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Informative Notice

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Recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad

The procedure to recognise professional qualifications acquired abroad is initiated on the request of professionals who wish to pursue the regulated profession of tourist guide in the Republic of Slovenia. Professionals are individuals holding professional qualifications for practicing a regulated profession pursuant to the Act Regulating the Procedure for Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Practising Regulated Professions (ZPPPK).

Natural persons from the Contracting States who acquired the right to pursue the profession of tourist guide in their country and wish to pursue this profession in the Republic of Slovenia on a permanent basis are required to obtain a decision on the recognition of professional qualifications by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

Persons who wish to pursue the regulated profession of tourist guide in the Republic of Slovenia and have obtained full professional qualifications in one of the Member States of the European Union, European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation are to submit their applications for the recognition of professional qualifications to the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, competent to conduct the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications for practising the regulated profession of tourist guide. Candidates' competence to pursue the regulated profession is assessed in a special declaratory procedure that focuses on professional competencies rather than on their education acquired abroad.

If the profession is not regulated in the country of origin of the qualifications, candidates have to meet the requirement of having pursued the activity concerned for one year during the previous ten years or completed regulated education and training geared to the pursuit of the profession. Candidates who meet education and training requirements in the country of origin of the qualifications have their professional qualification for pursuing a particular profession recognised provided there are no major derogations from the conditions laid down for the pursuit of that profession in the regulations of the Republic of Slovenia. 

If the Ministry establishes in the procedure that the professional qualifications of a candidate derogate extensively from national requirements, candidates can be required to carry out one of the compensation measures, i.e.:

  • an adaptation period, during which they meet the missing conditions; or 
  • an aptitude test. 

After examining the application and the enclosed supporting documents on the acquired professional qualifications and subject to national regulations, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology issues:

  • a decision on the recognition of professional qualifications
  • an interim decision (in case of compensation measure); or 
  • a decision rejecting the recognition of professional qualifications

By a decision on the recognition of professional qualifications candidates are recognised their professional qualifications for the pursuit of the regulated profession of tourist guide; to acquire the right to pursue the profession, the following is required:

  • a photograph is to be sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the licence card production costs are to be paid;
  • annual registration is renewed yearly. 

After a positive decision is issued, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology enters the candidate in the register of tourist guides. The Tourism and Hospitality Chamber of Slovenia provides tourist guides the following: certificate of entry in the register of tourist guides and a licence card that has to be visibly displayed while carrying out tour guide services.

The licence card production costs are paid using a universal payment order (UPN) that includes the following data:

Purpose of payment: UPRAVNA TAKSA ZA PPK

Recipient: UPRAVNE TAKSE, Župančičeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana

Account number: SI56 0110 0100 0315 637

Ref. no. 11 2130-7111002

The language exam (standard Slovene and Italian and Hungarian in ethnically mixed regions) is not part of the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications; in accordance with the regulations, language knowledge is examined upon the first employment

Attachments to the application must be submitted in the form of certified copies. If drawn up in a foreign language, a translation into Slovenian is to be enclosed.

Renewal term

There is no appeal against a decision issued by the competent ministry, though an administrative dispute may be initiated. An administrative dispute is commenced by an action

to be lodged directly with the Administrative Court of the Republic of Slovenia, Fajfarjeva 33, 1000 Ljubljana, during office hours or in due time by registered mail. If sent by registered mail, the date of posting is considered the date of delivery to the court. Two copies of the administrative act challenged and two copies of the action – either as transcription or copy – are to be enclosed.

The time limit to bring the action is 30 days from the service of the decision that concluded the procedure.

Pursuant to the Courts Fees Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia [Uradni list RS], Nos 37/08, 97/10, 63/13, 58/14 – Constitutional Court Decision, 19/15 – Constitutional Court Decision, 30/16, 10/17 – ZPP-E, 11/18 – ZIZ-L and 35/18 – Constitutional Court Decision), a court fee under Heading No. 6111 in the amount of EUR 148 is to be paid when the action is brought. The court fee payment is to be made to bank account No. 01100-8450088976.