Students from non-EU countries wishing to study in Slovenia will have to have at least 402 euros in their bank accounts monthly as proof that they can cover their costs.

This stricter requirement goes into effect this school year.

Interior Ministry State Secretary Božo Predalič said that students from third countries must prove for each month in advance that they have 402 euros in income.

He said that the government could not accept the Opposition's proposal that a statement by students’ parents or custodians that they would cover their costs could suffice because this rule had been abused in the past.

1 in 10 students at Slovenian universities foreigner

At Slovenian universities, a tenth of undergraduates are foreigners, and every second foreign student comes from the area of former Yugoslavia.

The Opposition claims that the stricter requirements will put an additional burden on third-country students who have been studying in Slovenia for some time now and who are from low-income families.