Property in Slovenia
A delightful gem in the corner of Central Europe, Slovenia's property market has enjoyed strong growth since joining the EU. Alpine scenery reminiscent of Switzerland, a stretch of Mediterranean coastline and a beautiful capital help make Slovenia a peaceful and inviting destination
Prices for Slovenia Properties from £10,100
Key facts
- Population: 2,010,000
- Capital: Ljubljana
- Approx. exchange rate: £1=€1.3
- Visas: None required
- Time difference: +1 GMT
- Flight time from UK: 2 hours
- Major airports: Brnik (Ljubljana), Graz or Klagenfurt (Austria), Zagreb (Croatia), Triest (Italy), Klagenfort (Austria)
- Dialling code: 00 386
Property in Slovenia
The Market: The beautiful outdoors
Slovenia’s variety of outstanding natural scenery, all wrapped up in a country the size of Wales, sets it apart from other emerging markets in Eastern and Central Europe. Lesser known than other hotspots, property prices have risen at a steep rate since the country joined the EU. In 2007 Slovenia became the first former communist bloc country to adopt the Euro, further opening it up to foreign investment, particularly from Brits. Yet the influx remains more of a trickle than a torrent and there are plenty of bargains to be had for the patient buyer.
In the north-west, Slovenia’s Julian Alps have year-round appeal thanks to the skiing in winter and hiking, rafting and riding in the warmer months. In this area, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are both stunning with mountain backdrops, while higher up are the popular resorts of Kranjska Gora and Bovec. Holiday apartments or chalets are the most popular choice for investors here. The north-east of the country is home to Maribor, Slovenia’s second city after the capital Ljubljana. Ryanair is looking to start flights between the city and London soon. Over 60 per cent of Slovenia is covered in trees and the landscape still harbours wild bears and unspoilt hamlets. Contrasting with the mountain scenery is the short stretch of coastline (approximately 30 kilometres). The pièce de resistance here is the Venetian town of Piran, with its Mediterranean-style beaches and pavement restaurants overlooking the sea. The capital, Ljubljana, is a lively city similar to Prague and with a large student population. Long-term rental opportunities exist here for young professionals or students. There are attractive character apartments available in the city centre, but these are limited and relatively highly priced; a more likely option could be one of the new-build developments in the suburbs, where one-bed apartments are available for under €150,000.
In all, Slovenia has a wide range of property options, as Tomaž Poredoš of local agent Nepremicnine sums up: “From apartments in the ski areas to the old traditional houses with forests and vineyards in the wine-growing areas, British people are buying all sorts of properties.”
