Last updated: June 23, 2021
Dateline: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
One of our absolute favorite European countries, especially for citizenship by descent, is Slovenia.
And while the debate on whether it’s a “Little Austria” or a country in the far western Balkans is still on, no one can dispute that Slovenia is absolutely gorgeous.
Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana drips with as much charm as any other city in Europe, and Lake Bled and its surrounding mountainous area should make it onto everyone’s bucket list.
Plus, Slovenia is in the top 25 cheapest and safest countries to live in.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then you might want to see if you have any ancestral ties to Slovenia. They have Slovenian citizenship by descent program that might just qualify you for an European Union passport.
And while we do have other articles on Slovenian residency and citizenship, in this article, I’ll discuss how to get Slovenian citizenship by descent and how you can also pursue citizenship by marriage.
Slovenian Citizenship by Descent
Provided you can show personal ties with Slovenia and its culture, you can go back up to two generations to prove Slovenian ancestry and apply for a passport.
In the case of Slovenian citizenship by descent, you don’t need to demonstrate any period of residency, although you will need to demonstrate why you should be naturalized.
You should note that you will be required to give up your current citizenship, though there are a few exceptions.
To qualify for Slovenian citizenship by descent, you will need to meet one of the following scenarios:
- You are under 18 years old, born abroad, and have at least one parent that is a Slovenian citizen
- You are between 18 – 36 years old, born abroad, and have at least one parent that is a Slovenian citizen
- You are older than 36 years old, have at least one parent or grandparent that has been a Slovenian citizen, and you have an active connection with Slovenia such as trips to Slovenia, active in Slovenian associations, speaking the Slovene language etc.
Once you determine if you’re eligible for one of these scenarios, you will need to compile several documents to begin the lengthy application process. These documents include:
- Completed application form
- Applicable birth certificates
- Applicable marriage certificate(s)
- Criminal background check
- Passport
For the birth and marriage certificates, you will need to provide one for each person in the line of ancestors you are listing in your application. In addition to obtaining official copies, these certificates will also need an apostille seal.
You will also want to account for the amount of time it will take to obtain the criminal background check. First, it cannot be older than three months. Second, you need a federal-level document, which in the US would be a Federal Bureau of Investigation certificate of no criminal record.
But rest assured, to meet the passport requirement, you do not have to give up your passport. You can submit a copy of the biometric page as long as it also has an apostille seal.
Then, to prove you have an active connection with Slovenia, you will need to have been a member of a Slovenian-American association or activity for at least 5 years. That group will also need to confirm that you are an active member in good standing. And if you have any other documents, such as immigration records, letters, or emails, they can come in handy too. This will improve your chances of success for citizenship by descent in Slovenia.
Once your application is approved – likely several months later – you will need to take an oath of citizenship. This can be done in several Embassies of the Republic of Slovenia in the US. Afterward, you’ll be issued a Slovenian ID that will enable you to apply for your Slovenian passport.
Then, voila! You will be recognized as a Slovenian citizen.
And you’ll be able to enjoy other benefits of being a citizen, such as health care, voting rights, flat tax rates, and ease of access to other EU countries.
Slovenian Citizenship by Marriage
This is also another other way for obtaining Slovenian citizenship and that’s by marrying a Slovenian citizen.
Overall, marrying a foreigner is a great way to obtain a second citizenship, as long as you do it for the right reasons.
And marrying a Slovenian national offers one of the fastest paths to citizenship in Europe; you only need to prove that you’ve been married to a Slovenian for three years and reside in the country for one year before applying for citizenship.
You will still need to speak Slovenian, although you should have the benefit of 24/7 tutoring, for free.
Though, like the Slovenian citizenship by descent program, you will also have to renounce your current citizenship under this program.
To qualify for this option, you will need to submit several documents prior to getting married, such as:
- A birth certificate
- Confirmation that you are unmarried
- Confirmation that your state allows you to marry abroad
- A passport (or proof of citizenship)
Then, once you intend to marry, you have to inform the wedding registrar where you plan to get married. This is because marriages in Slovenia are public and conducted on official premises. However, there are some exceptions to this if there is a justifiable reason such as a serious illness.
Summary: Slovenian Citizenship by Descent
In sum, if you think you might have Slovenian ancestry and are interested in obtaining an EU passport, Slovenian citizenship by descent is worth looking into.
Many people in the US have ancestry from European countries and may be eligible for citizenship by descent programs.
With the Slovenian citizenship by descent program, you will get to live in a beautiful and safe country, all while gaining access to other EU countries.
Plus, Slovenia has one of the lowest permit application fees in Europe.
And if you want some help looking into your options for citizenship by descent, you’ve come to the right place.
At Nomad Capitalist our team of experts offers a service that helps our clients claim their Slovenian citizenship by descent.
With our trusted lawyers and agents on the ground, this service includes helping you to:
- Confirm eligibility
- Collect documents (from your country and from Slovenia)
- Deal with the bureaucracy
- File for citizenship
Reach out to us today. We’re ready to help.
