Slovenia
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 30 of 55, strongest on safety, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 22
- Affordability 78
- Safety 95
- Climate 88
- Expat community not verified70
1 of 6 axes rest on data we could not verify yet; those score a neutral 50 and are marked "not verified".
- Retirement visaNolegaltomove.com
- Min incomeLow (easier to meet)consiliojus.com
- Monthly budget~$1,600-1,700/momyglobal.si
- HealthcareGooden.wikipedia.org
- SafetyVery safeen.wikipedia.org
- Top citiesLjubljana, Piran, Bled
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessUniversal public system run by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS/ZZZS) and funded by mandatory contributions; citizens and registered residents have a right to equal access, though waiting times for specialists and dental care can be long.en.wikipedia.org
- Low cost of livingA single person's all-in living cost is commonly estimated around 1,600-1,700 EUR/month including rent, cheaper than most of Western Europe and the US.myglobal.si
- Safe for retireesRanked 4th on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 1.369), one of the most peaceful countries in the world and firmly in the 'high' state of peace.en.wikipedia.org
- Comfortable climateMixed climate: the western coast is transitional Mediterranean with mild winters, the interior is moderately continental with warm summers and cold winters, and the mountains are Alpine with heavy snow.climatestotravel.com
Watch out for
- No dedicated retirement visalegaltomove.com
- Expat community data not verified yet
Visa & residency
No dedicated retirement or passive-income visa; non-EU retirees use a temporary residence permit as a person of independent means (via a long-stay D visa), renewable annually and leading to permanent residence after five years. EU/EEA citizens have free movement.
Applicants must show sufficient means of subsistence (broadly tied to Slovenia's basic monthly income, in the region of ~900 EUR/month) plus health insurance and proof of accommodation; a modest bar by Western-European standards.
A foreigner seeking temporary residence needs a travel document valid at least three months beyond the stay, adequate health insurance covering emergency care, sufficient means of subsistence, and proof of the purpose of stay; the permit is renewed annually.
Healthcare
Universal public system run by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS/ZZZS) and funded by mandatory contributions; citizens and registered residents have a right to equal access, though waiting times for specialists and dental care can be long.
Most residents historically added inexpensive supplementary insurance (about 30 EUR/month) to cover co-payments on top of the mandatory scheme.
Cost of living
A single person's all-in living cost is commonly estimated around 1,600-1,700 EUR/month including rent, cheaper than most of Western Europe and the US.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Ljubljana averages roughly 1,100 EUR/month, with cheaper options in suburbs and smaller cities like Maribor or Celje.
Safety
Ranked 4th on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 1.369), one of the most peaceful countries in the world and firmly in the 'high' state of peace.
Climate
Mixed climate: the western coast is transitional Mediterranean with mild winters, the interior is moderately continental with warm summers and cold winters, and the mountains are Alpine with heavy snow.
Community & language
No verified data yet
Slovenia consistently scores in the 'very high' proficiency band of the EF English Proficiency Index, so English is widely spoken, especially among younger people and in Ljubljana.
Slovene is the official language, with Italian and Hungarian recognised as co-official in certain bilingual municipalities; Slovenia is an EU member.
Taxes
A Slovenian tax resident pays personal income tax on worldwide income, including foreign pensions; non-residents are taxed only on Slovenian-source income.
Foreign tax paid on non-Slovenian-source income may be credited against Slovenian tax under domestic rules or an applicable double-tax treaty; Slovenia maintains a broad treaty network covering partners such as the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada and Australia.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Slovenia tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Ljubljana
The green, walkable capital between the Alps and the Karst, with an intact historic centre, extensive parks and pedestrian riverside; UNESCO-recognised for its human-centred urban design and high quality of life.
Piran
A picturesque Adriatic resort town on the Gulf of Piran with preserved Venetian-Gothic medieval streets and a mild Mediterranean setting around Tartini Square.
Bled
An alpine lake resort town with a glacial lake, island pilgrimage church and cliff-top castle, developed as a health resort in the 19th century and set beside Triglav National Park.
Questions about retiring in Slovenia
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Slovenia have a retirement visa?
No dedicated retirement visa. Retirement is handled through a general residence route: No dedicated retirement or passive-income visa; non-EU retirees use a temporary residence permit as a person of independent means (via a long-stay D visa), renewable annually and leading to permanent residence after five years. EU/EEA citizens have free movement..
gov.si- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Slovenia?
As a guide: Applicants must show sufficient means of subsistence (broadly tied to Slovenia's basic monthly income, in the region of ~900 EUR/month) plus health insurance and proof of accommodation; a modest bar by Western-European standards. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
consiliojus.com- Is healthcare good for expats in Slovenia?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Universal public system run by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS/ZZZS) and funded by mandatory contributions; citizens and registered residents have a right to equal access, though waiting times for specialists and dental care can be long. On cost: Most residents historically added inexpensive supplementary insurance (about 30 EUR/month) to cover co-payments on top of the mandatory scheme.
en.wikipedia.org- How expensive is it to retire in Slovenia?
Lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is A single person's all-in living cost is commonly estimated around 1,600-1,700 EUR/month including rent, cheaper than most of Western Europe and the US.
myglobal.si- Is Slovenia safe?
Very safe. Ranked 4th on the 2026 Global Peace Index (score 1.369), one of the most peaceful countries in the world and firmly in the 'high' state of peace.
en.wikipedia.org- What is the climate like in Slovenia?
The climate is Continental with Mediterranean and Alpine zones. Mixed climate: the western coast is transitional Mediterranean with mild winters, the interior is moderately continental with warm summers and cold winters, and the mountains are Alpine with heavy snow.
climatestotravel.com- Where do retirees live in Slovenia?
Popular retirement spots include Ljubljana, Piran and Bled.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Slovenia with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
