Practical Matters

Money:
Slovenia introduced the euro as its official currency in January 2007 and as such Slovenia became the first of ten new EU member states which acceded to the EU in 2004 to adopt the euro and to join other 12 European countries already operating in the European Monetary Union. Each of the Slovenian euro coins has a unique design, for example the Lipizzaner horses, Triglav - the highest mountain in Slovenia and France Prešeren - Slovenian biggest poet and the author of the national anthem etc.

How do I pay in Slovenia?

Since the euro is the official currency of Slovenia it is used in all transactions, cash and non-cash transactions. You can make non-cash transactions practically everywhere. POS terminals allow you to use your credit or debit cards, accepted will be MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron, Amex and Diners cards and also domestic cards Activa and Karanta.

To withdraw your money it is the easiest way to go the ATM. You will find them on every corner, just check the labels on the ATMs showing you which cards you may use for withdrawing your money. Mostly they accept Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Cirrus and Visa Electron Plus.

At the bank, visitors in Slovenia can exchange money and cash traveller’s cheques, open bank accounts, transfer money and conduct other non-cash transactions. Banks are opened during the week between 9.00 and 12.00 and 14.00 and 17.00, some of them are open also on Saturday between 9.00 and 12.00. Money can be exchanged also at the exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations or in larger shopping centers.

Tipping:
Tips in Slovenia are welcomed but not obligatory. It is appropriate to leave the tip for a good service. How much? It depends on each person.

The staff in a restaurant or bar will be happy, sometimes surprised. Where you tipped before, the staff could remember  upon your next visit just because of that and you will be treated with a bigger smile and faster service.

Post offices:
The post network in Slovenia is very well developed, fast, efficient and spread across the whole country. Mail delivery takes 1 day within the country and up to 5 days for other European countries. Air shipments to overseas countries will be delivered in 7 or up to 10 days.

Post offices in Slovenia also offer financial services, for example money transfers.

It is common to buy lottery tickets and execute payments for sport betting and gambling at the post offices.

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 8.00 to 18.00 (some of them even until 19.00 or 21.00)

Saturdays: 8.00  to 12.00

Sundays and holidays: Closed (some of them could be opened in bigger cities and during the tourist season)

Stores:
Most commonly shops are opened without the lunch time closing on

Weekdays: 8.00 to 19.00 (some will be opened until 21.00)

Saturdays: 8.00 to 13.00

Sundays and holidays: some stores and on duty pharmacies.

All stores accept credit and debit cards.

Telephones, Mobiles & Internet

- Classic telephony:
Public telephones take cards which can be purchased at post offices or in some kiosks. Telephone cards with 25, 50, 100 or 300 pulses are available. Phone calls are cheaper in the night between 19.00 pm and 7.00 am.

The direct international dialing code for Slovenia is 00386, then the area number code without the zero follows and after that dial the number of the addressee.

Useful telephone numbers in Slovenia:

- Mobile telephony:
In Slovenia there are several mobile telecommunication operators. Companies operating in Slovenian mobile communication systems are Mobitel, Si.Mobil – Vodafone, Tuš mobil, Debitel. When coming to Slovenia and especially when planning to stay in the country for a longer time, consider buying a Slovenian SIM card for cheaper calling rates.

- Internet and Wireless:
WLAN network has grown in the past couple of years. You will find access points, so called Hotspots, in all major and touristic cities, so you will be able to access internet easily and fast. Access to the internet is possible in most of the hotels, libraries and in some bars.

Electricity:
Current voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz.

Standard time zone:
 UTC/GMC +1 hours

Health and drugs:

Standard of medical treatment in Slovenia is very high. Health centers are in every bigger city in the country.

If you are coming to Slovenia from the EU member state, Lichtenstein, Switzerland or Norway you might want to obtain the European Health Insurance Card before traveling. It will enable you to be treated on the same basis as a Slovenian resident. Since each country has a specific health system, it might happen that some of the health services in Slovenia are payable while they might be free in your country. In this case you will have to pay for such medical services but you will get your expenses reimbursed when you return home. So make sure you travel with your European Health Insurance Card. Just do not forget that you will be treated by a state health care provider as the private health care services are not covered by the European Health Insurance Card.

Of course you can always take the additional insurance with a private insurance company. This is also common when coming from non-EU countries. However, in such cases the medical care for foreigners is always governed also by the bilateral agreements between Slovenia and the respective country which determine exactly how the medical costs are covered and whether you are entitled to the costs reimbursement.

There is no special vaccination needed before traveling to Slovenia. For minor problems such as cold, headaches, fever and insect bites you can get medicines in pharmacies without a prescription.

In Slovenia, the tap water is healthy and safe for consumption.

Do not forget to pay special attention to ticks if staying in the woods or close to waters. Use appropriate repellents and after you return to your hotel or apartment, take a sufficient time to inspect the potential ticks on your body thoroughly. During the summer mosquitoes can be sometimes very annoying.

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