Purpose Resilience has become an important concept in health research, addressing mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to translate, adapt, and evaluate psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), using a sample of general population and cancer survivors. Methods The original version of the RS-14 was first back-translated and pilot tested. The factor structure was assessed with an exploratory analysis and confirmed with a confirmatory analysis. To assess reliability, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest (ICC, t student test) were determined. Measurement validity was assessed with demographic (age and gender) and psychological characteristics (symptoms of anxiety and depression and health-related quality of life). Results An exploratory factor analysis revealed one-factor solution in both samples and the fit indexes showed an acceptable model fit. Internal consistency showed excellent values (0.91–0.96), and test–retest reliability was found to be acceptable ( ICC  = 0.89). Significant correlations were found between RS-14 and anxiety and depression HADS subscales in Sample 1 ( r  = − 0.62, − 0.72 for anxiety and depression) and Sample 2 ( r  = − 0.43, r  = − 0.51 for anxiety and depression) and the majority of EQ-5D subscales (usual activities, pain, anxiety/depression). Conclusion The study showed that the Slovenian version of the RS-14 test scores is valid and stable. Trial registration number: 0120–25/2019/6