Temporary stay in Slovenia
Information for citiziens of European union, European economic area and Switzerland
During a temporary stay in Slovenia, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) makes it possible to obtain emergency treatment or necessary medical services from medical practitioners and dentists in public health care institutions, as well as from private practitioners having contractual agreements with the ZZZS.
Health care services necessary for medical reasons are specified by the medical practitioner who admits the individual for treatment, taking into consideration the nature of services and the expected length of stay in Slovenia. A foreign insured person who is staying in Slovenia for a longer time (e.g. students studying in Slovenia, foreign workers working in Slovenia) is entitled to a larger extent of rights than a individual staying in Slovenia for a shorter time (e.g. individuals travelling for pleasure or business). Based on EHIC, the medical practitioner must therefore provide the individual with health care services to such an extent that they would not have to return to the country in which they have health insurance before the end of the planned stay in Slovenia just because of the treatment.
WARNING: EHIC does not cover the costs of planned treatment or giving birth in Slovenia.
Emergency and necessary health care services are fully covered by compulsory health insurance, and are free of charge upon presentation of the EHIC.
If you do not have an EHIC, you must cover all health-care costs, including those provided by private medical practitioners not having contractual agreements with the ZZZS. In such a case, you must apply to the competent health care institution in your own country for reimbursement.
1. Health care services upon the presentation of the EHIC
A doctor at the primary level conducts a medical examination of a patient, issues a referral for a laboratory referral, X-Ray and other necessary analyses allowing for an adequate diagnosis. The doctor also issues a prescription for medicinal products and a referral to a specialised practitioner or hospital if necessary.
From a specialist, it is possible to request medical services on the basis of a referral issued by a medical practitioner at the primary level, with the exception of emergency cases when such services can be requested and acquired directly in a hospital.
The nearest hospital from your place of residence will provide medical services on the basis of a referral issued by a medical practitioner at the primary level, or by a specialist, who deems hospital treatment is needed. In emergency cases, it is possible to go directly to the emergency ward nearest to the place of residence.
Medicinal products can be obtained from pharmacies having contractual agreements with the ZZZS, on the basis of a medical prescription issued by a medical practitioner at the primary level. Costs of medicinal products that are classified on the positive list are fully covered by compulsory health insurance, if they do not have a certain maximum recognized value. Medicinal products for special medical purposes, which have a certain maximum recognized value, are covered by compulsory health insurance only up to the maximum recognized value.
In the event of inpatient treatment, medicinal products are ensured as an inherent part of the treatment.
Dentists offer emergency medical services.
Ambulance transportation is free in emergency cases, so patients do not have to pay any additional amounts for the overall cost of transportation. Ambulance transportation is conducted on the basis of a referral issued by a medical practitioner at the primary level when it is deemed urgent.
More about the extent of rights deriving from compulsory health insurance.
2. Medical services authorised prior to arrival in Slovenia
Foreign insured persons in need of dialysis, oxygen therapy or any medical services for which preliminary authorisation is required, can access such services in Slovenia on the basis of preliminary authorisation from a healthcare institute providing such services which has a contractual agreement with the HIIS. Foreign insured persons can find information about providers of the above services from ZZZS regional or branch units located in the area where they live.
The list of dialysis centres in Slovenia is available on web pages.
