Most third-country nationals may obtain this permit only after one year of continuous lawful residence in the Republic of Slovenia, while some may obtain it earlier.

The consent of the Employment Service of Slovenia (ESS) is not required in the procedure for issuing or extending a single permit for the self-employment of a foreign national.

What is a single permit for self-employment and who is it intended for?

The single permit is issued on the basis of Article 37(b) of the Foreigners Act (ZTuj-2), which allows third-country nationals — that is, nationals who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland — to reside temporarily in the Republic of Slovenia for the purpose of carrying out a self-employed activity.

It is intended for persons who wish to operate in Slovenia as self-employed persons, for example as sole traders or in other comparable forms of activity, in accordance with Slovenian legislation.

You may apply for a single permit at an Administrative Unit. You may do this in person or through an authorised representative. 

How long will my single permit for self-employment be valid?

The single permit will be issued for a fixed period, but for no more than two years. To extend it, you must submit an application at the Administrative Unit before the expiry of the permit and meet all statutory conditions.

If you are applying for a single permit for self-employment as a subsequent permit, it shall be issued with a validity of two years.

What conditions must I meet to obtain a single permit for self-employment?

To be issued with a single permit, you must meet the general conditions for temporary residence that apply to all foreign nationals, as well as specific conditions related to self-employment.

General conditions under Article 33 of the Foreigners Act:

• a valid passport;
• appropriate health insurance;
• sufficient means of subsistence during your stay in the Republic of Slovenia;
• absence of grounds for refusal to issue the permit (e.g. security reasons).

Specific conditions for a self-employed person:

• at least one year of continuous lawful residence in Slovenia (unless you carry out an independent professional activity);
• registration of a self-employed activity in the Republic of Slovenia.

Mandatory documentation

You must enclose the following with your application for the issuance of a single permit for self-employment:

• a completed Application for the issuance or renewal of a single permit for self-employment form;
• an appropriate personal photograph (What is an appropriate photograph?);
• a valid passport (What is a valid passport?);
• proof of appropriate health insurance covering at least emergency healthcare services in the Republic of Slovenia (What is appropriate health insurance?);
• proof of sufficient means of subsistence (What constitutes sufficient means?);
• a certificate from the criminal record of your country of origin (Where can I obtain a criminal record certificate?);
• evidence of registration or intended registration of self-employment in the Republic of Slovenia;
• any other evidence required by the Administrative Unit depending on the specific case.

The procedure for submitting the application and documentation usually consists of the following steps:

1. Submission of the application with all required documentation at any Administrative Unit. 
2. Examination of the application by the Administrative Unit.
3. Decision on the issuance of the permit.
4. Personal collection of the permit in the form of a card.