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Travel Insurance Slovenia

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Slovenia Country Guide

  1. Country Facts
  2. Health
  3. Media
  1. Intro
  2. Geography
  3. People
  4. Travel
  5. Embassies & Visas
  6. Finance
  7. Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region: Europe
Full Name: Republic of Slovenia
Capital City: Ljubljana
Language Spoken: Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4% (2002 census)

Slovenia Travel Insurance

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Geographic data

46 07 N, 14 49 E

Elevation Extremes

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m

Land boundaries

total: 1,382 km border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Hungary 102 km, Italy 280 km

Natural hazards

flooding and earthquakes

Natural resources

lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower, forests

Land use

arable land: 8.53% permanent crops: 1.43% other: 90.04% (2005)

Environmental current issues

Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain

Climate

Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snowfalls in the Alps). Mediterranean climate on the coast. Required clothing Mediumweight clothing and heavy overcoats in winter; lightweight clothing and raincoats for the summer, particularly for the higher Alpine north.

Time difference

time difference: UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Population

2,010,347 (July 2006 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 143,079/female 135,050) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 714,393/female 702,950) 65 years and over: 15.7% (male 121,280/female 193,595) (2006 est.)

Median age

total: 40.6 years male: 39 years female: 42.2 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.05% (2006 est.)

Birth rate

8.98 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate

10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate

0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.33 years male: 72.63 years female: 80.29 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Business Practices

Suit and tie are recommended for business meetings. Appointments are usual and visitors should be punctual. Visiting cards are essential. Slovenian business managers are quite familiar with Western-type market economy philosophy and customs. Management style in Slovenia tends to concentrate decision-making on senior management. Executives will generally have a good knowledge of German, English and sometimes Italian. Slovenes place a premium on personal contacts, and correspondence and visits play significant roles in the conduct of business in Slovenia. Clarity and continuity in communication are important. Office hours are 0800-1600 Monday to Friday.

Crime

Slovenia continues to be a safe country for travel and business. Street crimes, as in any developed country, include the occasional stolen auto, pick-pocketing, graffiti painting, etc. Sensible precautions should be taken when carrying money in busy tourist areas.

Hotels

Comfortable accommodation is available in all major cities in Slovenia, many are business class or resort hotels. Office space or housing can be rented through a specialized local agency or by individual advertisements in local daily newspapers.

Communications

Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 386 and the outgoing international code is 00 The use of e-mail is increasingly available. Telephone calling card services are not available in-country, and long-distance charges tend to be high, even by European standards. In many areas only pulse telephone lines are available, though tone dialing availability is increasing. Fax services to and from Western Europe are available. Telex facilities are limited. Post office hours: 0800-1900 Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 Saturday.

Electricity

is a 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Plug Types

C,F

Food And Dining

Slovenia's national cuisine shows an Austro-German influence with sauerkraut, grilled sausage and apple strudel often appearing on menus.

National specialties:
? The best-known Slovene foods are the breads made for special occasions, which appear in the form of braided loaves or wreathes: the struklji stuffed with sweet fillings, meat or vegetables.
? Another Slovene specialty is potica, a dessert prepared with a wide variety of fillings. National drinks:
? The western and northeastern parts of Slovenia are known for their outstanding white wines (Laski, Renski Rizling and many others).
? The south is the homeland of the light, russet-colored cvicek wine.
? The Adriatic Coast and the Karst region have mainly red karstteran wine.

Tipping:
10 per cent is generally expected in hotels, restaurants and for taxis.

Nightlife
There is a wide selection of theaters, cinemas, casinos and nightclubs in the larger towns. Ljubljana also has a good opera house and the symphony orchestra plays regularly in the Big Hall of the Cultural and Congress Center.

Entry departure requirements

* Please see passport section

Visa immigration information

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. EU/EEA nationals (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU/EEA nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU/EEA Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
(b) national of Croatia holding a valid national ID card.

Visas

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Mexico (one month only for business trips), Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Malaysia for stays of up to 30 days;
(d) nationals of Singapore for stays of up to 14 days;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note

(a) Nationals of the following countries can enter Slovenia without a visa for transit purposes or for stays of maximum 90 days, provided they are in possession of an EU/EFTA residents or work permit that is valid for three months from the date of entry into Slovenia or a Schengen visa (issued by one of the Schengen Member States) that is valid for at least one month beyond their stay in Slovenia: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Romania (for a maximum of 10 days), Russian Federation, Serbia & Montenegro and Turkey. Nationals of these countries should note that their visa-free stay's duration depends on where they have a valid residence permit/visa, and may be less than 90 days. (b) The following nationals require an airport transit visa if wishing to remain within the international transit area: nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

Types of visa and cost

All visas, regardless of duration and number of entries, cost US$43

Validity

Visitor (single-, double- and multiple-entry): Either a single uninterrupted stay or collective duration over successive days not exceeding 90 days within a six-month period, starting from the first day of entry. Transit (single-, double- and occasionally multiple-transit): Up to five days.

