FDI in figures

Slovenia has a fully liberalized foreign investment regime in line with EU and OECD which is not drawing a distinction between foreign and domestic investor.

The first strategic partnerships among domestic and foreign companies can be traced back to the 1970s (Bayer, Semperit, Naue). The first substantial FDI inflows a decade later (Renault, Bosch, Siemens, Henkel, ÖMV). The largest recent FDI inflows are the post-privatisation takeovers (Goodyear) or classic takeovers (Lek by Novartis, Simobil by Mobilkom, SKB by Societe Generale etc.).

By the end of 2006 the accumulated sum of FDI reached almost 7 billion EUR and more than half of this total inflow is result of the last years period from 2001 to 2006. Major investors are Austria (32%), Switzerland (14%), Netherlands and France (9%), Germany (8%), Italy (6%), Croatia, Belgium and Luxembourg (all 4%), UK and USA (both 2%). They mostly invested into financial services and insurance (21%), retail (17%), business services and leasing (16%), chemicals (13%), tyres and plastic products (5%), engineering, pulp & paper, telecoms and transport, motor vehicles and trailers, electrical engineering and other.

Why you should choose to invest in Slovenia

Strong points

Quality link to regional markets - the Slovenia capital is geographically located within two hour flight of 450 million consumers in Europe in all directions. Quality labor force - providing a well-educated and internationally savvy workforce .

 

Quality infrastructure - well-developed maritime, land and air transport infrastructure as well as excellent IT-networks and platforms, centres of excellence and clusters as evidence of a high-level innovation activity. Quality of life - a safe place to raise the family and enjoy natural beauties and historical sights in a country of multilingual and friendly citizens.

Politic and economic stability and tradition of an export oriented economy.

Weak points

Non persuasive government attitude towards FDI ;
Lack of building sites for business activity;
Low mobility of the labor force;
High social security contributions on wages.

Government measures to motivate or restrict FDI

Slovenia is very ambivalent about FDI: on one hand it would like to be open to FDI while on the other it is very cautious about them. Therefore, the government FDI cost-sharing grant scheme is focusing incentives to the investments that will have a positive impact on new employment, knowledge and technology transfer, facilitation of balanced regional development and will foster alliance between foreign investor and Slovenian companies.

 

Government grants are available for investments of more than 0.5 mio. EUR in industry, strategic services (Customer Contact Centres, Shared Services Centres, Logistics and Distribution Centres, Regional Headquarters) and R&D. The most welcome FDI are greenfield investment with "clean" ("green") high technology.

The Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments (JAPTI) has prepared a program for promoting the growth of companies in foreign ownership or mixed. The program's main objective is to stimulate FDI and create new posts in the context of the current economic crisis.

Procedures relative to foreign investment

Acquisition of holdings

A majority holding interest in the capital of a local company is legal in Slovenia.

Obligation to declare

Slovenia has a fully liberalized foreign investment regime - foreign investments enjoy full national treatment.

Requests for specific authorizations

The only exception to the principle of full national treatment relates to the right of branches of foreign companies originating in non-EU member states to obtain ownership over real estate in Slovenia. Foreign investment in the companies related to the production and trade of armaments is subject to the prior approval of the government. For more details click here.

Finding assistance for further information

Investment aid agency

Invest Slovenia