Complete Guide for UK Citizens Moving to Slovenia After Brexit
7/1/20256 min branje
Introduction
After Brexit, UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals when entering the Schengen area. For entry into Slovenia, they can enter without a visa and stay for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. However, for longer stays, they must obtain appropriate residence permits.
Sources:
Conditions for UK Citizens Under the Withdrawal Agreement
Temporary Residence Permit Requirements
Financial Requirements
Individuals: Minimum income equivalent to Slovenia's basic minimum income amount
Families: Higher amounts depending on family size
Proof of regular income (pension statements, bank statements, etc.)
Health Insurance
Must have adequate health insurance coverage
Can be private or public insurance
Must cover all medical risks
Purpose of Stay
Must be one of the following:
Employment/self-employment
Study
Family reunification
Other justified purposes (e.g., retirees with sufficient means)
Required Documentation
Valid passport
Proof of accommodation
Recent photograph
Documentation proving purpose of stay
Criminal record certificate from home country (not older than 3 months)
Sources:
Guide for British Retirees in Slovenia
1. Residence Permit Process
British citizens need temporary or permanent residence permits after Brexit. The process includes:
Proof of Sufficient Finances: Retirees must prove regular income such as pensions or other funding sources. The minimum amount typically matches Slovenia's minimum wage.
Purpose of Stay: Retirees must state their purpose (e.g., retirement, family reunification).
Health Insurance: Adequate health coverage required - either Slovenian mandatory health insurance or valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/S1 form for EU or UK retirees).
2. Health Insurance Options
2.1. Mandatory Health Insurance in Slovenia
British retirees in Slovenia must have health insurance through several options:
Mandatory Health Insurance with ZZZS: Covers basic health services in Slovenia. Monthly cost for full mandatory health insurance is approximately €150 per month.
S1 Form: British retirees receiving UK pensions can obtain an S1 form, enabling access to Slovenia's healthcare system paid by the British NHS. This option applies to retirees who lived in Slovenia before December 31, 2020, and those moving later.
Additional Health Insurance: Supplementary insurance is recommended to cover costs not included in mandatory insurance.
2.2. Advantages of Slovenian System Over NHS
Access to Specialists: Waiting times in Slovenia are often shorter than NHS
Personal Doctor System: Patients can choose personal doctors without GP registration
Greater Flexibility: Possibility to combine public and private healthcare services
2.3. Combining NHS and Slovenian Systems
UK residents temporarily staying in Slovenia can use European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency services
Slovenia residents receiving British pensions can access the Slovenian system via S1 form, with NHS covering costs
NHS Combination Possibility: If a British retiree remains registered with NHS and has S1 form, they can benefit from both systems - accessing NHS-covered services in Slovenia while continuing to use NHS services in the UK
Additional private insurance is useful for faster access to certain services
3. Conclusion
Slovenia offers British retirees quality healthcare and favorable living conditions. Proper arrangement of residence and insurance enables a worry-free transition to a new environment.
Temporary Residence Permit Application Process
After Brexit, British citizens became third-country nationals requiring residence permits in Slovenia. Key steps and required documents:
Application Form
Complete the "Application for Issue/Extension of Temporary Residence Permit" (TUJ form). Forms are available at administrative units or online.
Required Documents
Valid passport
Color photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
Proof of health insurance
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
Criminal record certificate from home country (not older than 3 months)
Proof of purpose of stay (employment contract, study enrollment, etc.)
