Safety and security

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local regulations, customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Terrorism

Although the threat from terrorism in Slovenia is low, there is still a global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Given the terrorist attacks that have taken place in other European cities, Irish citizens are advised to follow the advice of police and local authorities and to exercise a high level of vigilance, especially when travelling on public transport, if attending large public gatherings or other crowded locations. The attacks elsewhere indicate that they could occur at any time and could target tourist attractions, restaurants, transport hubs or other public areas. Citizens should remain aware of their surroundings and ensure they have access to exits or escape routes at all times.

Crime

Crime remains low in Slovenia but you should take sensible precautions. 

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. 
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafes, train and bus stations.
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.

Reporting a crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Slovenia, you should report it to the local police immediately and get a report. The telephone number for the Police is 113 and the general emergency number is 112. You can also contact us at the Irish Embassy in Ljubljana if you need help.

Driving

The rules of the road in Slovenia are broadly similar to those in Ireland, and roads are modern and well maintained. Roads are generally not lit outside urban areas so please take extra care when driving at night.

Slovenia has introduced a modern electronic tolling system for heavy vehicles (weight > 3.5 tonnes). Under this system, only those vehicles registered with the DarsGo system, equipped with a DarsGo Unit and with valid financial coverage for electronic toll payments will be able to use Slovenian motorways and expressways.

For further information concerning registration etc, please click on the following link: www.darsgo.si

If you want to drive:

• Bring your full Irish driving licence and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught.
• Be aware of Slovenia’s traffic laws, such as speed limits.
• The rider and passenger on a motorcycle or motorised bicycle must both wear strapped homologised crash helmets and it’s against the law to carry children under 12 on a motorcycle.
• Heavy on-the-spot fines are in place for traffic offences such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and for using mobile telephones without a hands-free device. There are also fines for jay walking.
• You must drive with dipped headlights at all times, even during the day.

Hiring a vehicle

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged). If hiring a car in another country, you must tell the hire company that you are planning to travel to Slovenia in order to get proper cover.

Alcohol

It’s illegal for professional drivers (class C, D and E) to drive with any alcohol in their system. The blood/alcohol limit is 0.05 for all drivers of private vehicles and motorcycles. In Ireland, the limit is 0.08.

Anyone suspected of driving or attempting to operate a vehicle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs must submit to a breath test or a medical examination. Drivers who refuse to submit to a breath test are presumed to have been driving while intoxicated.

Driving on the motorway

Slovenia has a vignette system for motorway travel. Every vehicle under 3.5 tons must have a vignette to drive on motorways and expressways. Weekly, monthly and yearly vignettes are available. The police monitor motorway use, and stop motorists who do not have a vignette. Failure to have or display a vignette will lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to €800. You can find information about prices and locations of where to buy the vignettes on the Motorway Company of the Republic of Slovenia (DARS) website.

Winter equipment

From mid-November to mid-March and during winter weather conditions outside of these dates, vehicles up to 3.5 tons must be fitted with winter tyres. Under certain conditions, snow chains will suffice. You can find out more on the Automobile Association of Slovenia website.

Hiking

Slovenia is a popular hiking destination for tourists, and every year the Mountain Rescue Service of Slovenia is called upon to rescue foreign visitors in distress on Slovenia’s hiking trails – frequently due to poor preparation. If you intend to hike in Slovenia, it is important to ensure that you plan your route in advance in accordance with your level of physical fitness, learn about the terrain, and bring appropriate equipment. In the event of emergency, call 112 to contact emergency services.

Local laws and customs

Health

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

European Health Insurance Card

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.

Apply for your EHIC and find out more information.

The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens don’t need a visa to enter Slovenia, but please ensure that your passport is valid for the length of your stay. A number of airlines during the checking-in process require that a passport would also be valid on the date of the return flight.  It is therefore advisable to renew a passport to ensure validity of the passport for the entire period of travel and any visa or other requirements.

If you intend staying in Slovenia for a long time, we advise you to register with the Irish Embassy in Slovenia.

Registration

If you are you staying at a private address in Slovenia, your host must register you at the local police station within 72 hours. This is not necessary if you are staying in a hotel or at a campsite

Proof of identity

You must carry personal proof of identity at all times (passport, national ID document or driving licence). Anyone failing to produce photo ID when requested may be fined on the spot. The fines can range from €400 to €800, with a 50% reduction for fines paid within eight days. We recommend that you carry at least a photocopy of your passport or other identity document at all times, and original documentation where possible.

Money

Slovenia uses the euro. ATMs are widely available and major credit cards/travellers’ cheques are accepted. You can withdraw cash from your Irish account if your ATM card has a Maestro or Cirrus symbol. Banks and bureaux de change will change travellers’ cheques, sterling and other main currencies.