Dear clients,
we would like to inform you about the changes in the Law of Aliens which were enforced on the 26th of May 2021. We have prepared a short summary of all the changes that might be in your interest. Please, find a table below with the comparisons between the old and new contents of the Law.
| OLD RULES | NEW RULES | |
| Family reunification | In one year from the first address registration of the regular WRP holder. Does not apply to the holders of the EU Blue card. | In two years from the first address registration of the regular WRP holder. Does not apply to the holders of the EU Blue card. |
| Slovenian language for permanent residence for persons above 18 years of age | No requirements. | A2 level required when applying for a permanent residence (valid in two years from the law enforcement). |
| Slovenian language for reunified family members for persons above 18 years of age | No requirements. | A1 level required when applying for the first prolongation (valid in two years from the law enforcement). Does not apply to children who attend kindergarten, school, or are less than 6 years old and university students. Does not apply to partners of the holders of the EU Blue card. |
| Financial means for supporting the family | Expenses of transportation and meal were considered as financial means | Only net salary is considered as financial means, so no transportation or meal come into account. Also, the government institutions can periodically check the financial means during the validity of the WRP. Students need to show financial means for the whole period of the WRP validity. |
FAMILY REUNIFICATION
According to the new Law, every WRP holder can reunify the family members in two years from the first address registration in the Republic of Slovenia. Until now, all WRP holders were able to reunify family in one year after the first address registration in Slovenia. The Law was changed due to many WRP holders reunifying their family members after one year without having enough assets to support their families.
SLOVENIAN LANGUAGE
Until now, there were no requirements for foreigners regarding the Slovenian language. However, due to many foreigners living in Slovenia and not learning the language, the Law presents some changes for those who apply for permanent residence and the reunified members who apply for prolongation. This article from the Law is valid in two years from the day of the Law enforcement, which means that anyone who will apply for the permanent residence or any reunified members who will apply for prolongation after the 26th of May 2023 will need to submit a proof that they have passed an exam of the Slovenian language at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana (Filozofska fakulteta Ljubljana). To clarify, reunified members do not need to pass the exam when obtaining the residence permit, but it will be obligatory when prolonging their permit for the first time. In practice this means that they need to learn language (A1 level) in one year if they do not decide to do it earlier. For those who will apply for the permanent residence after the 26th of May 2023, A2 level of the Slovenian language is required. However, all these rules are intended for WRP holders and reunified members above the age of 18 and those who are not included in the Slovenian school system.
Regarding the new Law, we have prepared an offer for the courses of the Slovenian language where we help you prepare for the exams you need to pass to obtain the permanent residence or prolong the residence permit of a reunified member. We can offer you online or live courses.
FINANCIAL MEANS
Until now, the expenses of transportation and meal together with the net salary were considered as assets for living and supporting a foreigner’s family in Slovenia. However, according to the new Law, only net salary will be considered. Consequently, bigger families will need to show bigger amounts of financial means in their bank accounts.
Since the new rules might affect many of you, we would kindly ask you to send us any questions on our e-mail [email protected] or, even better, contact us and we will make an appointment for a visit in our office in order to discuss any possible questions in person.
Kind regards,
Team SIBIZ