Slovenian citizenship by descent: who qualifies, the law, and what it takes

Q: Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a parent?

Possible. Children and grandchildren of Slovenians abroad can apply from home for naturalisation on national grounds, with no residence or language test, if the Government finds it in the national interest; otherwise a year’s residence and a basic Slovenian exam open Article 12. If you were born in 1991 or later: likely. If the parent is your mother and you were born in 1991 or later: likely.

Q: Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a grandparent?

Possible. Children and grandchildren of Slovenians abroad can apply from home for naturalisation on national grounds, with no residence or language test, if the Government finds it in the national interest; otherwise a year’s residence and a basic Slovenian exam open Article 12.

Q: Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a great-grandparent?

Possible. A great-grandchild of a Slovenian emigrant can naturalise, at the state’s discretion, after a year living in Slovenia and a basic Slovenian exam, without giving up another citizenship.

Through a parentPOSSIBLEExtraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)Through a grandparentPOSSIBLEExtraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)Through a great-grandparentPOSSIBLEEmigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

Ways to apply: Naturalisation of emigrants and descendants (Art. 12) · Registration by origin (18 to 35) · Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)
Dual citizenship: Kept, however you apply
Language: Slovenian: a basic-level Slovenian exam (ZDRS Art. 10(1)(5), applied by Art. 12)
Comes with: EU citizenship: the right to live and work in 27 countries

Each answer assumes none of your ancestors became a citizen of another country before their child was born. Below is what changes each answer.

On this page

01Who qualifies
02Dates that matter
03Through your mother
04Keeping your citizenship
05Ways to apply
06The documents
07What it takes
08Where the records live
09Places that changed countries
10Law changes
11Other options
12Sources

Who qualifies, generation by generation

POSSIBLE

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a parent?

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Children and grandchildren of Slovenians abroad can apply from home for naturalisation on national grounds, with no residence or language test, if the Government finds it in the national interest; otherwise a year’s residence and a basic Slovenian exam open Article 12.

What would settle itYour age: under 36, a child of a Slovenian parent simply registers; otherwise, the family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13.

A Slovenian abroad may be naturalised for national reasons without living in Slovenia, without a language test and without giving up another citizenship, if the Government finds it in the national interest; the Embassy describes this for descent up to the second generation with active ties to the Slovenian community. ZDRS Art. 13, unofficial consolidated text, Art. 13(1)-(3)
An emigrant’s descendant to the fourth generation may be admitted at the authority’s discretion after actually living in Slovenia for at least a year with a regulated status and passing a basic Slovenian exam; release from the other citizenship is not required. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 12(1) with Art. 10(1)(5)
The Embassy accepts Article 13 applications through the consular mission, separately from adult registration and Article 12 residence-based naturalisation. Embassy of Slovenia in Washington: consular information (registration of adults 18 to 36; Article 13 applications)

What changes the answer

POSSIBLE
If you have a criminal conviction or charges pending
Both naturalisation options require no final unconditional prison sentence over three months, or suspended sentence with probation over one year. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 10(1)(6), applied by Arts. 12 and 13
POSSIBLE
If you were born before 1991
The family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13; the grant is discretionary.
LIKELY
If you were born in 1991 or laterRegistration by origin (18 to 35)
Born abroad to a Slovenian parent and not yet 36, you acquire Slovenian citizenship by origin simply by registering at the embassy.
POSSIBLE
If the parent is your mother and you were born before 1991
The family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13; the grant is discretionary.
LIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born in 1991 or laterRegistration by origin (18 to 35)
Born abroad to a Slovenian parent and not yet 36, you acquire Slovenian citizenship by origin simply by registering at the embassy.

POSSIBLE

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a grandparent?

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

What would settle itThe family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13; the grant is discretionary.

A Slovenian abroad may be naturalised for national reasons without living in Slovenia, without a language test and without giving up another citizenship, if the Government finds it in the national interest; the Embassy describes this for descent up to the second generation with active ties to the Slovenian community. ZDRS Art. 13, unofficial consolidated text, Art. 13(1)-(3)
An emigrant’s descendant to the fourth generation may be admitted at the authority’s discretion after actually living in Slovenia for at least a year with a regulated status and passing a basic Slovenian exam; release from the other citizenship is not required. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 12(1) with Art. 10(1)(5)
The Embassy accepts Article 13 applications through the consular mission, separately from adult registration and Article 12 residence-based naturalisation. Embassy of Slovenia in Washington: consular information (registration of adults 18 to 36; Article 13 applications)

What changes the answer

POSSIBLE
If you have a criminal conviction or charges pending
Both naturalisation options require no final unconditional prison sentence over three months, or suspended sentence with probation over one year. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 10(1)(6), applied by Arts. 12 and 13

POSSIBLE

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a great-grandparent?

