Slovenia has a nationalised public healthcare system which provides a high-quality level of care to citizens and residents. All employees and businesses contribute to the system through tax, and healthcare is available to all citizens and long-term residents. The programme is coordinated by the National Health Insurance Institute. Residents and citizens are given a medical card, which they show when undergoing treatment. Even under public care, some doctors and specialists may charge an additional out-of-pocket fee for some services. However, medical care for children is generally not subject to additional charges.
Public medical care in Slovenia
All new employees of a business are registered into the healthcare system by their employer, and both employees and the employer contribute a combined 13.45% towards healthcare. (6.56% is paid by the employer and 6.36% by the employee). Employed family members also cover dependent children and family members ' those who are self-employed also contribute.
The public system covers most medical services, including GP visits, emergency and outpatient hospitalisation, prescription medicine costs, prenatal and childbirth care and other specialist services.
Private health insurance
Temporary residents and travellers from outside the EU should arrange private health insurance for themselves and for any dependents. Non-EU residents must provide proof of private health insurance to obtain necessary visas and residence permits, as they are not covered under the public system. Sometimes, even those who are covered by the public system still purchase private insurance, as this supplements the public system to provide additional treatment options.
Medical services available in Slovenia
There are approximately 36 medical centres across the country, which provide a range of services, including outpatient care, GP services and a range of specialists, known locally as consultants. Hospitals and emergency clinics are available in the main cities and towns, and provide emergency medical services. Hospitals will treat everyone on arrival but will ask for payment later if you do not have health insurance or are not covered by the state system.
Dental services are usually only available with private insurance, and out-of-pocket costs can be higher for dental care than medical care.
There can often be long waiting periods for non-emergency procedures under the public system. Private clinics are also available, but will be at a higher cost than the public hospitals.
Pharmacies are located throughout the country and can be identified by a green cross on the building. In addition to filling prescriptions, they provide basic health and first-aid supplies and over the counter medicines.
Good to know:
Waiting times can be very long for seeing a doctor, so it is best to make appointments in advance. This is in part due to a current shortage of medical specialists and nurses in the country.
Emergency numbers
The following numbers can be contacted in emergency situations, and are important to be aware of.
- Rescue and ambulance: 144
- Fire: 122
- Police: 133
- Emergency: 112
- Mountain rescue services: 140
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