Germany asks Slovenian firms for two contracts when posting non-EU workers

Identify the posting and the worker’s residence status

A Slovenian company sending a non-EU worker to perform a temporary contracted service in Germany should check the German Embassy in Ljubljana’s service visa instructions. The embassy describes the route commonly called Vander Elst for workers who are lawfully employed by the Slovenian firm and normally work in Slovenia. The sending firm must have its centre of business activity there. Direct recruitment by a German business has a separate immigration basis.

Germany’s Residence Act Section 19c permits residence for employment where the Employment Ordinance or a qualifying international arrangement permits admission. The embassy’s checklist identifies Section 19c together with Section 21 of the Employment Ordinance for this procedure. The immigration question is whether the person is carrying out the Slovenian employer’s temporary service. A worker’s job title alone does not answer it.

Check the limited exemption before arranging travel

Section 17a of the Residence Ordinance provides an exemption for people who have EU long-term resident status in another member state and carry out qualifying services for up to 90 days within twelve months. The Ljubljana embassy identifies the Slovenian document marked rezident za daljši čas – ES as evidence of that status. Check the actual wording on the card and count qualifying time already spent providing services in Germany.

An ordinary Slovenian residence card is different from the EU long-term status required by that particular exemption. For a project planned in several stages, give the embassy the complete schedule, including earlier assignments. A project that exceeds the statutory time limit needs its own assessment before the worker is sent. The exemption addresses the need for a German residence title. Employers should check social security and posting obligations separately.

Use the employer and client records to explain the assignment

The Ljubljana checklist asks for the worker’s employment contract and the service agreement between the Slovenian provider and the German client. It also requests evidence of actual business activity in Slovenia, such as VAT returns, and proof of lawful employment there, such as social insurance evidence. Prepare both contracts so the applicant’s role can be matched to the services the client commissioned.

The employer’s confirmation should give the tasks, German work address, expected start and end dates and confirmation of minimum pay. The checklist also asks for passport and photograph, current Slovenian residence card, registration history and a European health insurance card valid for the assignment. Compare the project dates across the contract, letter and insurance before the appointment.

Plan wage and social insurance compliance separately

Germany’s Federal Labour Ministry lists the general gross minimum wage as €13.90 per hour in 2026 and €14.60 from 1 January 2027. It explains that the general rule also covers people working in Germany for foreign employers. Where an assignment crosses the year boundary, budget for the new rate from January and check whether higher sector-specific requirements apply to the actual work.

Slovenia’s government SPOT guidance explains the A1 process for documenting the applicable social security system during work abroad. The employer should identify the correct basis for a single posting or regular work in multiple countries and apply through the procedure for that category. Keep the social insurance paperwork with the employment records. The A1 document addresses social insurance. Check the German immigration position independently. The Slovenian instructions also require employers and posted workers to notify the Slovenian health insurance institution of changes during the assignment.

Use Ljubljana’s appointment and fee instructions

Book through the German embassy’s appointment system and use the required local checklist. The embassy says a person authorised by the applicant can deliver the application in this procedure, while the applicant must personally sign it. Check the representation instructions before sending anyone. The checklist lists a €75 or €90 charge depending on visa validity and accepts cash or specified cards. Confirm the applicable amount with the mission for the planned dates.