Slovenian healthcare continues to face staff shortages in 2026. In its Occupational Barometer for 2026, the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) forecast shortages across many occupations and singled out healthcare in particular. The survey covered 171 occupational groups, 98 of which were classified as shortage occupations.
For candidates with a healthcare qualification this means broad opportunities — from hospitals and community health centres to private providers, care homes and other services.
Note: the order below is not an official ZRSZ ranking, but an indicative overview of the most promising fields based on labour market needs.
1. Nurses and registered nurses
Nursing is the largest and most in-demand field in Slovenian healthcare. Job titles such as nurse, registered nurse and healthcare graduate overlap in advertisements, so we treat them together — and candidates should search under all of them.
Demand exists in hospitals, community health centres, care homes, specialist clinics and private healthcare. Careers can develop towards specialisation, management or teaching.
👉 All current vacancies: Nursing
2. Doctors and medical specialists
Doctors are among the most sought-after profiles, particularly in individual specialties. Positions are available in university medical centres, general hospitals, community health centres, specialist clinics and private providers.
👉 All current vacancies: Doctors · Medical specializations
3. Healthcare assistants and care workers
An ageing population and growing long-term care needs make care roles increasingly important, mainly in care homes, hospitals, social care institutions and long-term care providers.
👉 Nursing · Allied health professionals
4. Physiotherapists
Demand is growing due to an ageing population, rehabilitation after injury and surgery, and a stronger focus on prevention and movement. Physiotherapists work in hospitals, health centres, rehabilitation institutions, private practices, sports centres and care homes.
👉 All current vacancies: Rehabilitation
5. Nursing technicians
Nursing technicians are an essential part of the clinical team, supporting patient care and the wider team. Because job titles overlap in practice, searching under several terms is recommended.
👉 Nursing · Emergency medical services
6. Pharmacists
Pharmacy offers careers in community and hospital pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, research, drug development, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.
👉 Pharmacy · Pharmaceutical industry
7. Occupational therapists
Occupational therapy plays an important role in rehabilitation, patient independence and quality of life, in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, care homes, health centres and social care institutions.
8. Radiographers
Modern diagnostics increasingly depends on qualified medical imaging professionals, employed in hospitals, diagnostic centres and specialist clinics with radiology services.
👉 All current vacancies: Radiology
9. Laboratory scientists and technicians
Laboratory diagnostics is a core part of modern medicine, and automation and new diagnostic methods are creating additional career options.
10. Dentists
Dental medicine has a strong private sector and steady demand for dentists, dental assistants and related profiles.
👉 All current vacancies: Dental medicine
Why healthcare is one of the strongest fields for employment
ZRSZ data indicates shortages across many occupations in 2026, including healthcare. Employment figures point the same way: according to SURS, growth in the number of people employed in health and social care was among the strongest — in October 2025 there were 3.4 % more people working in the sector than a year earlier.
The drivers are structural: an ageing population, rising demand for healthcare, advances in medicine, rehabilitation, long-term care, retirement of existing staff and the growth of private healthcare.
How to search for healthcare jobs
Do not search under a single job title. A registered nurse may find relevant adverts under nurse, nursing, healthcare graduate or healthcare worker. Location matters too — for example nurse Ljubljana, doctor Maribor or physiotherapist Celje.
Looking for a job in healthcare? On a specialised portal you can search by profession, location, employer and type of employment.
Frequently asked questions
Which healthcare professions are most in demand in Slovenia in 2026?
Nursing, medicine, healthcare assistance, rehabilitation and specialist clinical services are among the most promising. ZRSZ forecasts shortages across many occupations in 2026, including healthcare.
Is there a shortage of nurses in Slovenia?
Yes. Nursing is one of the fields where demand is most pronounced, for nurses, registered nurses and healthcare graduates alike.
Which healthcare profession is the most in demand?
There is no single official ranking. ZRSZ does not publish a list of »most in-demand healthcare professions«; it assesses the balance between supply and demand by occupational group.
Is healthcare a good career choice?
Given long-term demand for healthcare services, an ageing population and staff shortages, healthcare is one of the fields with relatively good employment prospects.
Where can I look for healthcare jobs?
In hospitals, community health centres, private clinics, care homes, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry and other providers — or on a specialised job portal where vacancies are sorted by profession and location.
