. These translated documents are important in the overall process of obtaining citizenship by ancestry in Slovenia.

What happens when an individual is above 36 years old and is a Slovenian descendant?

As mentioned above, there is an age criterion for those entitled to Slovenian citizenship (but not following the automatic route). In this case, the law states that the applicant must have an age of up to 36 years old in order to apply for citizenship by descent (the person can apply, afterwards, provided that the application is successful, for a Slovenian passport by descent).

Those who will apply for a Slovenian passport by descent must abide by the same rules imposed to all Slovenian nationals who automatically acquired citizenship or who obtained it later, following one of the legal routes.

For adult applicants, a passport has a validity of 10 years, while for persons underaged, the validity is of 5 years. Our lawyers in Slovenia can help clients in preparing their documentation for the issuance of the document (please know that a Slovenian passport by descent can be obtained from the competent overseas or domestic Slovenian authorities).

The legislation states that persons who are above 36 years old can apply for citizenship if they have Slovenian descendants of up to the 2nd generation, in accordance with the rules of extraordinary naturalization.

According to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the citizenship application is conducted in accordance with the stipulations of Article 13 of Citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia Act. The Article stipulates that citizenship can be granted provided that it is in the interest of the country and if the applicant offers certain benefits.

These benefits can be related to scientific research, cultural or economic reasons, etc. Outside of the Slovenian descent (that must be proven), the applicant must show evidence of constant connections to Slovenia and 5 years of active participation in various Slovenian organizations.

Such activities can refer to participating in schools where one can study the Slovene language or in various Slovenian communities of any kind (expats, immigrants, etc.). Therefore, it is not mandatory to have completed any formalities for immigration to Slovenia prior to the application for citizenship by descent.

Our law firm in Slovenia can offer assistance to persons who can qualify for citizenship by descent under extraordinary circumstances. You can rely on our team of legal assistance concerning the legal formalities for residency in Slovenia if you plan to live in this country.

Statistics about Slovenian immigration

Regarding the subject of citizenship by origin in Slovenia, here are some statistics about the overall immigration trend in the country. The statistics are provided by the Statistical Office in Slovenia for the year 2022:

• 35,613 people immigrated to Slovenia;
• compared to the previous year, immigration increased by 50%;
• 3,708 Slovenian citizens immigrated to Slovenia, particularly from Austria;
• most foreign immigrants came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

Our lawyers can assist individuals in obtaining citizenship, regardless of the type of citizenship a person qualifies for. If you need assistance in immigrating to Slovenia, do not hesitate to contact our team for complete services and support.