Application to

Consulate (or Consulate section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

Application requirements

(a) Passport valid for at least three months longer than the date of entry into Slovenia. (b) Application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee, payable by cash, cheque or postal order. (e) Medical travel insurance testifying the ability to cover urgent medical care whilst in Slovenia. (f) For private visits, an invitation from a person in Slovenia (letter of guarantee) authenticated by a notary, containing data guaranteeing accommodation and support for visit, and other possible costs. The letter must also contain a large amount of other data; please consult the nearest Embassy for further information. (g) For tourist travel, a voucher and confirmation from tourist agency or hotel. (h) For business travel, official invitation from company or organization in Slovenia. (i) Additional documents, eg return ticket. (j) Letter from employer; contact the nearest Embassy for details. Transit: (a)-(e) and, (f) Proof of permitted entry into next destination.

Working days required

Between three and 10 but depends on nationality.

Temporary residence

Enquire at Consulate (or Consulate section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

HIV entry requirements

No Test Required

Departure tax

None

Embassies

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the UK

10 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH, UK
Tel: (020) 7222 5400.
Website: http://www.london.embassy.si/
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1200 (consular section; for appointments in person).

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the USA

1525 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 667 5363.
Website: www.embassy.org/slovenia

Most visits to Slovenia are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovenia

US Department of State

Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Slovenia.html

Currency

Slovene Tolar (SIT) = 100 stotins. Notes are in denominations of SIT10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of SIT 50, 20,10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 stotins.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is permitted, although amounts in excess of SIT3,000,000 must be declared to customs.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1700; Sat 0830-1100/1200.

Currency exchange

The Tolar is fully convertible within Slovenia, but visitors are advised to exchange surplus amounts to the currency of their choice before leaving Slovenia, as it is not generally exchangeable elsewhere. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, tourist agencies and exchange bureaux.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners, EuroCard, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at upmarket establishments; elsewhere cash is preferred. Credit cards can be used to get cash advances from banks.

Travellers cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

City/RegionCity/Area codeFollowed by
Celje(0)3+ 7 digits
Koper(0)5+ 7 digits
Kranj(0)4+ 7 digits
Krsko(0)7+ 7 digits
Ljubljana(0)1+ 7 digits
Maribor(0)2+ 7 digits
  1. Health Information
  2. Recent Disease Outbreaks
  3. Hospital Database

Dental care

Good quality dental care is available in the private sector in Slovenia.

Medication Availability

Some international medication is available from the larger pharmacies and hospitals in the larger towns and cities. Pharmacists require a current licence

Blood supplies

Although the testing of blood products generally follow international standards, it is recommended blood transfusions are avoided in Poland

Medical facilities

Adequate medical care is readily available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

General caution

Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.

Specific concerns

AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured. Hikers should take protective measures against ticks.

Immunization

Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.

Disease risk summary

Insect-borne illness: Encephalitis (tick-borne) - occurs Hemorrhagic fever - occurs Lyme disease - occurs Typhus (Murine and tick-borne) - occurs Food-borne and water-borne illness: bacillary dysentery and other diarrheas and typhoid fever are more common in the summer and autumn. Other hazards: High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria. Influenza risk extends from November to April. Rabies - occurs in animals

Entry requirements

None.

Recent disease outbreaks

No recent disease outbreaks

NameAddress
University Hospital LjubljanaKlinicni Center Ljubljana Zaloska cesta 2 Ljubljana 1000
Zdravje Medical CenterSmoletova ulica 18 Ljubljana 1000

Media

The media scene is diverse and free, and the constitution supports freedom of expression. About two thirds of TV households are connected to cable or satellite.
Press: The main dailies are Delo, Slovenske Novice and Dnevnik (in Ljubljana). Vecer is a Maribor based daily. The state news agency, STA, produces material in English for international distribution on a daily basis. English-language publications include Ars Vivendi, Slovenia Weekly, Slovenian Business Report and Slovenija.
TV: RTV Slovenia, the public broadcaster, operates two national channels and regional services. Pop TV and Kanal A are commercial channels.
Radio: RTV Slovenia, the public broadcaster, operates national radio stations A1, Val 202 and Ars, regional services and a tourist station with news in English and German. Radio Hit and Radio City are commercial stations.