PrEP in Slovenia: Reimbursed via ZZZS

The Short Version

PrEP is reimbursed by ZZZS (Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije — the national health insurance) for eligible patients. It is prescribed and monitored at UKC Ljubljana's Infekcijska klinika. Legebitra is the most effective entry point for getting into the programme.

Status

Slovenia added PrEP to the ZZZS reimbursement list, making it available at no or very low cost for residents who qualify. This is one of the better PrEP access situations in the region. The medication is dispensed from the hospital pharmacy (bolnišnična lekarna) at UKC Ljubljana.

Where to Access

UKC Ljubljana — Infekcijska klinika Japljeva ulica 2, Ljubljana Phone: 01 522 22 00 Website: kclj.si

The Clinic for Infectious Diseases at UKC is where PrEP is prescribed and monitored. The team here is the most experienced with gay and bisexual men's HIV prevention in Slovenia.

Legebitra — Entry Point Trubarjeva cesta 76A, Ljubljana Phone: 01 430 51 44 Website: legebitra.si

Legebitra staff are the most efficient way in. They can assess your eligibility, run pre-PrEP tests, and write a referral or contact the UKC team directly. Legebitra's relationship with the UKC infectious disease team is close — their referrals are taken seriously.

The Process

Step 1 — Contact Legebitra

Phone or email Legebitra (01 430 51 44 / info@legebitra.si). Describe that you want to start PrEP. They will assess your situation and guide the next steps.

Step 2 — Pre-PrEP Blood Tests

Before the specialist appointment:

HIV test (negative required)
Creatinine / kidney function
Hepatitis B status
Syphilis and STI screen
Three-site swabs (bris žrela, rektalni bris, uretralni bris)

Legebitra or UKC can run these.

Step 3 — Specialist Appointment at Infekcijska klinika

A doctor at UKC's infectious disease clinic assesses you and prescribes PrEP. You need a napotnica (referral) — from your izbrani zdravnik (registered GP) or Legebitra can provide the relevant documentation.

Step 4 — Collect from Bolnišnična Lekarna (Hospital Pharmacy)

PrEP is dispensed free or at minimal cost from the hospital pharmacy. Follow-up every 3 months.

Three-Month Follow-Up

At every follow-up, specifically request:

HIV test
Creatinine (kidney function)
Syphilis test
Three-site swabs: throat (bris žrela), rectum (rektalni bris), urethra (uretralni bris)

The default may be blood tests only. Be explicit about needing the swab panel.

If You Do Not Have ZZZS Insurance

EU/EEA residents with EHIC may access emergency care, but ongoing PrEP management requires ZZZS enrolment (i.e., residence in Slovenia). For visitors:

Legebitra can advise on short-term options
Private prescription is possible — generic tenofovir/emtricitabine is available at private pharmacies; costs roughly €30–60/month; requires a private prescription from a willing GP or specialist