EMŠO (Slovenian personal identification number)

The Central Population Register Act (ZCRP) sets out the structure. EMŠO has 13 digits: the first seven are the date of birth (two digits for the day, two for the month and three for the year), the eighth and ninth are the register code, the tenth to twelfth are a serial number that also shows sex (000 to 499 for men, 500 to 999 for women), and the last is a check digit. For foreigners it is based on the data in their identity document.

Registers kept under Slovenian law use EMŠO to identify people, so it appears in employment, insurance and tax records.

gov.si says EMŠO is assigned to a foreigner only if they exercise rights or obligations in Slovenia. You send the request to the body responsible for the reason you need it:

• Work or employment of third-country nationals: the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ).
• Health insurance for you or a family member, and employment of EU citizens: the Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS).
• Pension and disability insurance: ZPIZ.
• Tax: the Financial Administration (FURS).
• Your status as a foreigner, including a long-stay D visa: the administrative unit (upravna enota).

A non-EU nurse or doctor on a single residence and work permit will usually need it for the employment and health insurance steps, so ask your employer which body is requesting it before you send a form yourself.

1. Fill in the form "Zahtevek za določitev enotne matične številke (EMŠO)" in full, in block capitals, and sign it by hand.
2. Mark the reason in the top right corner and attach the matching evidence.
3. Attach a copy of your passport or both sides of your identity card.
4. If someone, such as your employer, applies for you, attach your signed authorisation.
5. Write the exact postal address where you will receive the notice.

For reasons not covered by the list, you send the form and evidence to the Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration, by post or scanned to [email protected]. The Ministry assigns the number within three working days of a complete request and sends the notice by registered post.

• Wrong office. The request goes to the body linked to your purpose, so send a work-related request through the Employment Service route, not the Ministry.
• Missing evidence. Without proof of the reason, the request cannot be processed.
• Wrong birth date or sex. The Act says an EMŠO based on a wrong date of birth or sex is cancelled and a new one assigned; other changes, such as a new name, keep the same number.
• Address. The notice goes by registered post, so give an address where you can sign for it.

EMŠO is separate from your professional licence from the Medical Chamber of Slovenia or Nurses and Midwives Association. See Slovenia.