Slovenia
Country Specific Information
On this page »
March 19, 2013

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the European Union. Tourist facilities are widely available throughout the country. Slovenian is the official language; English is not widely spoken outside of major cities and tourist attractions. Additional information on the country can be found on the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Slovenia. 

Back to Top

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Slovenia, please take the time to tell us about your trip. If you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements, and help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.

U.S. Embassy Ljubljana, Consular Section  
Presernova 31
Ljubljana 1000 
Telephone: (386) (1) 200-5595 
Emergency after-hours telephone: (386) (1) 200-5556 
Facsimile: (386) (1) 200-5535
E-mail: ACSLjubljana@state.gov

Back to Top

ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: Information on visa and other entry requirements for Slovenia is available from the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia at 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 386-6601, email: vwa@gov.si, website: http://washington.embassy.si/ or the Consulate General in Cleveland, Ohio, tel. (216) 589-9220, email: kcl@gov.si. Visit the website of Slovenia’s national tourist office for additional travel-related information. 

Slovenia is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter and remain in the Schengen Zone, including Slovenia, without a visa for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes within a six-month period. To enter Slovenia, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the country; you may also be required to show that you have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket out of the Schengen Zone. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.

If you want to remain in Slovenia longer than 90 days within a six month period, you will need to either apply for a visa prior to entering the Schengen Zone or apply for temporary residency soon after you arrive in Slovenia. The process of applying for residency can be quite time consuming and among other documentation requirements, U.S. citizens must submit a FBI criminal records certificate that has been apostilled by the Department of State’s Office of Authentications. Please see the U.S. Embassy’s website for details on obtaining a residence permit and criminal records check. Individuals who remain in Slovenia and the Schengen Zone beyond 90 days without a residency permit may face fines, deportation, and/or criminal charges.

Note: Although European Union (EU) regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If you, as a U.S. citizen, wish to ensure that your entry is properly documented, you may need to ask for a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in the Schengen Zone and could face possible fines or other repercussions, if unable to do so. 

All foreigners in Slovenia must carry official identification at all times; for U.S. citizens, this means either your Slovene residence card or your U.S. passport. All non-EU citizens staying longer than three days in Slovenia must register with the local police within 72 hours of arrival and inform the local police station of any change in their address. If you are staying at a hotel or an apartment/house rented through a company, the management will handle the registration on your behalf. Visitors who are staying with family members or friends or who are camping must complete the registration themselves. Registration is available 24 hours a day at police stations and is free of charge. Failure to register can result in fines up to 400 Euros. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Slovenia.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Back to Top

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Slovenia remains free of terrorist incidents. Like other countries in the Schengen Zone, however, Slovenia shares open borders with three of its neighbors, allowing for the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity. We remind U.S. citizens to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution while traveling in Slovenia. 

While civil disorder is rare in Slovenia, there are occasional strikes, protests and other public demonstrations. Protests in Ljubljana are usually held in areas around Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), opposite the Slovenian Parliament, and, sometimes, near the U.S. Embassy. While most demonstrations are peaceful and not anti-American in nature, some participants have occassionally expressed anti-U.S. sentiments. As all demonstrations can potentially turn confrontational or even violent, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid these events whenever possible, and to exercise caution when in the vicinity of any such gathering. For additional information, we encourage U.S. citizens to check the Embassy’s website or call the Embassy at 386-1-200-5595 (200-5556 after hours and on weekends/holidays). 

Stay up to date by:

Back to Top

CRIME: Slovenia’s overall crime rate is low and violent crimes are relatively uncommon. Most crimes tend to be directed towards obtaining personal property, such as purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and residential and vehicle break-ins. Visitors should take normal security precautions and report any incidents to the local police. 

Vehicle break-in/theft is a continuing problem in Slovenia. You should always lock your vehicles, use vehicle anti-theft devices, park in well-lighted areas, and if possible, secure vehicles in residential or hotel garages. To guard against residential burglaries, it is advisable to implement preventative security measures such as rolling down shutters and locking windows and doors when not at home and keeping garage doors closed. 

We urge U.S. citizens to exercise caution with so-called "gentlemen's clubs". A few such establishments have presented foreign customers with grossly inflated bar bills, sometimes in the thousands of dollars, and threatened those customers who refuse to pay.

Back to Top

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the Embassy (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). The Consular Section at the Embassy in Ljubljana can be reached during the workday by calling 386-1-200-5595 and afterhours by calling 386-1-200-5556. To contact the police in Slovenia in the event of an emergency, dial 113. For medical emergencies, dial 112.

We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport;
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of a violent crime, such as assault or rape;
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friends; and
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

Back to Top

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Slovenia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. If you break local laws in Slovenia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in countries where you will be traveling. And certain crimes may result in you being prosecuted both in a foreign country and in the U.S. For instance, engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography is illegal in Slovenia and these actions are also prosecutable in the United States. Persons violating Slovenian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Slovenia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Slovenia, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the Embassy to your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the Embassy.

Back to Top

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Traveler’s checks are not universally accepted in Slovenia. ATMs are prevalent in all major cities and are increasingly common in rural areas and credit cards are widely accepted.

