When Slovenia declared independence in 1991, it also created its own rules for nationality. That raised an important question for the many Slovenian emigrants who had left decades earlier: what about their children and grandchildren abroad? Could they claim Slovenian citizenship too?
Slovenian law does allow Slovenian citizenship by descent, but compared to some surrounding countries, the rules are much narrower. If your Slovenian parent is still recognized as a citizen, the path is relatively clear. If your connection is through a grandparent, you may still have a chance – but only if you can prove ties to Slovenia and convince the Slovenian government (Minister of the interior) that your application reflects a genuine link to the country.
This article unpacks how Slovenian citizenship by descent works, who qualifies, and what you should know before starting an application.
Why Slovenian Citizenship by Descent Matters
Slovenian citizenship brings practical advantages and symbolic meaning:
- European Union rights: As a citizen of Slovenia, you become an EU citizen. That means you can live, work, and study anywhere in the EU without visas or residence permits.
- Travel freedom: The Slovenian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries
- Public benefits: You can access Slovenia’s public health and education systems.
- Heritage connection: Citizenship formalizes your ties to Slovenia, which for many emigrant families represents a return to roots after generations abroad.
For families whose grandparents left Slovenia during the 20th century, especially to countries like Argentina, Canada, Australia, or the United States, this question of descent is both personal and practical.
Children of Slovenian Citizens
The clearest group of eligible applicants are children of Slovenian citizens.
If at least one of your parents was a Slovenian citizen at the time of your birth, you are entitled to Slovenian citizenship. It doesn’t matter if you were born in Slovenia or abroad — what matters is your parent’s status under jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline).
- Example: Katarina was born in Toronto in 1998. Her mother was a Slovenian citizen who had emigrated in the 1980s but never renounced her nationality. Even though Katarina has lived in Canada her whole life, she is entitled to Slovenian citizenship by descent. To be recognized, she must register her birth with Slovenian authorities and apply for confirmation of citizenship through the Slovenian embassy in her country of residence.
This path is relatively straightforward, but it does require paperwork. Births abroad must be recorded in the Slovenian civil registry.
Grandchildren of Slovenian Citizens
For grandchildren, the law is less generous. You do not automatically qualify for citizenship just because a grandparent was Slovenian. Instead, you may apply under Article 12 of the Slovenian Citizenship Act, which allows “descendants up to the second generation” to be granted citizenship if they can prove a genuine connection to Slovenia.
What does “genuine connection” mean in practice? The Ministry looks at factors such as:
- Language: Do you speak Slovene, or have you studied it?
- Residence: Have you ever lived in Slovenia, even temporarily under a permanent residence or residence permit?
- Cultural ties: Do you participate in Slovenian cultural or community associations abroad?
- Family presence: Do you have close relatives who are still citizens and live in Slovenia?
This requirement is not just a formality. Authorities have rejected applications when they feel the applicant’s only motivation is the passport, with no meaningful ties.
- Example: Andrej, born in Buenos Aires, is the grandson of Slovenian emigrants. He grew up in a Slovenian-Argentine community, attended language classes, and visits Slovenia regularly to see cousins. These activities show ligacija — a living connection to the country. His application has a strong chance of success.
- By contrast, someone with no language ability, no cultural connection, and no contact with Slovenia beyond ancestry records may struggle to convince the Ministry.
Great-Grandchildren and Beyond
For great-grandchildren, the path essentially closes. Slovenia does not allow automatic claims through great-grandparents. The only way citizenship passes beyond the grandchild generation is if each generation in between registered and maintained their Slovenian nationality.
- Example: If your great-grandmother was Slovenian but your grandparent and parent never registered as citizens, you cannot apply directly. If, however, your parent registered their citizenship before you were born, then you would qualify as the child of a Slovenian citizen.
This generational cut-off is one of the key differences between Slovenia and countries like Italy, which allow unlimited descent through the bloodline.
Special Considerations for Emigrants
When Slovenia became independent in 1991, it recognized a special group: “emigrants” and their immediate descendants. This was aimed at Slovenian emigrants who had left before independence. Descendants in this category may benefit from reduced residency requirements if they choose to naturalize by living in Slovenia.
For example, while most foreigners must live in Slovenia for 10 years before applying for naturalization, descendants of emigrants may apply after just one year of residence. This creates an alternative pathway for those who do not qualify directly through descent, particularly through the immigration program that supports heritage applicants with a permanent residence route.
Legal Framework
Slovenian nationality is governed by the Slovenian Citizenship Act (Zakon o državljanstvu Republike Slovenije, 1991, as amended). Key provisions include:
- Article 4: Children of at least one Slovenian parent are citizens by descent.
- Article 12: Descendants up to the second generation abroad (grandchildren) may apply if they show ties.
- Articles 13–14: Provide facilitated naturalization routes for emigrants and their descendants under permanent residence provisions.
Application Pathways
If you think you qualify for Slovenian citizenship through ancestry, here are the possible routes:
- Children of citizens – File for citizenship recognition by registering your birth abroad in the Slovenian civil registry.
- Grandchildren of citizens – Apply under Article 12 with evidence of ties to Slovenia. This is discretionary, not automatic.
- Great-grandchildren and others – Consider naturalization by residence. If you are of Slovenian origin, residency requirements are reduced to 1 year.
Why Slovenia’s Rules Are Stricter
Slovenia is a small country with a population of just over 2 million. By limiting citizenship by descent primarily to children and sometimes grandchildren, the law ensures a balance between heritage recognition and practical ties to the state. Other European citizens from larger countries may have more open eligibility, but Slovenia maintains a focused, heritage-based system rooted in family lineage and the principle of jus sanguinis.
FAQ
Does Slovenia allow dual citizenship?
Yes, but with restrictions. Children of Slovenians may hold dual nationality without issue. Adults naturalizing under discretionary provisions may be required to renounce other citizenships, unless exempted.
What if my parent lost their Slovenian citizenship before I was born?
You may not qualify automatically, but in some cases you can apply under Article 12 if you can demonstrate ties.
Do I need to speak Slovene?
For children, no. For grandchildren applying under Article 12, Slovene language ability is a strong factor in proving ties.
Can great-grandchildren apply?
Only if the chain of citizenship was preserved through the parent and grandparent. Otherwise, no.
Reconnecting With Slovenian Roots
Applying for Slovenian citizenship can be both a personal and legal journey — one that restores your link to your ancestors and grants you the benefits of being part of the European Union. Whether through ancestry, an immigration program, or naturalization supported by permanent residence, obtaining citizenship allows you to participate in the rich cultural and civic life of Slovenia.
If you’re ready to start your Slovenian citizenship application, consult your local Slovenian embassy for detailed requirements and guidance tailored to your family history and background.
Important Note
Slovenian citizenship by descent is not automatic beyond the first generation. Every application is reviewed carefully, and discretionary cases depend on proving ties.
We recommend starting with our $250 full service guide and consulting a trusted citizenship expert before applying.
2 Responses
If an ancestor changed name after emigrating (or after marriage), was there difficulty because of name discrepancies? What type of evidence can one provide to prove identity continuity?
Hi Igor, thank you for your message!
Generally speaking, it was quite common for there to be minor discrepancies between an ancestor’s name in their country of birth and how it was then recorded in their country of emigration. For minor name changes that still resemble the ancestor’s original name (ex: Johann to John, or Margaretha to Margaret), additional documentation to support said “name change” would not generally be expected from our experience. That said, if an ancestor underwent a major name change that does not resemble their name on documentation in their country of origin, it is best to search for official name change paperwork that can support that this is the same ancestor. Required practices largely vary from country to country.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions!