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Retiring in Slovenia

Residency routes, healthcare and pension tax · EUR

Routes to residency

Healthcare

Foreign residents on long-stay visas are not automatically covered by Slovenia's public health insurance (run by ZZZS/HIIS) unless they are employed, self-employed, or otherwise fall under a category that triggers mandatory enrollment (e.g., via an employer) or a bilateral social security agreement; most non-EU long-stay visa holders must instead hold private/compliant health insurance to obtain or maintain their residence permit.

Private health insurance is a condition of residency in Slovenia.

Non-EU nationals applying for a Slovenian long-stay (D) visa or residence permit must show valid health insurance covering the stay and must remain insured for the duration of residence; providers such as Feather and April International offer visa-compliant expat plans covering GP visits, specialist care and hospitalization.

US Medicare: US Medicare generally does not cover medical care received in Slovenia; Medicare coverage is limited almost entirely to the United States, with only very narrow exceptions (e.g., certain cases involving Canada or Mexico), so retirees relying on Medicare must arrange separate local or international health coverage for care in Slovenia.

Pension income tax

Slovenia taxes foreign pension income of its residents.

Slovenia taxes its tax residents on worldwide income, including foreign pensions; residents receiving a pension from abroad (non-Slovenian payer) must file a 'Tax return for assessing the personal income tax prepayment on pension income for residents' with the Financial Administration (FURS), and the pension is subject to Slovenian personal income tax under the general progressive PIT schedule, with relief for foreign tax already paid where applicable.

There is a US income tax treaty with Slovenia.

The US-Slovenia income tax treaty addresses pensions and social security under Article 19 ('Pensions, Social Security, Annuities, Alimony, and Child Support'), which, subject to the government-service provisions of Article 19(2), generally allocates taxing rights over private pension distributions to the recipient's state of residence; a separate US-Slovenia Social Security Totalization Agreement also governs social security benefit payments and coverage between the two countries.

Sources: I reside in Slovenia and receive my pension from abroad (FURS) · I work and receive income from abroad (FURS) · TAX CONVENTION WITH SLOVENIA (IRS) · Slovenia Treasury explanation (IRS) · International Programs - U.S.-Slovene Social Security Agreement - Article 7 (SSA) · Expat Health Insurance for Slovenia - Visa-Compliant Cover (Feather) · Health Insurance in Slovenia (April International)

Checked Oct 2026

Customs & etiquette

• Formal handshake greeting — When meeting someone, especially for the first time, greet with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a polite smile. Shake hands with women first when greeting a mixed group, and shake hands again when parting. First names are typically used only once a Slovenian colleague or acquaintance invites it.
• Bringing flowers and wine to a dinner invitation — If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring flowers for the hostess and a bottle of wine for the host. Gifts should be nicely wrapped, and there are no strict color restrictions to worry about.
• Removing shoes indoors — When visiting a Slovenian home, expect to remove your shoes at the door; hosts commonly provide slippers for guests to wear inside. This reflects a broader value placed on keeping homes clean and tidy.
• Punctuality for social and business occasions — Arrive on time, or within about five minutes of the agreed time, for both social visits and business meetings, as punctuality signals respect for your host or counterpart. Dress casually smart for informal home visits, similar to what you might wear to the office.
• Separating business from personal socializing — Slovenians generally keep their business and personal lives distinct, so it is best to let a social occasion remain social. Save detailed business discussions for the office or a scheduled meeting rather than raising them at a dinner or social gathering.
• Using titles and surnames — Address people using their professional or academic title plus surname, as titles are seen as denoting personal achievement and are used respectfully. If someone has no specific title, use the honorifics 'Gospa' (Madam) or 'Gospod' (Sir) with their surname until invited to use first names.

Religion

Catholic 69% · Orthodox 4% · Muslim 3% · Christian 1% · other 3% · atheist 14%

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Reference information compiled from the sources cited above and reviewed by hand. Immigration, healthcare and tax rules change and are applied at the authorities' discretion — confirm with the consulate, an immigration adviser or a tax adviser before making plans. Nothing here is tax or immigration advice.

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