The Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure has approved a proposal to simplify the procedure for foreign residents from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia to exchange their national driver’s licenses for a Slovenian one.
If approved by the National Assembly, the amendment would allow holders of valid licenses from these countries who have registered their residence in Slovenia to exchange their license without taking a practical driving test. The exchange would have to be completed within one year of registration of residence.
The committee added a safeguard: Drivers would still have to show proof of physical and mental fitness to drive.
Supporters see this as a practical step to reduce administrative barriers for workers with years of driving experience, especially in sectors that rely on foreign workers, such as transport, construction and logistics.
Opponents warn of unequal treatment of other third-country nationals and potential safety risks, noting that similar exemptions do not apply to other non-EU countries. The debate will continue in the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
Why it matters
Simplifies integration of skilled workers already holding valid foreign licences.
Reduces administrative delays for residents and employers.
Supports Slovenia’s effort to address labour shortages in key industries.
How Clients of SIBIZ Benefit With our cross-border mobility and compliance services at SIBIZ, we will guide you through:
The administrative steps for licence exchange in Slovenia.
Impacts on employment, residence registration and company compliance obligations.
For employers hiring drivers from abroad, we help align employment contracts, work permits and mobility registration.
About SIBIZ SIBIZ Business Services Ltd, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, provides integrated legal, tax, accounting and businessadvisoryservices for foreign entrepreneurs, investors, digital nomads, business professionals and corporate clients. We help clients navigate Slovenian regulations with clarity and confidence while offering practical day-to-day support, from company formation and relocation to compliance and HR support.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The changes described below reflect a PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE DRAFT published by the Ministry of the Interior (MNZ) for the Foreigners Act (ZTuj-2J). The public consultation period has been extended to August 26, 2026. These provisions are not yet final law and remain subject to legislative debate and parliamentary approval. This legislative proposal introduces […]
The relationship between annual leave and work-life boundaries in Slovenia has undergone a significant legal evolution. Central to this shift is the right to disconnect (pravica do odklopa), which was formally incorporated into Slovenia’s primary labour legislation, the Employment Relations Act (ZDDR-1), often referred to as the country’s “mini labour constitution,” almost two years ago. […]
The Ministry of the Interior (which now includes the Ministry of Public Administration) has officially published draft amendments to the Aliens Act (ZTuj-2). Designed to implement the updated EU Single Permit Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1233 ) and streamline national administrative procedures, the draft law introduces key changes affecting corporate employers, foreign workers and relocating families. […]
