Slovenia
lies in central Europe where the Alps and the Mediterranean
meet the Pannonian plains and the Karst on the borders of
Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy. A little under 2,000,000
people live in Slovenia about 270,000 of whom live in the
lively capital Ljubljana.
With the advent of the new budget airline
routes Slovenia’s spectacular Alpine ranges, meadows
brimming with flowers, sparkling rivers and fairy tale castles
are accessible with ease from anywhere within Europe.
Because of this ideal location and the country's
outstanding natural beauty, Slovenia is rapidly becoming a
choice place for discriminating Europeans to buy. Tourism
has been the fastest growing industry in the country for the
past five years.
This factor combined with new legislation
opening property to foreign buyers for the first time makes
it an ideal time to buy a home in the region. Holiday homes
are an increasing trend with many people currently buying
in Spain and France. However these markets are beginning to
saturate whilst Slovenia offers an ideal new market.
Slovenia itself has much to offer. It is unspoilt
unlike other regions of western Europe and is a paradise for
people who like the outdoors life with great opportunities
for hiking, skiing, riding, cycling, climbing, water sports,
golf, etc etc…. Add to this the cosmopolitan sophistication
of its capital Ljubljana and the charm of the many ancient
walled towns and you have an irresistible mix.
Slovenia was one of the new EU entrants in
2004, but is often confused with Slovakia. Slovenia is a Balkan
nation that was formerly part of greater Yugoslavia from which
it peacefully seceded in 1991. Adjacent to Italy, Croatia,
Hungary and Austria, it has a mountain range, the Julian Alps,
with good-quality ski runs, and an Adriatic coastline with
fine beaches.
Tourism is becoming the country’s fastest-growing
industry, with the lakeside towns of Bled and Bohinj taking
off as popular resorts. Bled has a picturesque island and
17th-century church, and is near the Julian Alps for winter
sports. The capital, Ljubljana, is a young and lively city
with a thriving café culture and a romantic, untouched
feel.
The coast along the Istrian Peninsula is
growing in popularity, particularly the towns of Koper, Piran
and Potoroz, which are steeped in history and have Venetian
influences. Bear in mind, however, that as this is a tiny
country, with barely two million inhabitants, there are a
lot fewer houses available to buy than in many other countries
in the region.
Post joining the EU, property ownership has
become an open market. In fact, the Slovenians have embraced
Capitalism and many expats and wealthy Slovene citizens got
in early on the act by buying up houses in prime locations.
The rush has seen prices in Ljubljana increase by 10 per cent
per annum in the decade leading up to EU accession, and 15-20
per cent since.
Plenty of investment opportunities remain,
however, often at rock bottom prices in the countryside. £30,000
will buy you a three-bedroom house with outbuildings in the
Crnomelj region in south-east Slovenia. Elsewhere, prices
are higher. A four-bedroom house in Bled with holiday-home
potential costs around £150,000 and upwards.
basic
Slovenia information | Slovenia
- A Little Jewel | Slovenia
- Prosperous ? | Facts
about Slovenia |
Ljubljana
- capital of Slovenia | The
Property Market in Slovenia |
Buyer's
Guide | Why
buy property in Slovenia? |
Investment
Advice
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