Slovenia — Property: Foreign Ownership

Key facts

• Under Article 68 of the Constitution foreigners may own immovable property only on conditions set by law or a ratified treaty.
• Reciprocity exists under Article 7 of the Reciprocity Act if a Slovenian citizen or company can buy property in the foreigner's country on the same or similar terms.
• Citizens and companies of EU candidate countries, named as Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, need a positive reciprocity decision to acquire property.
• The procedure starts with an application to the Ministry of Justice, which keeps an online country-by-country record of where reciprocity exists, including for specific transactions, properties and areas.
• Property can be acquired by deed, by inheritance or by decision of a state authority; the Ministry can be reached on +386 1 369 53 42.

Steps

1. Obtain Necessary Permits — If purchasing property in a restricted area, apply for the necessary permits from the relevant Slovenian authorities.
2. Engage a Local Lawyer — Hire a local lawyer to ensure compliance with Slovenian property laws and to facilitate the transaction.
3. Sign the Contract — Once all permits are in place, sign the purchase contract with the seller.