Slovenia’s authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation, exportation and use of firearms. You should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington DC or the Consulate General in Cleveland if you are planning to transport a firearm into or out of Slovenia. 

Accessibility: While in Slovenia, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The Slovenian government has implemented laws and programs to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to buildings, information, and communications. In practice, however, modification of public and private structures to improve access is proceeding at a slow pace, and many buildings are not easily accessible. Most tourist destinations around Slovenia are accessible by those with disabilities.

Back to Top

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Adequate medical care is readily available. Travelers to Slovenia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians on the U.S. Embassy’s website. Antibiotics, as well as other U.S.-equivalent prescription medications are available at local pharmacies. In Slovenia all medications, including drugs considered over-the-counter and first aid supplies, are dispensed through pharmacies (called “lekarna”). Please see the Embassy’s website for a list of pharmacies open 24 hours. 

Persons who engage in outdoor activities may wish to take a vaccine to prevent tick-borne encephalitis. You can find useful information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website, which also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Back to Top

MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In Slovenia, doctors and hospitals generally expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover expenses incurred outside the U.S. or may require that you bear the costs of paying out-of-pocket and later request reimbursement. American citizens, who are unexpectedly injured or become seriously ill in Slovenia, frequently face sizeable medical bills. Medical evacuation via air ambulance back to the States can cost more than $80,000 and the assistance that the Embassy can offer in such cases is very restricted. If your insurance policy will not cover expenses occurred in Slovenia and elsewhere in your travels, it’s a very good idea to take out a separate policy for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Back to Top

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Slovenia, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Slovenia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. 

Driving: Slovenia has a well-developed road network that is safe for travel. Highways connect to neighboring cities and countries, and are clearly marked; road signs and traffic rules are consistent with those used throughout Europe. As the number of cars in Slovenia continues to rise, roads are becoming more heavily congested during the weekends and during rush hours. Parking is difficult and can be expensive in the center of Ljubljana. Third-party liability insurance is required for all vehicles; coverage is purchased locally. Travelers driving rented automobiles from Croatia into Slovenia are generally able to purchase Slovene insurance at the border. However, at the smaller border crossings or during peak travel times, it can take several hours to arrange such coverage. Travelers should be alert to aggressive drivers both in cities and on highways. Many of the serious accidents in Slovenia occur as a result of high-speed driving. Emergency roadside assistance and towing services is available by dialing 1987. Dial 112 for an ambulance or fire brigade, and 113 for police. By Slovenian law, the maximum legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05. 

Traffic moves on the right. The speed limit is 50kph/30 mph in most urban areas and 130 kph/80 mph on expressways (the avtocesta). Motorists are required to have their headlights on during the daytime; drivers and passengers alike must wear seat belts; motorcyclists and their passengers must wear approved helmets. The use of hand-held cellular telephones while driving is prohibited in Slovenia and turning right on red is not allowed. 

Between November 15th and March 15th, the use of winter tires is mandated by law. All-season tires are permitted if they carry the MS mark and have at least 4 mm of tread. In addition, local police may require chains in heavy snow. Failure to possess the proper tires/chains may result in a substantial fine and the suspension of the cited vehicle's use. Insurance may be deemed void if a vehicle which is involved in an accident between November 15 and March 15 is not fitted with winter tires.

Vignettes: Highway vignettes (which are purchased in the form of windshield stickers) are obligatory for all passenger vehicles using expressways in Slovenia. A one-year vignette costs EUR 95, a monthly vignette costs EUR 30, and a weekly vignette costs EUR 15. For motorcycles, a one-year vignette is EUR 47.50, a half-year vignette is EUR 25, and a weekly vignette is EUR 7.50. One of the most common problems faced by U.S. citizens visiting Slovenia is being pulled over on a highway for driving without a vignette. Drivers without a vignette may be fined between EUR 300-800 and must also immediately purchase a vignette. Simply buying a vignette and placing it on the dashboard is not sufficient – the vignette must be permanently affixed to the windshield of the vehicle. Vignettes can be purchased in Slovenia at gas stations, newsstands, automobile clubs, post offices (Posta Slovenije), and some toll stations, As well as at some gas stations in neighboring countries.

Driver’s licenses: U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Slovenia must be in possession of both a valid U.S. driver’s license and an International Driver’s License in order to drive legally in Slovenia. This combination of U.S. and an International Driver’s Licenses is valid for a maximum of one year, after which time individuals are required to obtain a Slovenian driver’s license. Two automobile associations are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue International Driver’s Licenses: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club ). 

Current information about traffic and road conditions is available in English from the Automobile Association of Slovenia by calling (01) 530-5300 and from the Traffic Information Center for Public Roads.

Taxis: While Ljubljana's taxis are generally safe, clean, and reliable, taxi drivers at the airport, some hotels, and main railway stations have been known to overcharge tourists by shutting off their meters. When using a taxi, you should first ask about the rate and check to see that the meter is running during the journey.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Slovenia's national tourist office and the Slovenian Roads Agency.

Back to Top

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Slovenia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Slovenia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Back to Top

CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

Back to Top

* * *

This replaces the Country Specific Information for Slovenia dated July 05, 2012.

Back to Top

Worldwide Caution

Travel Warnings

Travel Alerts

Country Information

US Flag