Published: March 7, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Slovenia Travel Advisory and Slovenia Country Information Page.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Ljubljana
Prešernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Telephone: +(386) (1) 200-5500
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(386) (1) 200-5500
Hours: 0900-1130 and 1300-1500
OSAC Country Chapter
There is an active OSAC Country Chapter in Ljubljana.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Slovenia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Slovenia.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ljubljana as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Slovenia.
While most travelers do not encounter crime, non-violent petty crime affects areas tourists frequent and crowded areas such as train stations, restaurants, open markets, and public transportation venues. Criminals generally do not single out U.S. or foreign visitors based on nationality, but target those that look and act like tourists. Most crimes committed against U.S. visitors fall into the category of petty theft (e.g., pickpocketing, purse snatching) or unoccupied residential/vehicle break-ins. These crimes are rare in comparison to rates in the U.S. or neighboring European countries. In Ljubljana, bicycle theft is disproportionately high compared to other similarly situated cities.
Most car break-ins aim to obtain valuables left in plain view or in the trunk. Always lock your vehicles, use vehicle anti-theft devices, and park in well-lit areas or in residential or hotel garages. Make sure your bicycles are secured before leaving them in a bicycle rack or bike park.
Residential burglaries primarily occur when security vulnerabilities exist, and/or residents do not implement sound residential security practices. Reports indicate thefts usually occur when occupants are away for an extended period; burglars usually gain access through doors or other entry points left unsecured.
Police statistics from 2023 (most recent) reveal that most criminal offenses in Slovenia are against property. In 2023, 1,788 adults were convicted of crimes against property (35% of all crime). There were 681 convictions for crimes against public order and peace, 427 convictions for crimes against the safety of public transportation, and 364 convictions for crimes against life and body.
Transnational organized crime networks use Slovenia primarily as a route to traffic narcotics and people. Auto theft, fraud, tax evasion, and counterfeit goods are additional organized crime concerns. The violent crime that does occur in Slovenia generally involves organized crime. Loan sharking, threats, and/or blackmail related to gambling have also been reported at gambling/betting establishments, in private vehicles, and at private businesses, specifically in the late evening or early morning hours. Criminals typically design these crimes to send a message, rather than cause injury/fatality to the intended recipient.
Patronizing establishments advertising themselves as cabarets, nightclubs, strip clubs, or gentlemen’s clubs can create vulnerabilities. In Slovenia, it is not uncommon for “cabaret girls” (also referred to as “artistes”) to be associated with, or be victims of, the commercial sex industry and organized crime groups. Visitors to cabarets, or those who engage with “artistes” may find themselves significantly overcharged for drinks, particularly when paying by credit card, and threatened when they refuse to pay.
U.S. citizens have reported sexual assaults in at least one nightclub in recent years. Use caution when accepting open drinks at bars or clubs, and don’t leave your drinks unattended.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Slovenia. Kidnappings are extremely rare in Slovenia, and those that have been reported have not involved U.S. citizens or the broader international business community.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ljubljana as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Slovenia.
Although there are no known, specific threats to U.S. interests in Ljubljana, U.S. nationals and U.S. interests abroad remain at risk from ISIS, al-Qa’ida, their affiliated organizations, and other terrorist groups or homegrown actors. These individuals do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
The threat from international terrorism remains high in the European Union and is diversifying in scope and impact. While there have been no incidents of international or transnational terrorism in Slovenia, there have been terrorism-related arrests in neighboring Austria. Slovenia’s membership in the Schengen zone could allow a terrorist to transit into Slovenia from any Western European country.
Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad and may attack with little or no warning. They may target high-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.); hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists; places of worship; schools; parks; tourism infrastructure; shopping malls and markets; and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ljubljana as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Slovenia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional republic with a multi-party, democratic political system, characterized by regular elections, a free press, and a strong human rights record. International observers characterized the parliamentary elections in 2022 as free and fair. The next parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in April 2026.
Protests & Demonstrations
In recent years, Slovenia experienced small- and large-scale anti-government protests (attracting up to several thousand protesters) with some frequency in central Ljubljana and around the country against a range of government policies, including wages, refugees, COVID-19 measures, and other issues. Protests and demonstrations are generally peaceful, with a few instances of violence in recent years. Protests in Ljubljana usually occur in areas around Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), at and opposite the Slovenian Parliament building in Republic Trg (Republic Square), and sometimes near the U.S. Embassy.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Some demonstration participants have occasionally expressed opposition to U.S. policies, though anti-U.S./anti-Western sentiment is not widespread in Slovenia.
Law Enforcement
The Slovenian Police maintain internal security and conduct criminal investigations. The Slovenian Armed Forces are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities. The police report to the Interior Ministry and the armed forces report to the Defense Ministry. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have committed few or no abuses.
Police Response
The Slovenian Police are professional and generally very responsive to requests for assistance and safety and security-related emergencies. English is the most widely spoken foreign language among the police, but not all police officers speak or understand English. The U.S. Embassy recommends filing a local police report in the jurisdiction where a crime occurred; doing so is not obligatory but may assist the local police in catching the criminal(s) and help warn the general public about crime concerns and trends.
The police emergency number is 113. When dialing/calling 113, state:
- WHAT has happened (traffic accident, criminal offence, fight, etc.);
- WHERE the incident happened (place, type of road, for example motorway, direction of driving, or the vicinity of distinguishable objects);
- WHEN it happened (Did you encounter the incident by chance or were you involved in it?);
- Whether there is anybody injured, the number of persons and vehicles involved; and
- Other information that could contribute to your safety and the safety of others.
If there are any difficulties in communicating due to lack of understanding of language, try to tell the basic data such as place and street, or find someone in your vicinity who understands your language and who will explain the incident for you.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Slovenia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Slovenia. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their detention in court.
If you disagree with a police officer’s actions or failure to act while performing their duties, and you think that your human rights or fundamental freedoms have been violated, make a complaint to the Slovenia’s Ministry of Interior Police Complaints Division no later than 45 days after the incident.
The government has taken steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who commit abuses, whether in the security services or elsewhere in the government, and there have been no recent cases of impunity involving security forces.
Corruption remains an ongoing problem, although its prevalence is relatively limited and there is no evidence that corruption has been an obstacle to foreign direct investment. However, U.S. companies continue to report challenges in some sectors, such as a strong preference for incumbent vendors and tenders written in a way to favor a predetermined winner. Such practices prevent U.S. companies from competing on a level playing field in the public procurement process. The small size of Slovenia’s political and economic elite contributes to a lack of transparency in government procurement and widespread cronyism in the business sector.
Cybersecurity
Any company operating in Slovenia should prioritize cybersecurity and only use legitimate software. Embassy personnel and local businesses have been targets of a range of cybersecurity scams and attacks.
Import/Export Restrictions
Slovenian authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the import, export, and use of firearms.
There are no known restrictions on the import and use of satellite phones or other satellite devices.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
