COVID-19 Information

Home Home | News & Events | COVID-19 Information

16 December 2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Slovenia advising citizens to reconsider travel to Slovenia due to the Covid-19 epidemic.  Register with the Embassy (STEP) for the latest updates.See also the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notice for Slovenia.
  • Slovenia has entered a second-wave of Covid-19 cases, with the Slovenian government declaring a new epidemic on 18 October.  See the current number of active cases and other statistics.
  • Vaccinations: The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.   Per Slovenian government announcement, vaccination administration will begin with health care workers and vulnerable populations. According to the announcement, when general distribution is possible, vaccines will be available to all residents of Slovenia, regardless of insurance status.   Using the application at the above link, residents can state their interest in obtaining a vaccine.
  • Face masks: Masks are required at all times, including outdoors, unless in a park when a distance of 3 meters (10 feet) can be maintained.  (See U.S. CDC guidelines on how to create and properly wear a mask.)
  • Services: Hotels are generally closed.  In Ljubljana, the following hotels are open to approved business delegations: Austria Trend, Slon, and Radisson.  The government has asked health providers to scale back non-emergency preventative medical procedures.  Visiting patients in certain hospitals or residents of certain nursing homes is restricted.  Schools and universities are currently operating on-line only.  Most kindergartens are closed.  Restaurants and bars are closed, but pick up/delivery is permitted, including during curfew hours (see below on curfew).  Gyms, indoor sports centers, spas, swimming pools, cinemas, casinos, cultural institutions, and most non-essential stores are closed.  Essential shops/services such as for fuel, groceries, pet food, hardware, car/bicycle repair, gardening, pharmacies, banks and post offices, remain open, but the Slovenian government is enforcing distancing and other health precautions.
  • Public gatherings: Public gatherings, including weddings and religious services, are prohibited. People may only meet with those in one’s household.
  • Social distance: In public, maintain a safe distance (6 feet / 2 meters) from other people.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Quick Facts:

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes

  • The EU, including Slovenia, has enacted a ban on non-essential travel (such as tourism) from the United States. U.S. citizens with residency in an EU country may enter Slovenia.  For other U.S. citizens who first spend two weeks in a third country, Slovenia may grant entry, depending on the country of origin.  (See Quarantine section below.)  In addition, immediate family members (but not fiancés) of Slovenian citizens coming from the United States are permitted with a transit letter from the Slovenian embassy in Washington, DC.  Travelers from the United States who are permitted entry may be subject to quarantine and Covid-19 testing.  (See Quarantine section below.)  See the Ministry of Interior website on entry during Covid-19, as well as the EU website for entry requirements for Slovenia and other countries.
  • Land border crossings: Non-essential land travel to neighboring countries is not permitted, and violators could face fines.  Non-residents of Slovenia must use one of the following checkpoints when entering Slovenia, where authorities can evaluate the need for quarantine orders: from the Republic of Croatia at the border crossings Gruškovje, Obrežje, Metlika and Jelšane (Note that while Obrežje operates 24-hours, the others can only be accessed 0600-2200); from Hungary at the checkpoint Pince (0600-2200); from Italy at checkpoints Vrtojba, Fernetiči, Škofije and Krvavi potok; and from Austria at checkpoints Karavanke, Ljubelj, and Šentilj (motorway and rail traffic). For travel from Slovenia to a neighboring country, see the U.S. Embassy Covid-19 pages for Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy.  Hungary announced September 1 that it would close its border to general travel from Slovenia.
  • Legal stay: See our  Travelers in Europe page for Schengen zone limits on length of stay. The Covid-19 situation is not a grounds to stay beyond the legally permitted entry.
  • Returning to the U.S.: U.S. citizens can continue to travel from Europe to the United States following CDC guidelines after returning to the U.S.  There is no U.S. requirement to show a negative Coronavirus test or have other health documentation. As many flights have been cancelled, travelers should verify their flights and work with airlines to rebook if necessary.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place?  Yes
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
  • There is a curfew 2100-0600.
  • Effective 27 October, you may not travel outside of your municipality  unless meeting limited exceptions; exceptions include work, travel abroad, visiting a diplomatic/consular office (e.g. U.S. Embassy), travel between properties you own, care for a family member, and accessing health institutions.  Police will be monitoring via random checks.
  • In four western regions (Central Slovenia, Gorizia, the coastal Primorska region, and Upper Carniola/Gorenjska) with the best epidemiological situation, individuals using the national exposure notification app #OstaniZdrav will be able to move between municipalities within their region (but not travel to other regions).

 

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
  • The government of Slovenia maintains a color-coded system of entry / quarantine restrictions:  A very small number of countries are designated “green” (epidemiologically safe).  A much larger list of countries, including the United States, are designated as “red” (poor epidemiological conditions).  In some cases, regions of countries are listed as “red.”  All non-listed countries/regions of countries  are designated “orange” (aggravated epidemiological situation).   Travelers who have spent 14 days in either a “green” country or an “orange” EU country/region can enter Slovenia without quarantine.  All others must quarantine 10 days or have a negative result from a Covid test taken in the EU within the prior 48 hours.
  • Ensure you have sufficient food, prescriptions, and other essential items in your home in the event you need to self-quarantine.  Home delivery of both groceries and prepared foods are available.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • If you think you may have symptoms, first contact 112 (available 24 hours a day), where English-language operators are available to assess your condition and provide instruction on medical care.
  • If you have Covid-19 symptoms, testing is available for both foreign nationals and Slovenians.  Testing is free for those with symptoms who are refereed by a general practitioner.
  • Tests are not available at the U.S. Embassy.
  • For a voluntary test (or if required due to travel from a “red” zone country), the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Ljubljana University Medical Centre (UKC) is offering self-pay testing for the novel coronavirus at the price of EUR 93.

Transportation Options:

Quick facts:

Are commercial flights operating? Yes

Is public transportation operating? Yes

  • Airport: Ljubljana Airport is open, but with a reduced number of flights.  Some airlines have cancelled regular service.
  • Cross border train/bus service: Not operating.
  • Internal train/bus service: Limited service (holiday schedules).  When it does operate again, passengers must disinfect their hands upon entry, wear a face mask and keep a safety distance of at least 1.5 meters.  The Infrastructure Ministry has established a hotline at 01 478 85 12 to address questions on public transportation.
  • Taxis: Available. Facemasks required.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Inspectors are enforcing quarantine orders through random visits to residences of those quarantined.  Violators face hefty fines.

Embassy Consular Operations:

  • American Citizen Services: The Embassy is providing reduced appointments for citizens resident in Slovenia.  Services include passports services for those traveling in the next 30 days, emergency notarial services, and voting assistance.   See our website for information on appointments.  Please note that if you are coming from a country other than those countries designated as “green” by the Slovenian government (note: the United States is not designated “green”), you will need to complete your two-week quarantine before coming to the Embassy.  If you are ill while coming to your Embassy appointment, please let us know in advance in the email so that we can make special accommodation.   For emergencies, contact the U.S. Embassy (see box at right).
  • Visa services for foreign nationals: Given travel restrictions, foreign national visa applicants must review our Visa page before making an appointment.

Local Resources:

Slovenian government resources:

U.S. Government resources:

By | 16 December, 2020 | Topics: Alert

Suggested for You

Footer Disclaimer

This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

American Flag