Engineering Jobs in Slovenia with Visa Sponsorship 2026
Engineering Jobs in Slovenia with Visa Sponsorship 2026 Slovenia is actively seeking engineering talent for 2026 due to ongoing labor shortages in the industrial, high-tech, and construction sectors.
Crucially, major legislative changes taking effect in late 2025 will make it significantly easier and more affordable for foreign engineers to qualify for visas in 2026.
1. Key Visa Updates for 2026
Two major policy shifts will directly impact your application process:
- EU Blue Card Threshold Drop (July 2025): The minimum salary requirement for an EU Blue Card will drop from 1.5x to 1.0x the average gross salary. This means the qualifying monthly gross salary will decrease to approximately €2,400, making it much easier for junior and mid-level engineers to qualify.
- New Digital Nomad Visa (November 2025): If you work remotely for a foreign company, you can apply for this 1-year non-renewable visa starting late 2025.123 The income requirement is expected to be approx.345 €3,200 net/month.15
2. Top Companies Hiring Foreign Engineers
These companies are known for having international teams, English-speaking environments, or a history of sponsoring visas.
High-Tech, Software & Control Systems
- Cosylab: A global leader in control systems for nuclear accelerators and large physics facilities. They frequently hire software, physics, and electrical engineers and operate in English.
- Danfoss Trata: Specializes in district energy and heating. A multinational environment (part of the Danish group) that regularly hires R&D, mechanical, and software engineers.
- Endava: A global IT company with a strong hub in Ljubljana, hiring software engineers and developers.6
Automotive & Aviation (Mobility)
- Akrapovič: World-famous for high-performance exhaust systems. They hire mechanical engineers, R&D specialists, and production engineers.
- Pipistrel (Textron): A pioneer in electric aviation. They hire aerospace, electrical, and mechanical engineers for R&D in Ajdovščina.
- Hella Saturnus Slovenija: Part of the Forvia group, focusing on automotive lighting. They hire development, quality, and electronics engineers.
- Elaphe: A leader in in-wheel electric propulsion systems. Known for a young, international team.
Manufacturing & Electrical
- Kolektor: A massive industrial conglomerate hiring across mobility, power engineering, and construction sectors.
- Yaskawa: Has a major robot production facility in Kočevje and often needs automation and robotics engineers.
Research & Civil Engineering7
- Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS): The leading research institute in Slovenia.7 Excellent for PhDs/postdocs in physics, chemistry, and reactor engineering.
- ZAG (Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute): The go-to for civil engineering researchers and experts.
3. Visa & Work Permit Pathways
Slovenia generally uses a “Single Permit” system which combines work and residence authorization.
| Visa Type | Best For | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Single Permit | Most Engineers | • Valid job offer from a Slovenian company.<br>89• Employer must prove they couldn’t find a local candidate (Labor Market Test) – waived for shortage occupations like engineers. |
| EU Blue Card | Highly Skilled | • University degree (3+ years).<br>• 1-year work contract.<br>2• New 2026 Rule: Salary must be at least ~€2,400 gross/month (1x avg salary).4 |
| Digital Nomad | Freelancers | 125 • Work for a company outside Slovenia.<br>• Income of ~€3,200 net/month.<br>134• Note: Does not allow working for a local Slovenian employer.5 |
4, Requirements for Foreign Engineers
To work as an engineer in Slovenia, you must meet both general immigration criteria and specific professional standards.
A. General Visa Requirements
- Valid Job Offer: You must have a signed contract from a Slovenian company.
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) in a relevant engineering field.
- Clean Criminal Record: A police clearance certificate from your home country (translated and apostilled).
- Health Insurance: Proof of coverage (initially travel insurance, then switched to the national ZZZS system upon employment).
B. Language Requirements
New Immigration Rule: Third-country nationals must pass a basic A1 level Slovenian exam within 1 year of registering with the Employment Service to maintain residency rights long-term.
High-Tech / Software / R&D Roles: English is usually sufficient. Companies like Cosylab, Dewesoft, and Akrapovič operate internationally and often use English as their working language.
Civil / Construction / Electrical (Regulated): If you need to sign off on projects or be a “Responsible Project Designer,” you must be a member of the Slovenian Chamber of Engineers (IZS). This requires passing a professional exam in Slovenian (effectively requiring B2/C1 fluency)
5. Salary Expectations (2026 Estimates)
Salaries in Slovenia are quoted in Gross Monthly terms.
- Junior Engineer: €1,800 – €2,400 gross/month.
- Mid-Level Engineer: €2,500 – €3,500 gross/month.
- Senior/Specialist: €3,500 – €5,000+ gross/month.
- Net Income: A €3,000 gross salary results in roughly €1,900 – €2,000 net (after taxes and social security).
Steps to Apply
- CV Preparation: Adapt your CV to the Europass format (standard in Slovenia).12 Highlight specific technical skills (CAD, C++, FEM analysis, etc.).
- Apply Online: Focus on the companies listed above. Check their “Careers” pages directly, as they often post there before aggregators.
- Interview: If shortlisted, you will likely have a video interview. Ask specifically: “Does the company provide support for the Single Permit application?”
- Sponsorship: Once you sign a contract, the employer initiates the Single Permit process at the Administrative Unit (Upravna enota).
- Wait Time: Processing can take 2–4 months. Be patient; this is the standard timeline in Slovenia.
How To Apply
Apply Now
Conclusion
For 2026, Slovenia presents a “Goldilocks” opportunity for engineers: high demand, lowered visa barriers, and a high quality of life.
- The Big Win: The EU Blue Card threshold drop to ~€2,500 gross makes it accessible even for mid-level engineers, not just senior executives.
- The Challenge: The Slovenian language remains a barrier for regulated professions (Civil/Construction) but is rarely an issue for Software, Mechanical, or Electrical design roles in international firms.
- The Strategy: Focus on the “Shortage Occupation List” roles (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil). Apply to large multinationals (Danfoss, Lek, Krka, Kolektor) that are accustomed to sponsoring Single Permits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a visa agent? A: No. Your employer is legally required to help initiate the process. Once you sign the contract, they submit the application to the Administrative Unit (Upravna enota). You simply provide your personal documents.
Q: Can I bring my family? A: Yes, under the EU Blue Card scheme, family reunification is immediate. For a standard Single Permit, you typically must wait until you have been employed for 2 years to bring family, unless special exceptions apply (like being a highly skilled researcher).
Q: Is the “Shortage Occupation List” important for me? A: Yes. If your job title (e.g., Mechanical Engineer) is on this list, your employer skips the “Labor Market Test.” They don’t have to prove they couldn’t find a Slovenian for the job, which saves 2-4 weeks of processing time.
Q: How long does the visa process take? A: Realistically, 2 to 4 months. Although the law says it should be faster, administrative units (especially in Ljubljana) are often backlogged.
Q: Is housing provided? A: Rarely. Some manufacturing companies might offer temporary dorms for 1-3 months, but generally, you must find your own apartment. Expect to pay €600–€900/month for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ljubljana.
