The legal system of Slovenia
A civil-law system rooted in the Austro-German tradition and the 1991 Constitution, with an influential Constitutional Court. An EU and eurozone member since 2004 and 2007 respectively.
Legal tradition
Slovenia belongs to the civil law tradition. A civil-law system rooted in the Austro-German tradition and the 1991 Constitution, with an influential Constitutional Court. An EU and eurozone member since 2004 and 2007 respectively.
How power is divided
A parliamentary republic with a directly elected but largely ceremonial President, a Government answerable to the National Assembly and an independent judiciary.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- The 1991 constitution.
- EU law
- Directly applicable and, in its field, paramount.
- Laws of the National Assembly
- Primary legislation.
- Codes
- The Code of Obligations, Penal Code and procedural codes.
The legal profession
Odvetniki belong to the Slovenian Bar Association; notarji (notaries) authenticate deeds, company acts and succession.
Law by topic in Slovenia
- Employment & LabourThe Employment Relationships Act with sector agreements and labour courtsIndividual employment is governed by the Employment Relationships Act, supplemented by branch collective agreements. Dismissal requires a statutory ground and procedure, and disputes go to specialised labour and social courts.
- Criminal LawThe Criminal Code with prosecutor-led investigation and settlement optionsThe Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Act govern offences and process, with a state prosecutor directing investigation and an investigating judge authorising coercive measures. Diversion and settlement are available for lesser offences.
- Family LawThe 2017 Family Code, marriage equality and consensual divorce before a notaryThe Family Code of 2017 modernised family law, and marriage was opened to same-sex couples following a 2022 Constitutional Court decision. Childless spouses can divorce by agreement before a notary.
- Property & LandConstitutive land registration with notarised contractsOwnership passes on entry in the land register, which is fully electronic. Contracts must be notarially certified to be registrable, and leases of residential property are regulated by the Housing Act.
- Constitutional LawThe 1991 Constitution, a dominant National Assembly and a powerful Constitutional CourtSlovenia is a parliamentary republic under the 1991 Constitution. The National Assembly legislates with an advisory National Council able to impose a suspensive veto, and the Constitutional Court is an unusually active guardian of rights.
- Civil ProcedureThe Civil Procedure Act with electronic enforcement of money claimsLitigation follows the Civil Procedure Act, with district and local courts divided by value and subject matter. Uncontested money claims are pursued through a centralised electronic enforcement system.
- Immigration & NationalityEU free movement plus single permits and quota-free skilled routesEU nationals move freely in this Schengen member state. Third-country nationals apply for a single residence and work permit under the Foreigners Act and the Employment of Foreigners Act, with exemptions for certain skilled roles.
- Human RightsDirectly enforceable constitutional rights and a constitutional complaintChapter II of the Constitution guarantees extensive human rights that are directly enforceable before the courts. The Constitutional Court hears individual complaints, and the Human Rights Ombudsman supervises public authorities.
- Business & CorporateThe Companies Act, the d.o.o. and free one-stop-shop registrationCompany law follows the Companies Act in the Austro-German tradition, with the d.o.o. the standard vehicle and the d.d. used for larger enterprises. The e-VEM/SPOT one-stop system allows free electronic registration of simple companies.
- Tax LawProgressive personal income tax, corporate income tax and no general property taxResidents pay progressive personal income tax on worldwide income, with a schedular treatment of capital income. Companies pay corporate income tax, and there is a real-estate transfer tax but no comprehensive annual property tax.
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