Administrative Fees
Administrative fees must be paid (amount depends on permit type)
Process Steps
Determine Purpose of Stay: Define reason for temporary residence (work, study, family connections)
Obtain Required Documents:
Proof of purpose: Employment contract, educational enrollment certificate, or other relevant documents
Travel health insurance: Must cover emergency medical services throughout Schengen area
Proof of subsistence means: Evidence of sufficient funds during Slovenian stay
Submit Application:
Apply at Slovenian diplomatic mission/consulate in UK or directly at administrative unit in Slovenia
Complete appropriate form and attach all required documents
Biometric Data: Provide biometric data (photograph and fingerprints) when submitting application
Wait for Decision: Receive confirmation of submitted application. Decision typically takes several weeks
Register Address: After receiving temporary residence permit, register at your residential address within eight days of arrival
Permit Extension: Apply for extension in time if staying longer than originally approved period
Financial Requirements for Retirees
UK citizens seeking temporary or permanent settlement in Slovenia as retirees must prove sufficient means of subsistence - regular monthly income or savings exceeding Slovenia's basic minimum income amount. This amount is regularly adjusted according to cost of living index.
Proof of sufficient means may include:
Pension Documentation: Official documents confirming pension amount
Bank Statements: Proof of savings or other financial assets
Other Income Proof: Possible other income sources like investments, rental income, etc.
Criteria for Proving Sufficient Means
Basic Minimum Income Amount: Sufficient means must equal at least Slovenia's basic minimum income amount
Long-term Sustainability: Proof must suffice for entire residence period
Income Sources: Pension, savings, investments, or other income sources
Documentation: Bank statements, pension contracts, or other documents confirming regular income
Legal Basis: Regulation on Determining Sufficient Means
Additional Information:
Permanent Residence
According to Article 15 of the Withdrawal Agreement, beneficiaries acquire the right to permanent residence automatically upon fulfilling the five-year continuous lawful residence requirement in Slovenia. Possessing a permanent residence permit card is not a prerequisite for exercising permanent residence rights, as this right can be confirmed through other means of proof.
Conditions for Permanent Resident Status
Lawful Residence: UK citizens must lawfully reside in Slovenia continuously for at least five years, including various forms of residence such as work, study, or family reasons.
Proof of Residence: When applying for permanent residence, must provide evidence of five years of lawful residence in Slovenia:
Certificate of registered address
Utility bills or rental agreements
Pay slips, bank statements, or tax returns
Application Process: Apply at administrative unit in place of residence, including form completion and administrative fee payment.
Biometric Data: Applicants must provide biometric data (photograph and fingerprints).
No Grounds for Refusal: Process must not include grounds for refusal such as criminal convictions or immigration rule violations.
Additional Requirements
Sufficient Means: Prove adequate means of subsistence and not being a burden on Slovenia's social system
Integration: Expected integration into Slovenian society, demonstrable through Slovenian language knowledge or local community participation
Important Notes
Automatic Right: UK citizens who lawfully resided in Slovenia before the transition period ended (December 31, 2020) have permanent residence rights immediately upon fulfilling five-year continuous lawful residence requirement
Permit Card: Issued permanent residence permit card only confirms already acquired permanent residence right
For detailed information, visit gov.si or consult local immigration authorities.
Health Insurance System
Mandatory Health Insurance Costs
From January 1, 2024, all residents in Slovenia, regardless of nationality, must pay a mandatory health contribution of €35 per month. This applies to UK citizens with temporary residence permits.
Sources:
Registration Process
Where to Register:
Any ZZZS (Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia) regional office
Online via e-VEM portal with digital certificate
Required Documents:
Temporary residence permit
Personal document (passport)
Tax number (obtain from Financial Administration if needed)
Proof of legal basis for insurance (employment contract, student status, etc.)
