Ljubljana: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, with about 300,000 people. It is a compact university and administrative city: government, banks, pharmaceutical and IT companies, and a university with tens of thousands of students. The centre along the Ljubljanica river is car-free, the city is easy to get around by bike, and in 2016 Ljubljana was named European Green Capital.

The city suits families who value safety, nature and a calm pace, remote workers and entrepreneurs with a European Union business, and those who want to live near the Alps and the Adriatic. It suits less those seeking a large job market, wild nightlife or low taxes on high incomes.

Districts

• Centre - the old town below the castle and along the river, cafés, the market and pedestrian streets; housing is expensive and scarce.
• Bežigrad - a residential district north of the centre with parks, schools and sports facilities, popular with families.
• Šiška - a quiet district next to Tivoli Park, within walking distance of the centre.
• Trnovo - quiet streets by the river and near the university, atmospheric and green.
• Moste and Fužine - eastern districts with new builds and riverside walks, rents below the centre.

Housing and prices

Rents in Ljubljana are the highest in the country: a one-bedroom flat averages about €980 a month in 2026, roughly $1,098. In the centre it is €750-1,200 ($841-1,345), outside the centre €650-850 ($729-953). Supply is tight because of students and short-term tourist rentals, so good flats go quickly. Groceries and services are cheaper than in Austria and Italy, and Slovenia uses the euro, so there is no currency risk.

City rhythm

Life in Ljubljana is calm and lived outdoors: from spring to autumn the Ljubljanica embankments fill with cafés, on Fridays an open-air food market runs on the square by the market, and in summer a large music and theatre festival takes place. The alternative scene is based in the former Metelkova barracks, and at weekends residents head to the mountains, lakes or the sea. The city is small, so almost everything is within half an hour on foot or by bike.

Taxes

Income tax is progressive, from 16% to 50% on the highest incomes. Employees pay 22.1% social contributions and employers a further 16.1%. Corporate tax is 22%, dividends 25% and VAT 22%. Entrepreneurs with small turnover have a simplified regime with standardised expenses. More on the page about taxes in Slovenia.

Practicalities

• Transport. City buses, bike rental and a pedestrian centre. Jože Pučnik Airport is 26 kilometres from the city, and many people fly via Venice, Trieste, Zagreb or Vienna.
• Nature nearby. Lake Bled is about 55 kilometres away, the Adriatic at Piran about an hour and a half, and ski resorts an hour's drive.
• Healthcare. Compulsory health insurance covers basic treatment, and many people pay for supplementary insurance to avoid co-payments.
• Language. Slovenian; most residents, especially young people, speak good English.
• Climate. Winters are cold and foggy, around zero; summers are warm, about 20-25 degrees, with frequent rain.

Moving and legal status

Slovenia is in the European Union, Schengen and the eurozone, so European Union citizens only need to register their residence. Others move on a single work and residence permit, through their own company, study, family reunification or the EU Blue Card. Citizenship under the general rules comes after 10 years in the country, the last 5 of them continuous, with knowledge of Slovenian.

Family and schools

State schools are free and teach in Slovenian, and Ljubljana has international schools teaching in English and French. Kindergartens are municipal, with fees depending on family income. The city is safe, with many parks and playgrounds, and nearby mountains and lakes make it convenient for families with children.

Work, business and buying property

The main employers are government institutions, pharmaceutical companies, banks, logistics and a growing IT sector where English is often the working language. For one's own business people open a limited liability company with minimum share capital of €7,500, registered within a few days through the single point of contact for entrepreneurs. The company can be the basis for its owner's residence permit if it genuinely operates and pays salaries.

Foreigners from outside the European Union buy property in Slovenia on the principle of reciprocity, that is, if Slovenians can buy homes in their country. The property transfer tax is 2% of the price and is usually paid by the seller. Flat prices in Ljubljana are among the highest in Central Europe relative to local salaries.

Is Ljubljana worth considering for life

Pros: safety, greenery, a pedestrian centre, the Alps and the sea nearby, the European Union, Schengen and the euro, and English among residents. Cons: expensive and scarce rentals, a small job market, high taxes on large incomes and a long path to citizenship. Ljubljana is an excellent choice for a calm family life or remote work in the European Union. Write in the chat and we will find a basis for your residence permit.