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

A great-grandchild of a Slovenian emigrant can naturalise, at the state’s discretion, after a year living in Slovenia and a basic Slovenian exam, without giving up another citizenship.

What would settle itWhether someone in the family will live in Slovenia for a year and pass the basic Slovenian exam.

An emigrant’s descendant to the fourth generation may be admitted at the authority’s discretion after actually living in Slovenia for at least a year with a regulated status and passing a basic Slovenian exam; release from the other citizenship is not required. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 12(1) with Art. 10(1)(5)

What changes the answer

POSSIBLE
If you have a criminal conviction or charges pending
Both naturalisation options require no final unconditional prison sentence over three months, or suspended sentence with probation over one year. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 10(1)(6), applied by Arts. 12 and 13
POSSIBLE
If you can’t pass the Slovenian language requirement
A great-grandchild of a Slovenian emigrant can naturalise after a year living in Slovenia, but only with the basic Slovenian exam; until then the option is closed to you.

The dates that matter

No date named in Slovenia’s rule decides who qualifies. The answers above turn on the family’s facts, not on when anyone was born or left.

Claiming through your mother or grandmother

In Slovenia’s rule, the answer changes when the ancestor you descend through is a woman:

POSSIBLE
If the parent is your mother and you were born before 1991
The family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13; the grant is discretionary.
LIKELY
If the parent is your mother and you were born in 1991 or laterRegistration by origin (18 to 35)
Born abroad to a Slovenian parent and not yet 36, you acquire Slovenian citizenship by origin simply by registering at the embassy.

In the law’s words

A child born abroad to a Slovenian-citizen parent and a foreign parent, not registered before 18, acquires citizenship by origin by registering before reaching 36. Embassy of Slovenia in Washington: consular information (registration of adults 18 to 36; Article 13 applications)

Dual citizenship with your home country

You keep your citizenship.

On every open route, the rule lets a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina or South Africa keep that citizenship.

Holding this citizenship alongside another is addressed by the law cited; check the current position before relying on it. Citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia Act (ZDRS)
A Slovenian abroad may be naturalised for national reasons without living in Slovenia, without a language test and without giving up another citizenship, if the Government finds it in the national interest; the Embassy describes this for descent up to the second generation with active ties to the Slovenian community. ZDRS Art. 13, unofficial consolidated text, Art. 13(1)-(3)

Every way to apply, and the law behind it

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Open to you through a parent or a grandparent

POSSIBLE
Through a parent

The law

A Slovenian abroad may be naturalised for national reasons without living in Slovenia, without a language test and without giving up another citizenship, if the Government finds it in the national interest; the Embassy describes this for descent up to the second generation with active ties to the Slovenian community. ZDRS Art. 13, unofficial consolidated text, Art. 13(1)-(3)
An emigrant’s descendant to the fourth generation may be admitted at the authority’s discretion after actually living in Slovenia for at least a year with a regulated status and passing a basic Slovenian exam; release from the other citizenship is not required. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 12(1) with Art. 10(1)(5)
The Embassy accepts Article 13 applications through the consular mission, separately from adult registration and Article 12 residence-based naturalisation. Embassy of Slovenia in Washington: consular information (registration of adults 18 to 36; Article 13 applications)
Both naturalisation options require no final unconditional prison sentence over three months, or suspended sentence with probation over one year. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 10(1)(6), applied by Arts. 12 and 13

What would settle an unsure case

Your age: under 36, a child of a Slovenian parent simply registers; otherwise, the family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13.
The family’s active ties to the Slovenian community, which the Government weighs under Article 13; the grant is discretionary.

