Border formalities

Slovenia borders on Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia and is within the Schengen Area. See the details about crossing the Slovenian border.

What you need to know when crossing Slovenia’s borders?

Slovenia has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and a member of the Schengen Area since 2007. Slovenian citizens and the citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area Member States (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, which is part of the European Free Trade Association, need an identity card or passport to cross the border. Third country citizens need to present a valid passport. If you are coming from a non-EU country and a visa is required to enter Slovenia, you must have a valid visa.

EU and EEA/EFTA

veljavna osebna izkaznica ali potni list

Third countries

veljavni potni list

Third countries requiring a visa

potni list in veljavni vizum

External Schengen borders of Slovenia

Slovenia has five border crossing points along the external Schengen border: three at the air border and two at the sea border.

Border crossing points for international air traffic

Border crossing points for international sea traffic

The Port of Koper
Piran

Slovenia reintroduced temporary control on the internal Schengen borders with Croatia and Hungary. This means that you must present a valid document (ID card or passport) to cross the border. Likewise, Austria has controls at its internal Schengen border with Slovenia, which means that a valid document is required to enter Austria from Slovenia.

Visas

If you need a visa to enter Slovenia, you can obtain one from the Slovenian consular mission in your country. If there is no Slovenian consular mission in your country, please contact a consular mission of any Member State of the Schengen Area.

List of Slovenian consular missions abroad

All Schengen Member States issue Schengen visas under the same conditions, taking into account the interests of the other Member States as well. A visa issued by a Schengen Member State is also valid for other Member States. In other words, you can visit several countries in the Schengen Area.

Check if visa is required

You can apply for a visa no earlier than six months before your trip and no later than 15 days before your planned trip.

Bringing in items

There is free movement of goods within the European Union, which means that you can bring any items for your personal use to Slovenia. The exceptions are tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, which are subject to restrictions. These are even stricter for those who live outside the European Union countries. There are also restrictions on bringing in cash from outside the EU.

alkohol in tobacni izdelki

Restrictions on tobacco products and alcohol

Alcohol, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are exempt from import duties, VAT and excise duty if the individual, as a natural person, brings them into Slovenia from another Member State and transports them for his/her own consumption, provided that the permitted quantities of the products are not exceeded.

EU citizens

800 cigarettes or 100 ml of filler for electronic cigarettes or 800 rolls of tobacco for heating;
400 cigarillos;
200 cigars;
1 kg of fine-cut tobacco or other smoking tobacco;
10 itres of spirits;
20 litres of intermediate products;
90 litres of wine, including no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine;
110 litres of beer.

ostale države

Non-EU citizens

200 cigarettes
100 cigarillos (cigars weighing no more than 3 g);
50 cigars
250 grams of smoking tobacco or a proportionate amount of various tobacco products;
1 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages (more than 22% alcohol);
2 litres of alcohol and alcoholic beverages (less than 22% alcohol);
4 litres of non-sparkling wine;
16 litres of beer.

vnos gotovine

Bringing cash into Slovenia

If you are an EU national, there are no restrictions on bringing cash into Slovenia, but if you are a third-country national, you can bring in no more than EUR 10,000 in cash. You must declare an amount higher than that to customs.

zdravila

Medicines

An individual may bring medicines in and out of Slovenia in his/her personal luggage for:

personal use
the personal use of his/her immediate family members;
on the basis of a power of attorney for the personal use of no more than one individual who is not a member of his/her family;
his/her pets.

The following quantity restrictions apply to medicines:

foraa maximum of three weeks for acute conditions;
for chronic diseases or conditions requiring the long-term use of medicines (for a maximum of 3 months or up to 12 months on presentation of proof to the customs authority).

Details Regarding the Importation of Medicines into Slovenia

vnos zivil

Bringing food to Slovenia

Bringing food into Slovenia by individuals is governed by rules that ensure food safety and prevent the spread of disease. In particular, products of animal origin are subject to strict controls due to the risk of disease. The rules depend on whether you are coming from an EU Member State or a third country.

Bringing food from EU countries:

No restrictions if brought for personal consumption: There are no border checks between EU Member States, so individuals can bring in food for personal consumption without specific restrictions.
Exceptions: Care should be taken for food subject to restrictions due to health reasons, such as protected foods or animal products from disease areas.

ostale države

Bringing food from third countries:

Meat, milk and products derived from these ingredients: Severely restricted or prohibited. Exceptionally, certain small quantities of baby food or food for medical purposes (up to 2 kg) are allowed.
Other foods: Small amounts are allowed, e.g. up to 2 kg of fruit, vegetables, bread, confectionery, chocolate, honey, etc., but no fresh meat, milk or products from these ingredients.
Fish and seafood: Up to 20 kg or one fish is allowed.
Plants and seeds: A phytosanitary certificate is required.

We recommend checking for details with the customs authority or the competent inspectorate before travelling.

Further Details on the Importation of Foodstuffs into Slovenia

potovanje s hisnim ljubljenckom

Crossing the border with pets

If you want to bring your dog or cat into Slovenia, the regulations differ depending on whether you are coming from an EU country or from other country. These countries also differ in terms of rabies infection risk.

Third countries according to their application of rabies rules and control

In all cases, your pet will need a passport and a veterinary certificate certifying vaccination against rabies. The customs authority may request proof of a doctor’s or veterinarian’s prescription, if required.

In addition, up to five animals may be brought into Slovenia, except in the case of shows and competitions. The animals must be identifiable by a microchip (transponder) or a clearly readable tattoo.

Travelling with pets to Slovenia

Refund of value added tax

Due to the principle of a single European market, Slovenia has abolished the possibility of tax refund on crossing the national border, since there are no such concessions among the European Union Member States.

For a VAT refund, the seller must provide the visitors from other countries with a special form, which is completed by the seller. As you exit the EU Member State, you must get the form certified by the customs authorities at the border crossing. At the same time, you must present the original receipt of purchase. You must take the purchased goods out of the country before the end of the third month from the date of purchase. The tax is refunded to you by the institutions indicated on the tax-free purchase form.

VAT refund cannot be claimed for mineral oils, alcohol and alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

Discover Slovenia

Once you have crossed the border into Slovenia, there are countless opportunities to explore this green country at the heart of Europe. Find sustainable ways to explore, discover unique experiences and learn about its natural and cultural riches.

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Facts about Slovenia

Slovenia: a land of hospitable people and unforgettable experiences in the heart of Europe.

Sustainable mobility in Slovenia

Choose a green mode of transport to travel around Slovenia.

To Slovenia by Air

You can travel to Slovenia by air to the central Jože Pučnik International Airport or to any of the airports in the neighbouring countries.

Healthcare

Medical care is very well spread across Slovenia. All Slovenian cities have health centres, while there are individual clinics in small towns. All Slovenian settlements are served by emergency medical assistance, even by helicopter if necessary.

Bled

Lake Bled and a castle perched on a cliff is one of the most beautiful Alpine resorts in Europe.

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Border formalities