How do Russian migrants live in beautiful and friendly Slovenia?

Slovenia is a state in Eastern Europe, which is often compared to classic Western European countries. All their values ​​- moderation, respect for others, obedience to the law - are also characteristic of Slovenia. This small and cozy country with a population of only 2 million people often becomes a gateway for immigrants to other Western European countries. This is used by many foreigners who come to Slovenia. Nevertheless, life in this civilized and beautiful European region attracts Russian migrants with average incomes. Therefore, it is worth considering the pros and cons of moving to the country and the living conditions it provides.

Slovenia and migrants

It is no secret that many people use Slovenia as a kind of “springboard” for resettlement to other Western European countries. After all, the country is not only a member of the European Union, but also signed the Schengen Agreement. This “border” status has led to many migrants considering Slovenia only for a transit stay. This entailed a tightening of the country's migration legislation. Moving here to live is very difficult. And this, in turn, was reflected in the increase in migration, which in 2015 amounted to only 798 people. Statistics show that for several years in a row fewer and fewer foreigners have been moving to Slovenia.

In total, about 100,000 foreigners live in Slovenia, that is, every twentieth resident is a foreigner . Basically it is a mononational state. Most of the emigrants who settled here came from neighboring countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia and Kosovo. Therefore, outwardly they do not stand out very much from the locals.

Tightening immigration policy

In the twenty years that have passed since the state's independence, laws regulating the entry of foreigners into the country have become increasingly harsh. For illegal residence and work in Slovenia, the violator faces serious fines, imprisonment and deportation. Employers who use illegal labor will also be in big trouble. And since September 1, 2015, new immigration legislation has made life even more difficult for those wishing to settle in the country. The two main laws under which newcomers lived in the state have changed - the “Immigration Law” and the “Law on the Employment of Foreign Citizens.” Since October 2015, after Hungary closed its borders to refugees from Syria, more than 400 thousand people have arrived in Slovenia. Therefore, the country adopted restrictions on the entry of migrants. But they only concern the massive influx of asylum seekers who arrive in Slovenia without an entry permit.

The 2015 crisis due to the influx of Syrian refugees led to restrictions on the entry of migrants into the country

Life in Slovenia from the point of view of an ordinary person

Slovenia has a very calm environment. There are no political conflicts characteristic of other countries that were part of the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia has a very decent standard of living, especially when compared with other Eastern European countries, even the prosperous Czech Republic. Although the country is small, its economy is developing rapidly. The tourism industry is especially promising. Mechanical engineering and manufacturing industries are at a high level. But there is a recession in the country, salaries are low and the high cost of living “eats up” almost all of them. The average Slovenian's net income after taxes is $19,326 per year ($1,610 per month). This is less than the average salary in the European Union. There is a very big difference between the incomes of the rich and the poor.

Slovenia is located in Eastern Europe, but in terms of living standards it approaches a Western European country

Standard of living

63% of working-age citizens of Slovenia are employed . This is also lower than in Europe as a whole, where on average 65% of the working-age population is employed. Education in the state is free for citizens and foreigners with a residence permit. The level of training itself is very good and provides excellent professional skills. 85% of Slovenians have completed secondary school, which exceeds the European figure. Girls are superior to boys in terms of knowledge. And the life expectancy of the country’s citizens coincides with the average European one - 80 years. Although Slovenians are not very satisfied with their lot in life, they rate their lives at 5.7 on a scale of ten, while the European average is 6.5.

Despite the crisis, people travel, build houses, buy housing, and bank loans with acceptable conditions. The outskirts of Ljubljana are very beautiful, decent villages with developed infrastructure, a lot of private houses are being built, there are, of course, those that have frozen construction. The crisis has affected unemployment - it has now increased, and therefore there are many people who are ready to work not for a lot of money.

Oleg

https://forum.kompromata.net/post_314_16.html

Climate

The climate in Slovenia is very favorable for health. The country has an ideal geographical location: it has access to the Adriatic Sea, but there is no too much heat in the summer . Fishing villages and medieval towns attract tourists. A large percentage of the country's territory is occupied by national parks, mountains and ski resorts. From here, from the very center of Europe, it is inexpensive and easy to travel to neighboring Austria, Croatia, and Italy.

