Renting an Apartment in Slovenia

Even until the early 1990s, finding a suitable house or apartment to rent on a long-term basis in Slovenia was not easy. Long-term rental options, particularly outside the main tourist centers, were few and far between. That has changed significantly in recent years. You now have a fairly wide range of furnished or unfurnished apartments and houses to rent especially in around the capital, Ljubljana. The demand for non-vacation rentals has increased since Slovenia joined the EU in 2004. Most of the foreigners who rent accommodation over the long term in Ljubljana are diplomats and businessmen.

Slovenia is just half the size of Switzerland but is culturally and naturally diverse. From modern and cosmopolitan Ljubljana to the gorgeous Triglav National Park and beautiful Portoroz on the Adriatic coast, Slovenia has an environmental diversity, which is surprising for its size. The country shares borders with Croatia, Austria, Italy and Hungary. As regards economic development, it is somewhere between western and eastern Europe. Slovenia's per-capita GDP is reported to be the highest in central Europe. Buoyant economic growth between 2000 and 2007 has fueled the development of quality residential and commercial real estate in and around Ljubljana.

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Many foreigners use the services of real estate agencies to find quality accommodation in Slovenia. Other ways of identifying a suitable apartment, house or office are through the Internet, advertisements in print publications and personal or business contacts. If you decide to appoint a real estate agency to assist you, it is better to select one that is well-established and has a solid reputation. Agencies list details of apartments, houses and business premises for rent on their website. Real estate agencies charge a fee for their services, which normally works out to two monthly rents in addition to VAT. Before you sign an agent on, you might want to clarify the exact amount you would be expected to pay as commission.

In most cases home owners ask for caution money, which is equivalent to one, two or three monthly rents, to be deposited with them before a tenant occupies the apartment. The deposit is returnable at the end of the lease period.

Rents differ based on location, size, extent and quality of furnishings as well as the age of the building. On an average, rents are highest in Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje and Koper. You will be required to pay separately for electricity, gas, telephone, water, cable services and garbage disposal. Accommodation can be either furnished or unfurnished. Furnished apartments are usually well-equipped and come with Internet access, satellite television and other facilities. In Ljubljana, you will have a fairly wide choice of apartments ranging from studios to one, two or three bedroom flats. If you are looking for business premises, Ljubljana, particularly the city center, has a variety of modern well-appointed units.

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While Ljubljana is the city of choice in Slovenia for foreign diplomats and businessmen, quite a few foreigners also live in Maribor, Celje and Koper. It all depends on where you work and your priorities and preferences.