Employment

Information on access to work for asylum seekers and refugees in Slovenia.

Work for asylum seekers

You can start working 3 months after applying for asylum if:

  • Your application has not yet been decided
  • The delay is not caused by you

The authority responsible for your asylum application will issue your work permit.

Work for recognized refugees

If you are granted refugee status1, you and your family members have:

  • Free access to the labour market
  • The right to be employed or self-employed
  • No need for a work permit

Employers must treat you the same as Slovenian citizens.

Registering as a jobseeker

Refugees can register as jobseekers at the Employment Service of Slovenia.

  • You can choose a labour office based on where you live or want to work

Find a list of offices here:

Employment Service of Slovenia (ESS)
(English available)

Instructions for registration are available here:

How to register as a jobseeker

Support from an employment counsellor

After registration, you will be assigned an employment counsellor who will:

  • Provide guidance on finding a job
  • Help you create an employment plan
  • Support your integration into the labour market

More information

You can find more details about employment in Slovenia here:
Government information portal (Slovenian and English)


1. The term refugee on this page includes both international and subsidiary protection statuses, as per the International Protection Act of the Republic of Slovenia (Zakon o mednarodni zaščiti – ZMZ-1).

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