Slovenia has mountains, sea, and historical sights

Ecology and nature

Slovenia is considered one of the most environmentally friendly countries in Europe. Its natural resources are very diverse. Although the state is small in size, it has mountainous, flat, and forest landscapes. In the north of the country there are Alpine ridges with lakes and snow-capped peaks. In the south there are forests with valuable species of coniferous trees. Among the agricultural landscapes, vineyards delight the eye, and in addition to lakes, streams and waterfalls, there are also many thermal springs. The country was even called “Slavic Switzerland” for its beautiful views.

What kind of people are these Slovenians?

At first glance, Slovenians may seem closed and uncommunicative, although in practice this is not the case. They don't laugh loudly or yell in the streets. They do not like conversations related to material wealth or family problems. However, it is customary for them to communicate on the topic of career or profession. Slovenians are people who value family comfort. They love to have “family” dinners on weekends - at home or in a restaurant. But in this country, when going to a cafe together, everyone pays their own bill, regardless of gender.

Video: discover Slovenia

At the same time, local residents are friendly and ready to help solve any problem. Slovenes' favorite pastime is drinking coffee on the terraces. They also organize working meetings there. Nightlife in Slovenia is not very popular, and therefore most establishments close at ten in the evening. The exception is Ljubljana with its party bars and areas where you can walk until midnight or even until the morning. But it's safe here. Children of five to seven years old go to school on buses themselves, and the things left behind, and even money, will not be stolen. Slovenians love flowers very much. They decorate streets, squares, and courtyards of private houses.

Drinking coffee on terraces is a Slovenian custom

Transport

Slovenia has three major airports: Ljubljana, Maribor and Portorož, but there is no domestic air service. The most popular modes of transport in Slovenia are road and rail transport. A 2nd class train trip from Ljubljana to Maribor costs 12 €, a 1st class train trip costs 18 €. The trip takes 1 hour 45 minutes. The cost of travel by bus is 2.5-3 hours, the fare is 11 €.

Gasoline cost

There are tolls for driving on expressways in Slovenia. The fare depends on the time the road is used and the type of transport. There are no tolls for regular roads. The average price per liter of gasoline in Slovenia is 1.36 euros, which is comparable to the world average.

Russians in Slovenia

According to various statistical data, from 700 to 1,120 immigrants from the Russian Federation currently live in Slovenia. There is no diaspora here, and migrants from Russia are very scattered throughout the country. In recent years, the number of visitors from the Russian Federation has increased slightly, but their number is still small.

Russians came to Slovenia for various reasons: they got married, found work, opened a business. But the main thing that unites the Russians who remain to live in Slovenia is the search for a quiet and peaceful oasis, where a language similar to their native one sounds, and the local mentality is not so different. People come here to hide from large cities with their bustle, stress and crime. And some decided to live in Slovenia because of its good medicine, ecology and quality products. And one more thing: this country is considered very promising for having and raising children.

Where do migrants from Russia live?

Researchers claim that there are four types of Russian migrants in Slovenia:

• “taken root here”;
• those who travel to Russia and back;
• business immigrants;
• people considering Slovenia as a spare country for moving further to Europe.

Mostly Russians live in large cities of Slovenia (if you can call the settlements of this country such) - Ljubljana, Kranj, Maribor, Koper, Celje. Those with high incomes move to the vicinity of the high mountain lakes - Bled and Bohinj - or to the sea.

Video: Russian emigration to Slovenia

Work in Slovenia for Russians - difficulties and prospects

Russian migrants find employment in the same way as all foreigners. To obtain a work permit, the law requires the provision of a special guarantee from the person or employer organization. The validity period of such a permit usually does not exceed one year. Foreigners have no chance of getting a good, well-paid job in Slovenia. They are often offered jobs that require hard unskilled labor: construction, sawmill, wood processing, and so on. Mostly migrants work as seasonal workers in agriculture, since such positions do not attract local residents, and therefore foreigners are hired there. Obtaining a work permit and residence permit takes on average three to four months.

Some nuances of employment: reviews

Despite the fact that Slovenia is a tourist country, it is impossible for visitors to find work in this area. However, there is always demand in the market for highly specialized skilled labor. Programmers, IT specialists, doctors, psychologists can always count on there being jobs for them.