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

Open to you through a parent

LIKELY
Through a parent, if you were born in 1991 or later

The law

A child born abroad to a Slovenian-citizen parent and a foreign parent, not registered before 18, acquires citizenship by origin by registering before reaching 36. Embassy of Slovenia in Washington: consular information (registration of adults 18 to 36; Article 13 applications)

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

Open to you through a great-grandparent

POSSIBLE
Through a great-grandparent
POSSIBLE
Through a great-grandparent, if you can’t pass the Slovenian language requirement

The law

An emigrant’s descendant to the fourth generation may be admitted at the authority’s discretion after actually living in Slovenia for at least a year with a regulated status and passing a basic Slovenian exam; release from the other citizenship is not required. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 12(1) with Art. 10(1)(5)
Both naturalisation options require no final unconditional prison sentence over three months, or suspended sentence with probation over one year. ZDRS Art. 12 with Art. 10(1), unofficial consolidated text, Art. 10(1)(6), applied by Arts. 12 and 13

What would settle an unsure case

Whether someone in the family will live in Slovenia for a year and pass the basic Slovenian exam.

The documents, as the rule lists them

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Through a parent or grandparent

Your ancestor’s birth or baptismal record from today’s Slovenia
Birth and marriage records for each generation to you
Evidence of active ties to the Slovenian community (membership of Slovenian organisations)

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

Through a parent, if you were born in 1991 or later

Registration form for a person aged 18 to 36
Your birth certificate with apostille and Slovenian translation
Your parent’s proof of Slovenian citizenship at your birth

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

Through a great-grandparent

Your ancestor’s birth or baptismal record from today’s Slovenia
Birth and marriage records for each generation to you
A basic Slovenian language certificate

Most countries also want proof that your ancestor didn’t become a citizen somewhere else before their child was born: the naturalization record with its date, or a letter saying there isn’t one.

What it takes: time, cost, the hard part, who decides

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Time: Document at least five years of activity in Slovenian organisations. Citizenship follows the discretionary approval, oath and service of the decision; the first passport follows registration.
Cost: The consular citizenship application fee is €354; an adult passport is €115. Records, apostilles, translations and representation are paid separately.
The hard part: Proving several years of active ties to Slovenia and a national interest in granting citizenship. A Slovenian ancestor alone does not secure approval.
Who decides: The Slovenian mission for your US state forwards the application for the government’s national-interest assessment and Ministry of the Interior decision.
The first record: Your Slovenian parent’s or grandparent’s registry record, from A Slovenian administrative unit, through the consular mission. Ask the mission for its registry certificate form, identify the ancestor and provide authority for a living person’s record. gov.si

How it’s filed

Where: Slovenian mission for your US state, forwarding to the Ministry of the Interior office list
How: In person; you appear in person
Form: Article 13 citizenship application for Slovenian descendants
Appointments: Email the mission for your state with the completed request form
Fee: About $402
Decision: 6–24 months

Your consulate

Every office in the United States (2)

Consulate General of Slovenia in Cleveland

Serves Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

How: In person; you appear in person
Address: 1100 Superior Avenue, Suite 720, Cleveland, OH 44114

Email sloconsulate.cleveland@gov.si or call (216) 771-7010; pay by credit/debit card or cash.

Who qualifies, generation by generation

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a parent?

What changes the answer

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a grandparent?

What changes the answer

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a great-grandparent?

What changes the answer

The dates that matter

Claiming through your mother or grandmother

In the law’s words

Dual citizenship with your home country

Every way to apply, and the law behind it

The law

What would settle an unsure case

The law

The law

What would settle an unsure case

The documents, as the rule lists them

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

What it takes: time, cost, the hard part, who decides

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

How it’s filed

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

How it’s filed

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

How it’s filed

Where each record lives, and how to ask for it

Translations

The passport

Places on old papers that lead to Slovenia

Recent and pending changes

If descent doesn’t reach you

Every source on this page

Check your family for Slovenia.

Who qualifies, generation by generation

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a parent?

What changes the answer

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a grandparent?

What changes the answer

Can you claim Slovenian citizenship through a great-grandparent?

What changes the answer

The dates that matter

Claiming through your mother or grandmother

In the law’s words

Dual citizenship with your home country

Every way to apply, and the law behind it

The law

What would settle an unsure case

The law

The law

What would settle an unsure case

The documents, as the rule lists them

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

What it takes: time, cost, the hard part, who decides

Extraordinary naturalisation (Art. 13)

How it’s filed

Registration by origin (18 to 35)

How it’s filed

Emigrants and descendants (Art. 12)

How it’s filed

Where each record lives, and how to ask for it

Translations

The passport

Places on old papers that lead to Slovenia

Recent and pending changes

If descent doesn’t reach you

Every source on this page

Check your family for Slovenia.