At SIBIZ, we provide legal and strategic support to international business professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients looking to invest, live, or work in Slovenia. As a trusted partner in relocation, corporate setup, and immigration matters, we feel it is important to warn our clients and the broader public about a growing number of scams targeting foreign nationals seeking Slovenian citizenship.
Slovenian Citizenship Is Valuable, Which Makes It a Target for Scammers
Slovenia ranks 10th in the world on the Henley & Partners Global Passport Index for 2025. Slovenian citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 countries, along with full EU citizenship rights such as the freedom to work, live, and travel across the European Union. These benefits make Slovenian citizenship highly attractive to non-EU nationals.
However, citizenship is not available through investment or fast-track payments. Slovenia has no citizenship-by-investment program. Legitimate naturalisation typically requires 10 years of legal residence, proof of integration, language proficiency, and other strict legal criteria. Only rare exceptions exist for individuals of national interest, such as top athletes or experts in highly specialised fields.
Organized Criminal Groups Are Exploiting Demand
Despite these facts, fraudulent companies are targeting foreign individuals with false promises. We have seen multiple cases where scammers claim they can obtain Slovenian citizenship within 6 to 12 months in exchange for payments ranging from EUR 25,000 to 60,000. These are not legal services. These are criminal fraud operations.
One such case involved an Algerian businessman who received an offer through Instagram from a so-called company “Global Citizen Pass.” The group sent him professional-looking documents, including a notarised incorporation act of a Slovenian legal firm that supposedly represented them. In reality, the Slovenian law firm was unaware of any such cooperation, and its documents and identity had been falsified. Thankfully, the client spoke to a trusted Slovenian contact who advised him to stop before sending any money.
These Are the Red Flags
If you receive an offer promising Slovenian or EU citizenship in a few months in exchange for large sums of money, consider the following warning signs:
Contact is made via Instagram, WhatsApp, or Telegram
The “company” provides no legal names, only a website
No physical presence or registered office can be verified
Communication becomes urgent, asking for upfront payments
You are asked to send copies of passports, ID cards, and other personal documents
They offer notarised Slovenian company documents as “proof”
Criminal Techniques Include Identity Theft of Slovenian Law Firms
According to SI-CERT, Slovenia’s national cybersecurity centre, these frauds have been on the rise since 2020. Criminal groups steal data from small Slovenian legal firms, forge documents, and send them to victims to appear credible. Several Slovenian companies only became aware of the issue when victims or foreign lawyers demanded refunds.
Fraudsters often:
Forge company registration documents
Falsify notarial acts and stamps
Use real names of Slovenian lawyers without consent
In addition to financial losses, victims often expose themselves to identity theft, and Slovenian companies risk being linked to international fraud schemes.
Examples of Fraudulent Websites Offering “Slovenian Citizenship”
Here are some sites reported by SI-CERT and other authorities as part of ongoing scams:
If you believe you’ve been contacted by a fraudulent provider, follow these steps immediately:
Do not pay anything
Do not send personal or ID documents
Stop all communication
Report the fraud to the police in your country
If it involves a Slovenian firm’s identity, report it to SI-CERT and the Slovenian police
Publicly warn others if your company was misused
SIBIZ Offers Legal, Transparent, and Professional Support
At SIBIZ, we do not offer shortcuts or fake solutions. We support corporate clients, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals with legal advice, company formation, residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, and tax compliance in Slovenia. All our services are fully transparent, aligned with Slovenian and EU law, and delivered by licensed professionals.
If you are unsure about an offer or would like to explore legal options for living or working in Slovenia, contact us directly. We are ready to assist.
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