Slovenia has introduced a number of measures in connection with the coronavirus (covid-19). For more information about the coronavirus, see “Health”.
Safety
Slovenia is a safe country to travel to and to stay in. The danger of terror is no greater than in Norway. Common caution should be exercised, and necessary precautions should be taken against pickpockets and other forms of everyday crime that may occur in large cities and foreign countries.
Always remember to bring your passport and make sure you have valid travel insurance. Most Slovenians understand English. German and Italian are also widely used.
Parts of Slovenia are in a geological fault and are thus exposed to earthquakes. Most earthquakes are small and barely noticeable to humans, but from time to time the land is hit by larger earthquakes. The last devastating earthquake occurred in the summer of 2004, at Bovec in the Soca Valley, northwest of the country.
The northeastern parts of Slovenia are subject to flooding, especially along the Krka and Sava rivers. The country was hit by three significant floods in 2014, which paralyzed parts of the road network and caused human and material damage.
Flooding occurs in large amounts of rainfall, especially along the rivers east of the country. In the Alps and in the Caravans, there is occasionally danger of snowfall. Instructions and recommendations from local authorities should be followed.
Normal care should be taken when driving on roads in Slovenia, especially on off-road roads. A high number of fatalities are primarily due to high speeds on narrow winding roads. Traveling by plane, rail or ferry carries no special risk.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Slovenia is part of the Schengen cooperation and Norwegians do not need an entry visa to Slovenia. Passports must always be carried anyway in order to identify themselves when traveling to and during stays in Slovenia. For Norwegians, the passport is the only internationally valid travel document. Norwegian driver’s license is valid in Slovenia.
Upon entry to or transit in Slovenia, the following valid documents are also accepted: emergency passport, refugee travel document (green travel document), travel document for persons on humanitarian grounds (blue travel document).
Always bring with you the blue European health insurance card that is valid in all EEA countries. It is strongly recommended that all travelers to Slovenia also take out their own travel and sickness insurance before leaving, for example. home transport is not covered by the European Health Insurance Card, which provides only the right to emergency treatment at public hospitals and health stations.
Travelers to the country are exempt from customs duties on goods intended for personal use (luggage). There is an 18-year age limit for tobacco and alcohol imports.
When introducing pets, all animals must, as a rule, be ID-marked (chip or tattoo) and have an EU passport. For more information, see the relevant page on the slovenia.info portal.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.
Slovenian authorities have introduced quarantine for all (Slovenians and discharges) arriving in Slovenia from abroad.
The quarantine provision does not apply to migrant workers, persons transporting goods to or in transit through Slovenia and persons traveling through Slovenia to another country on the same day. The instruction applies to workers who cross the threshold for seasonal work. The provisions apply to all border crossings including airports, ports and railway crossings.
All domestic public transport by bus and train has been stopped, and also international train traffic in all directions. There are exceptions to taxi traffic, but the taxis must carry out regular disinfection.
A temporary ban on public gathering at public meetings and public events and other events in public places in Slovenia has been introduced, as well as a ban on movement outside the municipality or city where one has permanent or temporary residence.
Cafes, restaurants and regular shops are closed. Exceptions for pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, post offices, kiosks and gas stations that can stay open as usual. A separate time window has been introduced for vulnerable groups to act in safety, and during the period 08.00-10.00 only persons in vulnerable groups (persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant) have access to shops and pharmacies. Previously, all universities, schools and kindergartens were closed. The authorities specifically encourage people in risk categories to stay home.
The Slovenian Ministry of Health, NIJZ (National Institute for Public Health) is responsible for the follow-up. A call center has been set up with telephone number 080 1404 (from abroad +386 1 478 7550) where you can call for guidance on how to behave, including how to act if you think you have been infected or become ill. The phone is open every day from 8am to 8pm.
- See government website Coronavirus disease covid-19(in English)
- Advice on avoiding infection of the Slovene authorities (in English)
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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No special vaccines are required. However, if you are going to stay much in the woods during the hot season, vaccines against meningitis caused by ticks are recommended.
Slovenia has a relatively well-developed health system, with public hospitals and both private and public medical offices. Health and sanitation are about the same as in Norway.
Through the EEA agreement, Norwegian citizens have the right to public health services in line with Slovenian citizens. It is recommended to take out your own travel and health insurance before leaving. In addition, European health insurance cards that are valid in all EEA countries should be obtained.
Practical information
The power supply in Slovenia is at 220V, 50 Hz. The country uses two-hole sockets (as in Norway). According to allcitycodes, telephone country code is +386. International calls from Slovenia, prefix: 00 (then national area code to recipient country)
The currency unit in Slovenia is the euro (EUR). 1 EUR = 100 cents.
Most credit cards are accepted. There are a number of ATMs for cash withdrawals.
When driving on Slovenian motorways, a toll (so-called “vignette”) must be paid. For more information, read more on the Slovenia Tourist Office’s website.
Opening hours vary between the different companies. Banks will normally be open from 9 am – 5 pm weekdays, but is closed Saturday and Sunday. Public offices usually open at 08:00 and closes at 14.00. Most offices are open longer (usually until 4pm) one day a week.
Stores open between 7 p.m. 08:00 and 09:00 and closes between 10:00 and 16:00. 5pm and 8pm, depending on where you are. The malls outside Ljubljana are also open on Sundays and closes at. 21:00 every day except Sunday, then they close at 15:00. In most of the city centers, all shops are closed after 10 p.m. 2 pm on Saturdays.
The post office is open weekdays from 10.00. From 08.00 to 18.00. On Saturdays, opening hours are limited to 2 p.m. 8:00 to 12:00. On Sundays, the post offices are closed, with the exception of some central post offices, including the post office at the Ljubljana railway station which is always open.
National holidays are: 1st and 2nd New Year’s Day, February 8th – Slovenian Culture Day, 1st Easter Day, April 27th – Memorial Day for Resistance to Occupation, 1st. and May 2, June 25 – National Day, August 15 – Assumption Day, October 31 – Reformation Day, November 1 – All Saints Day, December 25 – Christmas Day, December 26 – Independence Day.
Emergency number: Emergency center/fire department 112, police 113, ambulance 112, hospital 522 5050. Information about a 24-hour pharmacy (Ljubljana): 230 6230. Bilberging/Slovenske Automobilforbund (AMZS): 1987
In crisis and emergency, the embassy can be contacted:
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Ostrom u. 13, H-1015 Budapest, Hungary
Phone: + 36-1-325 33 00 (Hungary)
Phone: +47 23 95 27 00 (Norway)
Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00 E-mail: UDops@mfa.no