Healthcare in Slovenia, what to sort out before you go

GHIC, EHIC and insurance

Either card, the newer GHIC or an EHIC you still qualify for, is what opens the door to Slovenian state care when treatment can’t wait until you’re home. Applying, temporary cover if it hasn’t arrived and the definition of necessary treatment are all on the NHS website, which gov.uk links to. What the card leaves out is the reason to buy insurance as well. It doesn’t pay for rearranging flights or hotels, for the extra charges patients normally pay, for flying you back to Britain, for treatment that can wait or for anything private. If you’re pregnant or have an existing condition, gov.uk also suggests making sure the care you might need is available where you’re going.

Emergencies, 112 and hospitals

The emergency number is 112, for an ambulance, fire service or mountain rescue; the police are on 113. If a doctor sends you to hospital, gov.uk’s advice is to let your insurer know straight away, and the FCDO publishes a list of medical providers in Slovenia with some English-speaking staff. Mountain rescue also goes through 112, as I explain in is Slovenia safe.

Pharmacies and medicines

Most towns have pharmacies, and major cities have 24-hour ones. Usual hours are 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays. For minor complaints such as colds, headaches, fever or insect bites, you can buy medicines without a prescription. gov.uk warns that the legal status of some medicines differs between countries, and points to TravelHealthPro’s advice on travelling with them. The limits on bringing medicines in are in Slovenia customs rules.

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Vaccinations, ticks and mosquitoes

No vaccinations are required to enter Slovenia, and the Tourist Board only recommends being up to date with tetanus. gov.uk suggests checking the latest advice on TravelHealthPro at least 8 weeks before you travel, and lists tick bites and tick-borne encephalitis among the health risks, along with poor air quality in parts of the country at certain times of year and altitude sickness in the mountains. The Tourist Board recommends repellent in the woods and near water, a thorough check afterwards and removing any tick early. In summer, mosquitoes can be a nuisance near water. What to pack for all that is in what to pack for Slovenia. The other documents for the trip are covered in Slovenia entry requirements.

Water, food and smoking

Tap water is safe to drink, though hard in many areas, and after heavy rain it can turn cloudy, in which case warnings go out in the media. The Tourist Board notes that no genetically modified food is sold and that food poisoning is very rare. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public and work premises, bars and restaurants included, and you must be 18 to buy tobacco.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Ljubljana on GetYourGuide.

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