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Slovenia - Consular Information Sheet
July 13, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy.
It is a mountainous country, half of which is covered by forests.
Slovenia has 29 miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Tourist
facilities are widely available throughout the country.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry
into Slovenia. A visa is not required for a tourist/business stay
up to 90 days. For further information on entry requirements for
Slovenia, travelers may contact the Embassy of Slovenia at 1525
New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, Tel: (202) 667-5363,
or the Consulate General of Slovenia in New York City, Tel: (212)
370-3006. The web site of the Slovenian Embassy in the United
States is http://www.embassy.org/slovenia/.
CRIME INFORMATION: Slovenia has a low crime rate. Travelers
should, however, take normal precautions, as they are sometimes
the targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's
pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad
for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet
is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet
at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is readily available.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
health services.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs
do not provide payment for medical services outside the United
States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas
may face extreme difficulties.
Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your
policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation,
and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States
can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Ascertain whether payment
will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you
will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance
policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for
disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau
of Consular Affairs brochure Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via
the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax at (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Travelers to Slovenia may obtain
a list of English-speaking physicians at the U.S. Embassy. Antibiotics,
allergy medication and all other prescription medication are available
at local pharmacies. Some over-the-counter medication is available
locally. For those persons who engage in outdoor activities, a
vaccine to prevent tick-borne encephalitis is recommended. Information
on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s international
traveler’s hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Slovenia is provided for general reference only
and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good
Slovenia has a well-developed road network, safe for travel.
Highways connect all major cities and towns as well as neighboring
countries and are clearly sign-posted. As the number of cars in
Slovenia continues to rise, roads are becoming more heavily congested
during the weekends on major routes and during rush hour. Parking
is difficult and can be expensive in the city center. Traffic
moves on the right; road signs and traffic rules are similar to
those used throughout Europe. Third-party liability insurance
is required for all vehicles; coverage is purchased locally. Travelers
should be alert to aggressive drivers both in cities and on highways.
Many of the serious accidents in Slovenia occur as a result of
high-speed driving. Emergency roadside help and information may
be reached by dialing 987 for vehicle assistance and towing services,
112 for an ambulance or fire brigade, and 113 for police.
U.S. visitors and U.S. residents in Slovenia must be in possession
of both a valid U.S. driver’s license and an international driver’s
license if they wish to drive in Slovenia. This will allow them
to drive for a maximum of one year, after which residents of Slovenia
are required to obtain a Slovenian driver’s license. The speed
limit is 50kph/30mph in residential areas and 130kph/78mph on
highways. Motorists are required to have their headlights on during
the daytime and drivers and passengers must wear seat belts. For
additional information, visit the web site of the U.S. Embassy
in Slovenia at http://www.usembassy.si.
For specific information on Slovenian driver's permits, vehicle
inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance contact the Slovenian
National Tourist Office at (212) 358-9686, or via the Internet
at http://www.slovenia-tourism.si/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial
service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to
operate such service, between the U.S. and Slovenia, the U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Slovenia’s
Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation
safety standards.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit
the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some
foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of
air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific
carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Slovenian customs authorities may
enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into
and export from Slovenia of items such as firearms, antiquities,
medications, business equipment, sales samples, and other items.
It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington
or Slovenia’s consulate in New York for specific information regarding
customs requirements.
Slovenian customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission
Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission
of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for
exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located
at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of
the Americas, New York. NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA
Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212)
354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org
for details.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Slovenian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or
imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal
drugs in Slovenia are strict and convicted offenders can expect
jail sentences and heavy fines.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information on international adoption
of children and international parental child abduction, please
refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state/gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATION: Americans
living in or visiting Slovenia are encouraged to register at the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana and obtain updated
information on travel and security within Slovenia. The U.S. Embassy
is located at Prazakova 4, Ljubljana 1000, tel: (386)(61) 301-427
or 301-472. Fax: 301-401. The Embassy web site is http://www.usembassy.si.
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