The cost of living in Slovenia

Features of the budget

Slovenia is a very small country, therefore most of the foreigners live in the capital, Ljubljana. Comparing the cost of living in the two capitals – Moscow and Ljubljana – you can say that in Moscow you will need a slightly bigger budget (about 10%) to ensure a similar level of comfort. With regard to rental housing in both capitals, Moscow will need about €1350, and in Ljubljana about $1225 per month. The Russian capital is considerably inferior in the cost of rental housing, but allows more economical to spend the family budget in terms of prices for food (mainly due to the significant difference in exchange rates).

In 2011, the rating company Mercer Slovenia finished in 104th place out of 214 countries in terms of cost of living for foreigners.

Food prices

According to data portal Numbeo, the cost of the food basket the average for Slovenia is the following:

• Milk (1 liter) – €1
• Loaf of fresh white bread – €1,5
• Rice (1 kg) – €1,5
• Eggs (12 pieces) – €2
• Local cheese (1 kg) – €6-10
• Chicken fillet (1 kg) – €6,5
• Fruit (apples, oranges, bananas) – €1,15-1,3
• Vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, onions) – €1-2,5
• Drinking bottled water (1.5 l) – €0,6
• Bottle of wine – €5
• Local beer (0,5 l) – €0,6
• Imported beer (0,33 l) – €2,53
• A pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) – €3,6

For lunch in an inexpensive restaurant in Slovenia will have to pay €6-€8, while for two people a three course dinner in the restaurant of the middle class will cost about €20-€40. In online school fast food (like McDonald's) lunch will cost €5, while a standard Cup of cappuccino in a restaurant costs about €1,2.

Clothing, entertainment, communications

Levi's jeans cost about €75, summer dress in a chain store can be bought for €31, and men's shoes or sneakers will cost €80-€90.

Monthly membership in the fitness club can be purchased for €40, - hour tennis court rent in the weekend will cost at least €10, and one ticket to the cinema costs €6.

Internet tariffs for connection with a speed of 10 MB will cost €25 per month. And the minute prepaid local call on a mobile phone – at €0,10.

Rent and maintaining the property

Foreigners in Slovenia offers a wide range of options for rental property – bed-places in the common room to a fully furnished apartment or home. For rental, it is desirable to use the services of professional and reliable realtor, especially if the foreigner is not sufficiently fluent in the Slovene language.

Prices for rental accommodation in Slovenia range from €300 to €500 per month for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre, up to €500-€800 a month for three-bedroom apartments. In this case, a one bedroom apartment outside the city costs €250-€400 per month, and three bedroom apartment around €400-€650 per month.

Utility bills for the apartment area of 85 square meters is about €150- €280 per month. They include water, heating, electricity and garbage collection.

Education

The official language throughout the country is Slovenian, so the training is mainly conducted in the official language, but in some regions, for example, in Slovenian Istria and Prekmurje native languages are Italian and Hungarian, so the training here is conducted in two languages. So, in Istria curriculum can be taught in Italian and Slovenian language is taught as a compulsory subject, and Vice versa: classes are held in Slovene and Italian language is the second mandatory. Other languages of national minorities are widely spread in Slovenia, but their status is not fixed at the official level. International schools can provide education entirely in English or French.

Higher education in Slovenia is represented by both state and private universities, and the curricula are taught in Slovene and in Italian, English, French or German. The higher education system implies a cost (at public expense) and paid training (paid by the student), and the cost depends on the University, specialty and academic achievement. The universities of Slovenia consists of the Bologna system where higher education can be obtained in several stages: bachelor, master, doctor.

The cost of training and tertiary education in Slovenia is lower in comparison with the European average indicators. For example, a year of study at the University of Ljubljana is the oldest and one of the three state Universities in the country – worth €1500-€3000 per year for undergraduate program, and €2200-€ for a master's or doctoral program.

The student ID gives a lot of advantages and opportunities to get discounts.

Accommodation in a student dormitory costs €100-€150 a month, food in University canteen will cost the same amount per month, and a student ticket costs about €20. Students coming to Slovenia on the exchange, can participate in the distribution of state grants and to apply for a scholarship.

Transport

The public transport system in most cities is well established and is provided by buses, trams and metro. Bicycle is a perfect vehicle for students, hobbyists to save money and time on traffic jams.

Gasoline prices in Slovenia range from €1,47 €1.55 per litre. The cost of the ticket one way on city bus costs €1,20 and travel, valid for a month costs €37. The taxi fares start at €1.20 per landing and by €1 for every km of the way.

Those who want to buy Volkswagen Golf 1.4 or similar car model, expect to pay around €16 000 to€19 000. For driving or car will need an EU or international driving license.

Long-distance travel in the country are provided with a developed network of train and bus routes, the cost of which is generally acceptable to all citizens.

Medical service

Since the entry of Slovenia into the EU, were approved by the uniform standards of the health care system and compulsory medical insurance. Now medicine Slovenia is at a very high level, according to some estimates is comparable to the level of medicine in Austria.

The policy of compulsory medical insurance issued after obtaining the residence permit and only covers basic medical services. A comprehensive service covering all expenses, is possible only under the additional insurance, the cost of which, depending on the chosen insurance company will be around €27-€30 per month. Standard cold medicines (Frenadol, Coldrex, and their analogs) is available to buy at the drugstore for €10.

Portal HomesOverseas.ru thanks for the help in the preparation of the manuscript Anna Kazan (the Real Agency Biro / Property – Slovenia) and Tina Vesenjak-Ms. E. pavli ( MIRAG).

Olga Shoshina

HomesOverseas.ru