They earn 600–800 euros “net” from unskilled work, but to live for pleasure, you need to earn at least 1,200 euros per month. Those who open a business in this country often rent out real estate, invest in restaurants and mini-hotels, and freight transport.

The working day here begins earlier than in Russia, but often ends at four in the evening. People here know how to value not only making money, but tranquility and leisure.

It is easy to move to Slovenia for those who work remotely or have an established business in Russia, since finding work in Slovenia is not so easy for a number of reasons. Firstly, in Slovenia there is something from little England: if a Slovenian’s socket burns out, he calls his Slovenian electrician friend, if he wants to eat, he goes to the bakery that belongs to the uncle of his childhood friend, and so on. Such a small family contract. At the same time, Slovenians are very cosmopolitan, they love Russians and there are many who know Russian; in some schools it was previously taught as a foreign language. There are very few available jobs, which is actually why emigrants from the African continent do not come here. But if there is a good engineer in the family, a highly sought-after specialist, you can find a job. I know a Ukrainian here who specializes in programming some highly specialized automotive equipment. He sent in his resume and was hired. Communicates in English here.

July

https://forum.littleone.ru/showthread.php?t=6375038

Slovenian university - the road to life

Getting an education at a Slovenian university also opens up access to a career. After four or six years of study (this depends on the theoretical or practical course of study), the student can enter graduate school or get a job. With a diploma from a Slovenian university, this is much easier to do. In addition, higher education obtained in this country entitles you to various scholarships from European universities and the opportunity for further study.

Is it easy for Russians to adapt?

In general, Russian immigrants believe that the cost of food in Slovenia is approximately the same as in large Russian cities, gasoline is more expensive, and things are cheaper. In addition, Russians find it difficult to adapt to the short distances between Slovenian cities and crowds of people on narrow streets. Nevertheless, the people of Russia are very close to the culture, mentality and customs of the Slovenians. The products here are familiar, yet high quality and produced for local consumption. Supplies of cheap tomatoes from Holland or peaches from Spain are unpopular in this country.

Slovenians value simplicity and unpretentiousness

What will you have to get used to?

It’s still not easy for Russians to get used to the relaxed local life, where everything is so safe that you don’t even need to insure your car against theft. And one more important point that Russian citizens note with surprise: despite the difference between rich and poor, the boundaries between social classes have been erased. If you have money, then before the law you are absolutely equal to the poorest Slovenian. There are no special clinics or others here. In Slovenia, it is not customary to show off fashionable branded items, expensive watches or premium cars. People here dress simply - jeans, tracksuits, jackets, and almost no one wears formal dresses, with the exception of Ljubljana. Real estate is also very difficult to sell due to high prices.

The cleaning lady comes to your place for an audit. Many former compatriots are wondering: how is it possible to wash floors and drive the same car that I have? This offends some, surprises others. In fact, the cleaner is the owner of the same cleaning company where she herself works and earns good money. In local restaurants, you will often find the owner of the establishment personally serving guests. In general, such examples are all over the place. Houses with sea views are owned not only by wealthy businessmen, but mostly ordinary citizens live in these houses, who inherit these houses from generation to generation.

zhenshen3d

https://zhenshen3d.livejournal.com/8610.html

How to have fun in Slovenia

Migrants from Russia complain that Slovenia does not have the same entertainment opportunities as in Moscow or St. Petersburg. If at home Russians prefer to go to restaurants, theaters and cinema on weekends, then here it is customary to go to the mountains, lakes and walk through the forests. Joint trips with children to nature are very popular. Moreover, the roads in Slovenia are even better than in neighboring Austria or Italy. Any interesting place with natural attractions can be easily reached by car or public transport.

Video: at the market in Ljubljana

How to “solve issues”

Many Russians like that the bureaucracy is not very developed in Slovenia, and a request to process documents quickly will be officially considered and even fulfilled. In this country, freedom of speech is very concrete and effective. If you think something is wrong, then you don’t have to be afraid to express it at any level. They will listen to you and correct the mistake. At the request of Russian immigrants, they even changed procedural rules that were inconvenient for them. And if you suspect someone of corruption or other bad things, then simply fill out a special form on the government website, and your information will be promptly checked. After all, the country is small and almost everyone here knows each other. Any relationship, especially in business, should be established in an official way, and not “over a glass” or “in the bathhouse” . Such proposals often cause amazement among Slovenian partners and spoil the Russians’ reputation.

