Slovenia Requires Foreign Workers: These 20 Jobs Could Help You Obtain a Work Visa
Key Takeaways
1. Slovenia is experiencing labor shortages in 95 occupations, according to the latest EURES report.
2. Sectors like hospitality, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and education are among those most affected.
3. The number of foreign workers in Slovenia has been rising, making up 15 percent of the total workforce in 2023.
Slovenia is grappling with worker shortages across 95 occupations, as highlighted in the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses.
In fact, Slovenia ranks among the EURES countries with the highest number of identified labor shortages.
Industries impacted by these shortages include gastronomy and hospitality, cleaning, manufacturing, construction, engineering, healthcare, education, and IT, according to Schengen.News.
While these labor shortages pose challenges to Slovenia's economy, they also create opportunities for foreign workers looking to relocate to the country. Those with skills in high-demand occupations may have a better chance of securing a Slovenian work visa.
The latest EURES report identifies several roles facing shortages in Slovenia, including:
- Chefs, cooks, kitchen helpers, and related food preparers
- Building construction laborers
- Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels, and other establishments
- Machine operators (for various products)
- Professional drivers
- Toolmakers and related workers
- Welders and flame cutters
- Painters and related workers
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Forestry and related workers
- Security guards
- Healthcare assistants
- Nursing associate professionals
- Generalist/Specialist medical practitioners
- Dentists
- Physiotherapists
- Teachers (at various educational levels)
- Applications programmers
- Software developers
- Engineers (across different fields)
On the other hand, Slovenia has reported 36 surplus occupations, including receptionists, photographers, journalists, translators, and advertising and marketing professionals.
Slovenia Faces Severe Labor Shortages, Says Ministry
Slovenia's labor ministry has confirmed the country's significant labor shortage. As reported by the Slovenia Times in April 2024, the Ministry of Labor emphasized the critical role of migrant workers in maintaining the country's standard of living.
"Slovenia is facing a severe shortage of labor. Foreign workers are important not only for the corporate sector but also to maintain our standard of living."
— Slovenian Ministry of Labor
The growing need for a foreign workforce is also evident in the rising number of migrant workers. According to the Statistics Office, Slovenia had approximately 920,000 workers (excluding farmers) as of January 2024. Of these, 15 percent were foreigners, an increase from 14 percent in January 2023.
Western Balkan Workers Are Most Represented in the Slovenian Labor Market
The number of migrant workers in Slovenia has surged since 2016, except for a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016, Slovenia issued around 16,300 work permits, which rose to 48,440 in 2022.
Most of these work permits were granted to workers from Western Balkan countries, such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia.
Notably, there has been a significant increase in the number of work permits issued to Kosovan workers. In 2022, nearly 15,000 permits were granted to workers from Kosovo, up from 940 in 2016.
The majority of work permits were issued for sectors like construction, manufacturing, transport and warehousing, hospitality, and agriculture.