EMPLOYMENT, WORKING PERMIT
Free movement of workers applies between Slovenia and all EU member states. If you are a citizen of an EU member state, a work permit is not required to enter the Slovenian labour market, and you can apply for job vacancies under equal conditions. However, employers are obligated to register the employment of citizens of these countries at the Employment Service of Slovenia within 8 days of the start of work. Read more on The Rules on the contents and the method of keeping official records on the EU nationals, the nationals enjoying equality of treatment and their family members on employments, performance of work based on civil law contracts, and on posted workers providing their services in the Republic of Slovenia (150.32 Kb)
At the Employment Service of Slovenia, it is necessary to register the beginning of provision of services. The employer who orders the service should register the beginning of service at least 3 days before the service is actually executed. If you are posted to work in Slovenia, your employer is obligated (based on the working contract concluded in your home country) to ensure for you minimal working and employment conditions compatible with Slovenian regulations.
If you are a citizen of a third country that is not an EU member state, you may gain employment in Slovenia only on the basis of a work permit, which is issued in accordance with Slovenian national legislation. A work permit is, as a rule, issued at the request of employers, so you need to find an employer who is willing to employ you first. An employer will obtain the work permit only under certain conditions. The most important condition is that there are no suitable candidates registered at the Employment Service of Slovenia and that the employment will not cause any disturbances on the Slovenian labour market.
A RESIDENCE PERMIT
If you intend to stay in Slovenia for a period of more than three months, and if you are a citizen of an EU member state, a residence permit is needed. An application for a residence permit can be submitted at the local Administrative Unit with a valid passport or identity card. In the case of employment, you must submit confirmation from your employer that you are, or will be, employed, or proof of employment (an employment contract). In the case of studying, self-employment or retirement, appropriate evidence should be provided. You must also provide proof that you have a secure means of subsistence and suitable health insurance.
MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Before deciding to work in Slovenia, it is advisable to find out if your profession is regulated in Slovenia. If you want to pursue a regulated profession (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, teacher, etc.), the standard application for the recognition of qualifications needs to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs. Evidence of citizenship, proof of education or qualifications, and other evidence should be included with the application.
If your qualifications are appropriate, a favorable decision on the recognition of your qualifications will be given. However, if your qualifications are not adequate, a decision refusing recognition of your qualifications, or a partial decision specifying that an aptitude test or adjustment period is necessary, will be given.
LABOUR RELATIONS
Before beginning work, a written employment contract is concluded between the employee and employer. The employment contract can be for a definite or indefinite period of time. The employer is obliged to register you into the obligatory pension, invalidity, health and unemployment insurance within 8 days of the date of signing the employment contract. He is also obliged to deliver to you a photocopy of the registration within 15 days of commencing work.
The Payment for work is made up of a basic wage, an additional wage based on efficiency, and allowances. The minimum gross wage in Slovenia was set at 522 Euro in August 2006. In most companies, wages are defined by position quotients appointed in collective agreements and are paid out monthly. The worker is entitled to extra payments for special working conditions related to the distribution of working time, i.e. for night work, overtime, Sunday work, work on statutory holidays, and for years of service.
The employer must ensure for the worker reimbursement of expenses for meals during work, of travel expenses to and from work, and of expenses the worker incurs during performing certain work and tasks on business travel.
Full working hours should not exceed 40 hours a week and should not be shorter than 36 hours a week (except for jobs where there is a greater risk of injury or damage to health).
Annual leave in an individual calendar year lasts at least four weeks. The right to the entire annual leave is acquired after an uninterrupted period of work of six months.
SOCIAL SECURITY
The system of social security in Slovenia is based upon contribution payments from both employers and employees. In Slovenia, contributions for health insurance, pension and invalidity insurance, maternity, unemployment insurance, and accident at work and occupational disease insurance are paid.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Before your arrival in Slovenia, a European health insurance card or other corresponding document enabling you to receive the required medical services should be provided in your home country. With employment in Slovenia, your inclusion into the compulsory health insurance system will be based upon contributions paid out of your wage.
Compulsory health insurance comprises insurance that covers diseases and injuries outside work, and insurance that covers injuries at work and occupational diseases.
Compulsory health insurance covers the majority of health hazards, but not all and not entirely.
In case of illness, wage compensation for illness is received during your absence from work. A medical record from your doctor needs to be submitted to your employer.
In addition to compulsory health insurance, which is provided by the Health Insurance Institution of Slovenia, you can also take out voluntary health insurance provided by insurance companies in order to acquire additional entitlements.
You will have to decide whether to take out voluntary health insurance, but it is advisable to insure yourself for the shortfall from the full value of health services which are not covered in full by the compulsory health insurance.
MATERNITY LEAVE
Maternity leave lasts 105 days. Mothers receive maternity compensation based upon the average of wages paid to them in the previous twelve-month period.
Fathers have a right to paternity leave for the duration of 90 days.
One of the parents has a right to child care leave in order to look after or care for a child for a period of 260 days immediately upon the expiry of maternity leave.
PENSION AND INVALIDITY INSURANCE
The right to an old-age pension is based upon your insurance status, and depends on the completed insurance period and on reaching a certain age. If you have worked (and have been insured) in more than one EU country, you are entitled to receive a pension from each country in which your insurance period was longer than one year. Pensions will correspond to the insurance period completed in each country, allowing periods from different countries to be summarized.
The right to a disability pension is based upon your insurance status and stated invalidity. The right to a disability pension is also granted to an insured person with no occupational rehabilitation assured.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
If you lose employment you are entitled to unemployment benefits. The condition is that in the previous 18 months you had been employed by one or several employers for a total of at least 12 months, that you were insured against unemployment, and that no suitable employment is available. After your employment terminates, you have 30 days to register at the employment service and file an application asserting your right to unemployment benefits.
How long you receive unemployment benefits depends on your previous supplementary insurance, the period ranging from a minimum of 3 months up to 24 months.
If you are receiving unemployment benefits from another EU member state and wish to look for a job in Slovenia, you may do so and register at the Employment Service of Slovenia under certain conditions. Based on the application form E 303 available in your country of origin, you may look for a job in Slovenia for up to 3 months and, in this period, continue to receive unemployment benefits. The benefit amount will be determined as provided by the law of the member state you come from. The Slovenian Employment Service will require proof that you are actively seeking employment and are available for employment.
USEFUL LINKS:
Employment Service of Slovenia: http://www.ess.gov.si
Pension and Invalidity Insurance Institute of Slovenia: http://www.zpiz.si
The Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia: http://www.zzzs.si/
Association of Social Work Centres of Slovenia: http://www.gov.si/csd
Tax Administration of the Republic of Slovenia: http://www.durs.gov.si/
Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs: http://www.mddsz.gov.si/
Ministry of Public Administration: http://e-uprava.gov.si/e-uprava/en/portal.euprava
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