About the Slovenian language

Linguistic proximity removes psychological barriers. It is mandatory to learn Slovenian; without a good knowledge of the language it is impossible to get a job.

Many immigrants from Russia learn the language to the extent necessary for communication within six months. In addition, free language courses provide great assistance to foreigners with a residence permit. Slovenian is one of the most ancient languages ​​of the southern Slavs.

In Slovenia, there are several organizations uniting Russian speakers, as well as the Russian private school “Stupenki”. But not all Russians take advantage of the opportunity to teach their children their native language. Many families prefer that their child speaks Slovenian and English. In addition, there are several other regional languages ​​in Slovenia, one of them is Italian. Migrants from Russia living in Primorye often send their children to Italian schools because they believe that this is more promising than knowing only Russian and Slovenian.

About raising children

In Slovenia, there is no situation familiar to Russians, where life is all about struggle. And this starts with raising children. You can send your child to any school closer to home, and no problems will arise. From the age of one and a half years, children are taken for a walk outside the territory of kindergartens. Then they go for a walk in the city, holding on to colored strings. In summer and winter they are taken to the sea or to the mountains to ski. All this is done both in public and private kindergartens and schools, and parents do not have to worry about where to put their children and how to fill their leisure time.

Children here are incredibly loved and outrageously pampered. A Slovenian woman who has given birth to a child simply enjoys him and his growth, she does not owe anything to society - to educate, raise a worthy citizen, so they do not strain - no one will judge, no one evaluates the child’s bad behavior... it’s a child. You will not hear screams, swearing, a raised irritated tone, or, at most, wailing if the child is completely upset. Children are sincerely admired for the most nonsensical reasons - applause and shouts of “Super, bravo!” For a 5-year-old who has slid down a hill, it’s a common thing. They have no problem walking alone on the street in the evening, but at 9 even teenagers crawl home, go to bed early, and get up early, too. I relaxed here, stopped locking the front door, which goes out onto the street... you can’t let your guard down, of course, but the crime rate here is extremely low, and in relation to children, almost zero.

July

https://forum.littleone.ru/showthread.php?t=6375038

About pensioners

There are about 600 thousand pensioners in Slovenia, a population of two million. About 30 thousand of them receive a minimum pension, less than 100 euros. More than 120 thousand live on a pension of 100 to 500 euros. And half of pensioners receive payments from 500 to 1 thousand euros. Retire after 65 years of age (with 24 years of work experience required). If there is inflation in the country and wages are rising, then payments are indexed accordingly. But to receive this pension, you need to be a citizen of Slovenia. As for foreigners, especially Russian citizens living in Slovenia, most of them receive a Russian pension there. The condition for this is the annual sending of a special document to the Russian social security authorities - a certificate that they are alive.

Well, those Russians who were able to receive a Slovenian pension speak well of the level of social insurance and security in this country. The Slovenian model is somewhat reminiscent of the Scandinavian one. The state collects special taxes for insurance of pensioners, the unemployed, and maternity benefits. Despite the economic crisis, the country retains all the important instruments of social support for its citizens. This is especially true for free education and medicine. The state did not sacrifice the welfare of people for the sake of economic growth. Although taxes here are higher than in other European countries, social rights are more successfully implemented.

What do they think about Russians?

The attitude towards migrants in Slovenia is quite good-natured, despite the 2015 crisis with Syrian refugees. There are not very many foreigners in the country, and they arouse great interest. And they treat Slavs and Russian speakers quite favorably. There is no particular sympathy for Russians, but no one will consider you a second-class citizen. Slovenians are tolerant themselves and expect the same from others.

Labor market

Recruitment specialists are looking for vacancies for Russians in Slovenia. Their services are the most effective, but not cheap. You can search through the employment office or on specialized websites. A work permit is usually issued by an employer with whom an employment contract has been concluded. Finding a job is not easy, there are few vacancies.

After 20 months of legal activity, you can obtain an individual permit, which will allow you to change your location and, in the event of mandatory dismissal, enter the employment service database. The document is issued for a maximum of 3 months.

