How to start a business in Slovenia as a foreigner (2026)

Legal framework

Companies Act (Zakon o gospodarskih družbah, ZGD-1); SPOT one-stop-shop portal (spot.gov.si) operated by AJPES (Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Public Legal Records and Related Services); Investment Promotion Act (Zakon o spodbujanju investicij, ZSInv) for FDI screening

Key points: starting a business in Slovenia

1. 01Foreign ownership limits

   No restrictions on foreign ownership or mandatory local-partner requirement exist for most sectors. Full (100%) foreign ownership of a d.o.o. is permitted. Sector-specific FDI screening applies at the ≥10% acquisition threshold in defence, critical energy, and telecoms infrastructure under the ZSInv.

   poslovniportal.si state.gov iclg.com

2. 02Minimum share capital

   A d.o.o. (LLC) requires a minimum share capital of €7,500, which must be deposited into a Slovenian bank account prior to finalising registration. A sole trader (s.p.) has no minimum capital requirement.

   spot.gov.si state.gov

3. 03Registration process & timeline

   Company registration is handled entirely online via the SPOT portal (spot.gov.si) using a digital certificate (SI-PASS), is free of charge, and AJPES issues the registration decision within 2-3 business days of the proposed entry date. Physical SPOT points are also available for in-person assistance.

   spot.gov.si spot.gov.si

4. 04Non-EU national pre-requisites

   Before registering, non-EU nationals must obtain a Slovenian tax number from the Financial Administration (FURS). A registered business address in Slovenia must also be secured prior to filing the application.

   spot.gov.si fu.gov.si

5. 05Work & residence permits for non-EU founders

   Non-EU nationals who will serve as director/manager must obtain a work permit for a foreign representative (ZRSZ-TUJ-3 form) from the Employment Service of Slovenia. Majority owners holding ≥51% of shares may instead obtain an employment permit without a labour market test. These permit steps occur before or alongside company registration. EU/EEA nationals have equal rights to Slovenian citizens and require no permit.

   spot.gov.si ess.gov.si

6. 06FDI screening

   Under the ZSInv (as amended by Official Gazettes nos 13/18, 204/21, 29/22, 65/23), direct or indirect acquisition of ≥10% of share capital or voting rights in Slovenian entities operating in sensitive sectors (defence, energy, critical infrastructure, telecoms) triggers mandatory screening, aligned with EU Regulation 2019/452. Greenfield investments creating a new entity with ≥10% foreign ownership in these sectors are also covered.

   iclg.com pisrs.si

Sources

1. 1.spot.gov.si/en/info/how-can-non-eu-nationals-start-a-business-in-slovenia
2. 2.spot.gov.si/en/info/company-registration/how-to-register-a-company-in-slovenia
3. 3.fu.gov.si/en/business_events_businesses/coming_to_slovenia
4. 4.fu.gov.si/en/business_events_businesses/registration_of_the_activity/
5. 5.ess.gov.si/en/jobseekers/employment-of-non-eu-migrant-workers/work-in-slovenia/s
6. 6.poslovniportal.si/en/doing-business-slovenia/iii-foreign-investment-regime
7. 7.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/slovenia
8. 8.iclg.com/practice-areas/foreign-direct-investment-regimes-laws-and-regulations
9. 9.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO3745
10. 10.spot.gov.si/en/topics/the-general-instructions-for-completing-applications-via-th