LIVING IN SLOVENIA

Daily life and people

It is difficult to be specific about the Slovene people’s characteristics. Only independent since 1991, many have Italian, Hungarian, Austrian or Croatian ancestors and very rarely will you come across a ‘pure’ Slovene. Slovenes themselves are very conscious of this, but happily live with the multi-ethnic make up of their people and their country, with little if any conflict between races. Lovers of the outdoors, the Slovenes have a great rapport with nature and are also calmer than many of their Balkan brethren – although if you do cross a Slovenian, beware – they can be a stubborn bunch!

Visas, permits and residency

Since Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, if you are a EU citizen you do not need a visa to enter the country. However, you may only stay for three months without a visa, and if you intend to stay longer, you must apply for a residency permit. This is usually issued for one year and then needs to be renewed. For more information, visit the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website at www.mzz.gov.si.

Utilities

Transferring utilities can be a tricky process and so it is advisable to ask your estate agent to help you, as you will undoubtedly need someone who speaks the language.

Electricity can be purchased from one of the following companies depending on the region you live in:

• Elektro Celje, www.elektro-celje.si
• Elektro Gorenjska, www.elektro-gorenjska.si
• Elektro Maribor, www.elektro-maribor.si
• Elektro Ljubljana, www.elektro-ljubljana.si
• Elektro Primorska, www.elektro-primorska.si.

While gas is available in the country (Geoplin, www.geoplin.si), most people have oil-fired central heating. Water is charged depending on your rate of consumption, which is monitored by a meter.

Telecommunications are provided by Telecom Slovenije (www.telekom.si/en) who also provide broadband; this is mostly restricted to the larger towns and cities at present. Mobile phones do work in Slovenia as the country has a GSM network which is compatible with the rest of Europe – check on www.gsmworld.com or with your service provider before travelling out there. Mobile phone companies include Mobitel (www.mobitel.si/eng) and Vodafone (www.simobil.si).

Currency and banking

Previously employing the tolar, since 1st January 2007, Slovenia has been using the euro. Notes come in standard euro denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and €1 and €2.

You will need to open a bank account in Slovenia in order to set up standing orders for the payment of utility bills, cable television and any property management charges.

Residents and non-residents are treated differently when it comes to opening a bank account. Those expatriates who are classed as residents – i.e. who have been working in the country for at least six months or have been granted a residential visa – are entitled to all of the banking services offered to Slovenians. Non residents – i.e. those who have visas which are valid for less than six months or who cannot prove they have a temporary residence in Slovenia – may only open personal non-resident accounts. These restrict you to depositing and withdrawing cash and/or carrying out local and international payments and conversion into other currencies. As with most other Eastern European countries, you will generally just need photographic ID in order to open an account.

SKB Banka (www.skb.si) offer a good package of services for internationals living in Slovenia, whether residents or non-residents.

Other useful contacts include:

• Bank of Slovenia, www.bsi.si
• Abanka Vipa d.d., www.abanka.si
• Bank Austria, www.ba-ca.si
• Banka, www.banka-celje.si
• Banka Koper, www.banka-koper.si
• Nova Ljubljanska banka, www.nlb.si.

Taxes

Tax residents in Slovenia are classed as people who hold permanent residency in the country; they will be taxed on both their income secured in Slovenia and that outside of the country. However, there is a double taxation treaty in place with all EU countries, as well as with Croatia, Montenegro, Canada, Turkey, the USA and others.

Income tax rates in Slovenia are high, charged at a progressive rate from 16–50%, while corporate tax is charged at a flat rate of 23% (in 2007, to be reduced to 22% in 2008, 21% in 2009 and 20% for subsequent years). Capital gains tax is not payable if you have owned a property for three years. If the property is not for residential usage, then capital gains is paid at a rate of 25% if it has been in possession of the owner for less than 10 years. VAT is charged at a standard rate of 20%.

For more information, visit The Tax Administration of the Republic of Slovenia website at www.durs.gov.si or the Ministry of Finance at www.gov.si/mf/angl/index.html.

Insurance

As in the UK, you will need to take out house, contents, car and health insurance in Slovenia. There are a number of firms that offer English-language services:

• Adriatic Slovenica, www.adriatic-slovenica.si/
• Zavarovalnica Tilia, www.zav-tilia.si
• Triglav Insurance Company, www.zav-triglav.si.