Insurance Costs:
Employed: Employer pays contributions
Self-employed: Monthly flat-rate contribution (amount determined by ZZZS)
Persons without income: Monthly flat-rate contribution (approximately €80 monthly)
Deadlines:
Register for mandatory insurance within 8 days of obtaining residence permit
Insurance becomes effective from registration date
Coverage Comparison: Slovenian System vs. NHS
Advantages of Slovenian System:
Faster Specialist Access: Choose specialists and institutions throughout Slovenia with referral
Shorter waiting times for most specialist examinations compared to NHS
Choice of personal doctor, gynecologist, and dentist
Dental Care: Basic dental care included (preventive check-ups, fillings, inflammation treatment, basic prosthetics)
Physiotherapy: Easier access with fewer treatment limitations
Medications: Wider range of prescription drugs with lower co-payments
Disadvantages Compared to NHS:
Costs: NHS is free (tax-funded), Slovenia requires monthly payment
Preventive Programs: NHS has more developed preventive programs and better screening systems
What Slovenian Insurance Covers:
Basic Healthcare:
Personal doctor visits
Emergency home visits
Preventive examinations
Vaccination program
Specialist Outpatient Care:
All specialist examinations with referral
Diagnostic tests (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI)
Laboratory tests
Hospital Treatment:
All hospitalization costs
Surgical procedures
Intensive care
Rehabilitation
Dental Care:
Preventive examinations
Tooth and gum treatment
Basic prosthetics
Dental surgery
Gynecology and Obstetrics:
Regular gynecological examinations
Pregnancy monitoring
Delivery and postpartum care
Medications and Medical Devices:
Prescription medications (with possible co-payments)
Basic medical devices
Orthopedic aids
Emergency Medical Help:
Ambulance transport
Emergency medical assistance
Helicopter transport in emergencies
Additional Services:
Community nursing
Physiotherapy
Psychiatric treatment
Palliative care
Combining NHS and Croatian Healthcare
UK retirees with temporary residence in Slovenia can combine NHS and Slovenian healthcare systems. However, NHS access is typically limited to UK residents, and prolonged absence may affect eligibility for free NHS services.
For UK Retirees with Temporary Slovenia Residence:
If Receiving UK State Pension:
Can obtain S1 form from UK - this is the best option because:
UK pays your health insurance in Slovenia through S1 scheme
Retain NHS service rights when visiting UK
Get full health coverage in Slovenia
If Not Eligible for S1:
Monthly €35 payment insufficient because:
Slovenia has unified health insurance system from January 2024
Old supplementary insurance (≈€35/month) no longer exists
Need full health insurance in Slovenia
Required Forms:
In UK:
S1 Form - request from NHS Overseas Healthcare Team
UK state pension receipt certificate
NHS foreign residence registration form
In Slovenia:
M1 Form - health insurance registration (ZZZS)
M12 Form - family member registration (if needed)
Temporary residence certificate
S1 form translation (court interpreter)
S1 Form Acquisition Process:
Contact: NHS Overseas Healthcare Services
Phone: +44 (0)191 218 1999
Email: nhsbsa.ovhealthcare@nhs.net
Required Information:
UK state pension proof
Slovenia address
UK address
National Insurance number
Important Notes:
Obtain S1 form BEFORE moving to Slovenia
Register with ZZZS in Slovenia after receiving form
Form requires renewal every 2-3 years
This combination (NHS and Slovenian healthcare via S1 form) applies to all British retirees moving to Slovenia, regardless of whether they lived there before December 31, 2020. The main condition is receiving state pension from UK and obtaining S1 form where NHS covers their health services in Slovenia.
Legal Framework
The healthcare coordination is enabled by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between EU and UK, maintained after Brexit. The system is also governed by:
EU Regulation 883/2004 on coordination of social security systems
Implementing Regulation 987/2009
Official Sources:
Conclusion
Moving to Slovenia as a UK citizen after Brexit requires careful planning and understanding of the legal requirements. The process involves obtaining appropriate residence permits, arranging health insurance, and proving financial sustainability. With proper preparation, British citizens can successfully establish residence in Slovenia and benefit from its healthcare system and quality of life.
For the most current information and detailed guidance, consult:
Slovenia Immigration Information: infotujci.si
Government Brexit Information: gov.si Brexit section
NHS Overseas Healthcare: NHS Overseas Healthcare Team
CONTACT
tajnistvo@retiretoslovenia.com
+386-40-488-629
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