Living in Ljubljana

The methods and conditions for entering the Republic of Slovenia differ depending on whether the person entering the country is a citizen of a Member State of the European Union or a third-country national. If you are staying in Slovenia for longer than three months, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. The procedure for obtaining a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying is a separate procedure over which the University of Ljubljana has no influence.

EU or EEA citizens must apply for a residence certificate within the first three months in Slovenia if they are staying here for longer than three months. The procedure usually takes a few months.

Swiss citizens must apply for a residence certificate within the first three months in Slovenia if they are staying here for longer than three months. The procedure usually takes a few months.

Non-EU&EEA citizens who wish to enter and stay in the Republic of Slovenia for tourism, business, personal visit, employment, study, family reunification or other forms or purposes of stay must obtain a visa (if required for entry into Slovenia) or a residence permit from a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia abroad before entering the Republic of Slovenia.

The most up-to-date information are available on the website of the University of Ljubljana.

Slovenia has a public healthcare system which offers a variety of medical services. The type of health insurance you have may completely or partially cover the payment of medical services such as emergency medical care, general medical examinations, prescription medication and specialist services. If you need medical help you should usually see a general practitioner at a health centre. Before travelling to Slovenia, students should make sure they have adequate health insurance cover (including accident and liability insurance) and a sufficient supply of any prescription medication they might need. 

International students coming from EU, EEA Member countries, United Kingdom and Switzerland

During their stay in Slovenia, international students who are covered by health insurance in one of the EU Member States, the EEA and Switzerland are entitled to emergency or necessary healthcare services upon presentation of the relevant documents - the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a certificate issued by a competent state that replaces the EHIC.

International students coming from Australia

During their stay in Slovenia, students with valid health insurance in Australia are entitled to emergency care from healthcare providers who have signed an agreement with the Health Insurance Institute Slovenia. They must present their Australian MEDICARE card and passport, which will be used to verify the identity of the insured person from Australia.

International students coming from Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro

These international students have free access only to emergency healthcare services in the Republic of Slovenia upon submission of evidence of their status. The Republic of Slovenia has concluded bilateral Social Insurance Agreements with the Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Serbia, and Montenegro. As a rule, a foreign insured person must submit sample form RM/SI 3, BIH/SI 3, SRB/SI 03 or MNE/SI 03 to the regional unit of the Health Insurance Institute Slovenia. The Health Insurance Institute Slovenia issues a MedZZ certificate which allows students access to emergency medical services from healthcare service providers who have a contract with the Health Insurance Institute Slovenia. Exceptionally, i.e. in cases of major emergency, a foreign insured person may exercise their right to healthcare services with one of the above mentioned forms directly at the doctor’s office and medical institutions.

International students from other countries or without insurance

Students not having health insurance in one of the EU countries, EEA, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia or countries with bilateral agreement on social security with Slovenia, take out the compulsory health insurance based on the Article 15 point 14 of the Health Care and Health Insurance Act as a foreign citizen who is studying or training in the Republic of Slovenia and is not insured on any other basis for compulsory insurance.

A student can arrange registration for health insurance at one of the regional units of the ZZZS using the M-1 application form. Based on their inclusion in the health insurance system of Slovenia, international students receive Slovene Health Insurance Card that provides healthcare services within the scope of compulsory health insurance from healthcare providers in the framework of the public health care system.

Additional information can be found on the Heath Insurance Institute website and Student Health Centre of the University of Ljubljana website.

International students who wish to open a bank account in Slovenia (in order to work through a student job centre, receive a scholarship from a Slovenian institution, etc.) need a tax identification number. In order to obtain the Slovenian tax number, students with permanent or temporary residence in the Republic of Slovenia need to submit an application for entry of the individual into the tax register (DR-02 FORM) to the financial office.

Further information:

• Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia
• Ljubljana Financial Office

Unfortunately, the University of Ljubljana does not offer student accommodation, but there are still a variety of housing options in the city. Finding private accommodation in Ljubljana can be very challenging, so it is advisable to start your search well in advance. As Ljubljana is a small city, it is advisable to look for options outside the city centre, as rents tend to be more expensive there. Prices range from €200 to €700, depending on the size, location, and whether you are sharing the room with other student(s). 

We recommend that you contact the International Office of the UL Student Organisation and the Erasmus Student Network before your arrival, as they can provide you with information about private accommodation options.

The biggest benefit of being a student in Ljubljana is the system of subsidised student meals (student coupons). The system is used in the majority of restaurants in Ljubljana and also in other cities in Slovenia.

Students receive as many subsidies per month as there are working days in the month and can can use up to two subsidies per day, with at least 4 hours between using one subsidy and the other.

The registration procedure is completed in person at the student meal office once the student is in Ljubljana. During the activation into the subsidised student nutrition (SŠP) system, the cell phone becomes the identification tool for using student meals, and the use of the service is free. If students do not want to use their mobile phones for identification, they can buy a contactless smartcard at the student meals office.

Additional information are available on the Student Subsidized Nutrition (SŠP) system website. 

Ljubljana is very easy to explore on foot and there is a good public transport network covering the city and all the main suburbs. The most effective means of public transport in Ljubljana are the city bus and city bikes.

Subsidised bus pass (Urbana)

Students of the University of Ljubljana are entitled to the subsidised bus pass (Urbana), which costs 20 EUR per month. The pass is valid from the first day of the month to the first day of the next month, e.g. 1 October - 1 November. To obtain the monthly student pass, students must visit the LPP Information Centre (Potniški center LPP) at Slovenska 56 (Bavarski dvor).

Bicycle system (BicikeLJ)

Ljubljana has established a bicycle system called BicikeLJ. Bicycles are available all days of the year (24/7); the first hour is for free. When registered and subscribed, you can use it without any limitations. Stations are some 300 to 500 meters apart and connected via terminals. Stations are easily accessible (near shopping malls, bus stops, and so on) and ideal for overcoming short distances. It is easy to rent and return a bike with this system. You can register into the system weekly (for 1€) or yearly (for 3€).       

To live comfortably during your stay in Slovenia, you will need at least 500 EUR per month for living expenses; actual expenses depend on individual lifestyle.

• Accommodation: 150 - 350 EUR (private shared accommodation)
• Food: 200-300 EUR (subsidised meals in restaurants and groceries); the average price for a subsidised meal is 3 EUR;
• Public transport: 20 EUR (monthly Urbana bus pass); up to 30 EUR for a second-hand bicycle; bicycle system BicikeLJ (annual subscription is 3 EUR; first hour of bicycle use is free);
• Additional expenses: excursions, parties, sports and other activities

TOTAL: approx. 500 - 700 EUR/month

Having a student status allows you to work temporarily (part-time) via student job centres or, rather, a job referral note. These are a special type of contract, which can be obtained from employment agencies specialized for student work. Agencies, called Student Services (SS), offer lists of available student jobs and take care of payments. There are many different agencies around Slovenia. You can also work via the Student Service agency if you are a student from a foreign country and are living in Slovenia through international exchange programmes (studying or internship).

More information about the Student Service agency and student work