Visas and general information

Slovenia is a member state of the European Union and part of the Schengen area. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. There is no border control within the area.

The visa policy of the Schengen Area is set by the European Union. If someone other than a European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizen wishes to enter the Schengen Area, they must have a visa or be a national of a visa-exempt country. If you need a visa to enter Slovenia, you can obtain one from the Slovenian consular mission in your country. If there is no Slovenian consular mission in your country, contact a consular mission of any Member State of the Schengen Area. A visa issued by one Schengen Member State is also valid for the other Member States. In other words, this means that you can visit several countries which are in the Schengen Area.

If you need a letter of invitation or some other document for your visa application, you can request it over email at team@essai.si once your registration fee is paid.

 

Citizens of the Russian Federation

Due to complex and lengthy visa procedures we regret that we cannot provide guarantee and invitation letters to holders of Russian passports.

The value added tax (VAT) in Slovenia is 22% with a reduced rate of 9.5% for food, water, books, etc. For a VAT refund, the seller must provide the visitors from other countries with a special form, which is completed by the seller. As you exit the EU Member State, you must get the form certified by the customs authorities at the border crossing. At the same time, you must present the original receipt of purchase. You must take the purchased goods out of the country before the end of the third month from the date of purchase. The tax is refunded to you by the institutions indicated on the tax-free purchases form. VAT refund cannot be requested for mineral oils, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products.

Citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued free of charge, to receive medical treatment free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit (for example, due to illness or an accident), or if they have a chronic pre-existing condition which requires care, such as kidney dialysis. For citizens of other countries, tourist health insurance is recommended.

 

Ambulance transportation is free in emergency cases, so patients do not have to pay any additional amount for the overall cost of transportation.

 

Ljubljana and major towns in Slovenia have duty pharmacies that provide a 24-hour service.

The public institute Ljubljana Tourism is a tourist organization under the auspices of the City of Ljubljana. They have expressed their support to this bid. They will provide free-of-charge maps of Ljubljana, brochures, and other promotional material. They will arrange for all the delegates to have unlimited free public transportation (city buses) upon showing their ESSAI badges.