Professions in demand

The average salary in Slovenia before tax is 1323.54 euros. There are large industrial enterprises here:

• and Gorenje - devices;
• - Automotive industry;
• - paint and varnish products.

There is a demand for designers, IT specialists and engineers. It is necessary to undergo mandatory nostrification and prove to management that they are highly qualified. Working as a doctor in Slovenia is possible after receiving a diploma and passing an additional examination by the Commission. You can find a place for a Russian-speaking manager in the tourism industry. Qualified chefs and pastry chefs required. Migrants with certain skills can be recruited to care for children or the elderly.

Salaries in the country

Salaries by economic sector and occupation:

• Electric power and gas industry - 2800 €;
• Financiers and insurers - 2350 €;
• IT company - 2200 €;
• Restaurants and hotels - 1100 €;
• Teacher - 1900 €;
• Doctors - 2300 €;
• Utilities - 1770 €;
• Forestry - 1520 €;
• Production - 1480 €.

All amounts are excluding taxes.

Minimum wage

The government regularly increases it, adjusting it for inflation. The minimum wage in Slovenia in 2019 before expenses is 842.79 euros. Personal income tax and 638.42 EUR after taxes.

Business immigration

A tenderer who has sufficient resources to fulfill the following conditions. Moving to Slovenia can be legalized in the country by becoming a business owner. To register an LLC, the authorized capital must be paid in an amount of at least 7,500 €. Thus, you can obtain a visa for a period of 6 months. At the end of this period you will receive a work permit and an employment permit. Residence permit. In a year. Residence permits have the right to accept family members.

For those who don't want to wait, intermediaries in Slovenia sell essential goods stores to Russians. If the purchased goods are LLC registered more than a year ago, you can contact us directly at the following residence permit address.

Is it possible to compare Russia and Slovenia?

This is a difficult matter, because Slovenia is a small, compact country, and not many people live here. Therefore, we only have to compare very average figures. Prices in the table are shown in US dollars.

Table: standard of living in Russia and Slovenia

Products in Slovenia are a little more expensive than the Russian average, but they are of better quality. Prices for some basic products are almost the same, and local wine is better than Russian and is cheaper. Salaries and pensions in Slovenia are definitely higher than the average income of a resident of the Russian Federation, although, of course, they are far from wages in large Russian cities - Moscow or St. Petersburg. But the country has good social security, and all citizens know and see where their taxes are spent.

Medical services

Having issued a residence permit, a foreigner in Slovenia receives a compulsory medical insurance policy. This insurance fully covers the treatment of children, students, and those suffering from certain diseases. For the rest, compulsory medical insurance compensates for medical care only in acute cases. To receive comprehensive care and treatment of chronic diseases, you need to buy a VHI policy. Costs, depending on the company, will range from €27 to €30 per person.

Read also: Immigration to Slovenia

Pros and cons of living in Slovenia (final table)

Slovenia has become an attractive country not for immigration, but for further transit to Europe, which explains the tightening of the state policy regarding the reception of foreigners. And indeed, if we analyze the migration growth of the country’s population, it is small and continues to decline. Slovenia is too close to the “tempting” countries of Western Europe, where they find better and better-paid jobs and more prospects. Some people don’t like the country because of its traditional way of life, which seems to be self-centered. But at the same time, it is precisely these special features of Slovenia that attract people who want to experience the taste of life. After all, stability, security, virtually zero crime and respect for people are values ​​that we are increasingly losing in our crazy lives. And here, very close to us, is a country inhabited by Slavs similar in language and mentality, where you can plunge into an oasis of calm, not fight with anyone, not fear for the future of your children, but live and travel for your own pleasure.

• Author: Svetlana Varka
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I live in Lvov (Ukraine). Higher education. Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, medieval historian. Rate this article:

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List of required documents

For a residence permit you need to provide the following package of documents:

• application for a residence permit completed in Slovenian;
• international passport;
• certificate of good conduct;
• medical insurance;
• a certificate confirming the availability of means of subsistence;
• 4 photos.

Before submitting documents, you need to have them translated into Slovenian and certified by a notary. The certificate of good conduct is certified by an apostille.