The public healthcare system in Slovenia is managed by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS – Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije). It is a compulsory social health insurance system based on employment and residency.

How National Health Insurance Works

In Slovenia, if you are employed, health insurance is compulsory. Your employer is legally obligated to register you with ZZZS and deduct the required contributions directly from your salary.

Once registered, you receive a Slovenian health insurance card (Kartica zdravstvenega zavarovanja), which grants access to the public healthcare network, including GPs, specialist care, hospitalization, and subsidies for prescriptions (such as PrEP).

Note on Supplementary Insurance: The compulsory ZZZS insurance does not always cover 100% of medical costs. Most residents in Slovenia purchase supplementary health insurance (dopolnilno zdravstveno zavarovanje) from private commercial providers (e.g., Vzajemna, Triglav, Generali) to cover the remaining co-payments.

How Foreigners Can Register

Access to the ZZZS system depends heavily on your citizenship and your purpose for being in Slovenia.

EU/EEA and UK Citizens

  • Temporary Stays: You can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access emergency and medically necessary care at state facilities under the same conditions as Slovenian citizens.
  • Working in Slovenia: If you are legally employed, your employer will register you for compulsory insurance, exactly as they would a Slovenian citizen.
  • Studying or Living: If you are not employed, you must prove you have comprehensive health insurance to register your long-term residency. You may be able to register a form from your home country (like an S1 form) with the ZZZS.

Non-EU Citizens

  • Residency & Visas: To obtain your initial temporary residence permit, you generally must show proof of private health insurance.
  • Employment: If you secure employment in Slovenia, your employer manages your registration with ZZZS. You are required to obtain a Slovenian tax number and EMŠO (personal registration number) beforehand.
  • Bilateral Agreements: Citizens of certain countries (e.g., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia) can access emergency care by presenting a specific certificate obtained by submitting forms from their home country to a ZZZS regional unit.
  • Independent Registration: If you are not employed but hold a residence permit (e.g., a student), you may need to visit a local ZZZS office and register independently for compulsory health insurance using an M-1 form and paying monthly contributions yourself.

National Health Hotline

Slovenia does not have a centralized 24/7 clinical health hotline. The ZZZS provides an administrative contact center for questions regarding health insurance coverage, rights, and registration.

  • ZZZS Contact Center (International format): +386 1 30 77 300 (Note: This line operates only during specific business hours on weekdays.)

The ZZZS contact center is for administrative inquiries only. In a medical emergency, immediately call the universal European emergency number 112.