Healthcare

As Slovenia is part of the EU, all EU citizens are entitled to free medical treatment from government-run hospitals. You just need to ensure that you get an EHIC card (www.ehic.org.uk) to prove your entitlement. Be aware that some Slovenian hospitals may still require payment upfront, but you can claim this back at a later date.

By Western standards, Slovenian healthcare is good, although resources are stretched. It is still advisable to secure private medical treatment and the British Embassy in Ljubljana (www.british-embassy.si) should be able to provide you with a list of private facilities as well as a list of English-speaking doctors and dentists.

Dial 112 for emergency services.

Retirement and benefits

Slovenia is an attractive country for retirees due to the healthy natural surroundings, although it is not as cheap as some might like. Your pension will be payable in Slovenia and if you have worked in Slovenia prior to retirement you may well be entitled to a Slovenian pension.

Your social security rights are the same as those that apply elsewhere within the EEA and if you choose to work in Slovenia, you will contribute to the Slovenian social security system and, consequently, gain the right to benefits.

Education

Schooling is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15 and education is free to Slovenian nationals. Further and higher education is provided in the form of secondary schools and two universities. In recent years, approximately 6% of GDP has been spent on education and in 2002, 67% of population had at least upper secondary education.

There are several international schools in the country, including:

• QSI International School of Ljubljana, www.qsi.org
• International education in Ljubljana, Gimnazija Bezigrad, www.gimb.org/gimb
• The Second Gymnasium, Maribor, www.druga.org.

Driving

Slovenia has a well-developed road network, with motorways connecting all major towns and cities, as well as neighbouring countries. Signposting is clear, with road signs and traffic rules similar to those used throughout Europe. Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road and by law, you need to drive with dimmed lights 24 hours a day. It’s illegal to drive while on your mobile phone and you are only permitted to drive with 50mg of alcohol in your bloodstream. You can drive in Slovenia using your UK driving licence – which must include a photo – or an International Driving Permit.

Speed limits are as follows:

• motorways: 130km/h (80mph);
• open roads: 100km/h (62mph);
• towns: 50km/h (31mph).

Getting around

While driving is the best way to see this beautiful country, buses are the fastest method of getting around. The national operator is Avtobusna Postaja Ljubljana d.d. (www.ap-ljubljana.si) which serves destinations throughout the country and internationally. As well as being fast, efficient and comfortable, fares are also cheap.

Trains are reliable, too, with Slovenske Zeleznice (www.slo-zeleznice.si) operating both national and international services which are fast and cheap. It is possible to travel extensively throughout the country by train.

There are no internal flights in Slovenia – the country is simply too small to warrant them.

Meanwhile, getting around the capital is easy. Buses operate throughout Ljubljana all day and in the evenings, and this is also a great city to explore on foot.

Learning the language

The official language of Slovenia is Slovene, with Hungarian, Italian, German and English also widely spoken. Part of the Slavic family of languages, more than two million people worldwide speak Slovene; unsurprisingly, most of them live in Slovenia. Language has always been a politically-charged topic in and around the old Yugoslavia. Slovene was a language that was suppressed for years and consequently Slovenians are extremely proud of their vernacular.

This is a difficult language for English speakers to learn, but it’s worth trying to pick up a few words. However, Western Europeans do tend to find the pronunciation very difficult, so don’t be surprised if your efforts draw some bemused or blank looks from the locals.

Shopping

In the capital you can expect to encounter a number of modern shops and department stores, including many western labels and fashion boutiques. BTC City (www.btc-city.com) is Ljubljana’s largest shopping centre and has 420 shops, which include names such as Mango, Benetton, Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Cacharel, Evans, Lacoste, Levi’s, Hugo Boss and O’Neill.

In the smaller towns, while you can find virtually anything and everything, don’t expect to find a huge number of imported products.

The Slovenians pride themselves on their organic produce and some of the local markets offer some delicious fresh foods and are well worth a look.

Post

Post offices in Slovenia are known as Posta Slovenije, with bright yellow signs bearing a bugle marking their presence in the high street. You can send letters and faxes, as well as exchanging money. Visit www.posta.si to find your nearest post office.

Crime, corruption and the police

Crime is practically non-existent in Slovenia, with corruption labelled as ‘significantly improving’ by the Transparency International Coalition Against Corruption (www.transparency.org). The country has been ranked as 28th in the world for perceived corruption, which indicates a low level – Slovenia has a rating of 6.4, with the best rating (no corruption) being 10.

Note that members of the police force in Slovenia are unlikely to speak English, but in the case of an emergency, dial 113.