How to apply for a Schengen visa for Slovenia?

Written by the AXA Schengen team
Date: 07/04/2025

Mountains, lakes, mysterious castles, caves and gorges… as one of the more confidential gems of the Schengen area, Slovenia abounds with breath-taking sceneries and endless activities for all. But before you set off to sign an automotive deal in the capital Ljubljana, to emerge yourself in the exhibitions and architecture of Nova Gorica, one of the European Capitals of Culture 2025, to hike near Lake bled and Vintgar Gorge or to disappear in the Postojna Cave, make sure all your ducks are in a row, particularly when it comes to your Schengen visa.

To help you through the visa application motion, the AXA Team has prepared a few essential guidelines. So before you start packing, put your glasses on and read away!

• Do you need a Schengen visa to visit Slovenia?
• What type of visa do you need for your Slovenian travels?
• Where must you apply for your visa for Slovenia?
• When should you submit your visa for Slovenia application?
• How much does a visa for Slovenia cost?
• What are the different steps of the visa for Slovenia application process?
• What documents must you provide with your visa for Slovenia application?
• Why choose AXA Schengen Travel Insurance?

Do you need a Schengen visa to visit Slovenia?

Slovenia is part of the Schengen area. As such, it applies the European Union’s common policy regarding short stay visas (short stays = less than 90 days).

Who doesn’t need a visa to travel to Slovenia?

• Citizens (and family members living with them) of Schengen Member States or of European Union countries.
• Third-country nationals with a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen country.
• Travellers from third-countries which have signed a visa-waiver agreement with the European Union.
  Beware! These visitors still need to comply with a few requirements:
• • They must travel with a passport issued less than 10 years before their trip and valid more than 3 months after their scheduled date of departure from the Schengen area.
  • Their stay must not exceed 90 days over a 180-day period.
  • They must apply online for an electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS) to enter the Schengen area (requirement planned for the last quarter of 2026)

Who needs a visa to travel to Slovenia?

To be allowed to enter and travel in Slovenia, citizens of over a hundred countries need a Schengen visa. Chances are, this requirement applies to you and here’s where the AXA guidelines come in handy. Read along!

What type of visa do you need to travel to Slovenia?

You are staying in Slovenia for less than 3 months

Are you planning a short trip (less than 90 days) and are travelling for the most common purposes (tourism, business, visiting friends and family, short internships and training courses, attending professional, cultural or sports events)?

→ You need to apply for a Type C short-stay visa, also called uniform visa or Schengen visa.

Why is it called a “uniform visa” do you ask? Because the issuing criteria and the rights granted are identical regardless of the Schengen country where the application was submitted or where the visa was issued.
It allows its holder to stay and travel in all countries part of the Schengen area for maximum 90 days over a 180-day period.

→ Here’s everything you need to know about the 90/180-day rule in the Schengen area.

You plan to stay in Slovenia longer than 3 months

→ You will need to apply for a national, long-stay visa (also called a Type D visa).

Type D visa eligibility and requirements are not standardised between all Schengen countries and vary from one to the other depending, among other things, on the purpose of the applicant’s stay.

Make sure you get your visa information straight from the Slovenian horse’s mouth i.e. by visiting the country’s official government website.

Where must you apply for your visa for Slovenia?

• Your visa application must be submitted at the Slovenian consular services of your place of residence.
• In countries where Slovenia has no official representation, it has entrusted other Schengen states to receive and handle its visa applications.

AXA Tip: The European Commission provides a list of Schengen Member States’ representation offices and diplomatic posts responsible for processing visa applications for other countries worldwide.
For example, if you are applying for a visa for Slovenia from South Africa, you will need to submit your application at the German embassy located in Cape town.

• In some countries, Slovenia has appointed private visa centres to manage its visa applications.

When should you apply for your visa for Slovenia?

When organising your to-do list for your future trip, you absolutely must take into account the processing time necessary to obtain your visa.

Your visa application can be submitted 6 months at the earliest and 15 days at the latest prior to your departure date.
Once you have handed in your file, the usual processing time is 15 calendar days. During the busiest times of the year (celebrations, summer holidays, European public holidays …) it can be longer.

You must also bear in mind that there might be no early available dates to book your appointment to submit your application, possibly causing further delay in the processing of your visa request.

AXA tip: Get working on your visa application as soon as possible and submit your file 6 to 8 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. This will give you time to manage any hiccups (mistakes in your form, missing information, additional documents required, etc).

How much does a visa for Slovenia cost?

The price of a Schengen visa, standardized among all Member States, varies depending on the age of the applicant:

• Travellers aged 12 and over: full fee
• Children between ages 6 to 12: reduced fee
• Children younger than 6: free of charge

Depending on the purpose of their trip (school trips, research, humanitarian work, etc.), some travellers can enjoy a reduced visa fee or even visa fee exemption.

→ If you want to find out more, read our article detailing the costs entailed by a Schengen visa application.

Please note:

• Visa fees are non-refundable even if the visa application is denied.
• In countries where the Slovenian government has entrusted private visa centres with their visa application procedures, you will need to pay an additional, non-refundable service fee.

What are the different steps of the visa for Slovenia application process?

Our step-by-step guide will help you go through the process without unnecessary panic!
Here we go:

1. Determine what type of visa you need and where to submit your application.
   The Slovenian government website provides detailed information country by country.
2. Make sure your passport meets the visa application requirements:
   • issued less than 10 years prior to your application.
   • valid more than 3 months after your scheduled date of departure from the Schengen area.
   • includes 2 blank pages minimum.
3. Depending on your home country, you will either download an application form or complete it online (when processed via a private visa centre)
4. Book your appointment to hand-in your application file.
5. Subscribe to certified and compulsory travel insurance.
6. Prepare the required supporting documents.
7. Attend your appointment in person to submit your file which must include:
   • a. The letter confirming your appointment,
   • b. The printed application form duly completed, dated and signed,
   • c. Your passport,
   • d. The required supporting documents,
   • e. The accepted means of payment to settle the visa fees and service fees when applicable.

The day of your appointment, you will meet with a visa agent who will:

• make sure your file is complete and that your supporting documents comply with visa requirements.
• record your biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
  Children under age 12 are exempt but they must still attend the appointment.
• collect the visa and service fees.
• keep your passport. Don’t panic, you will get it back later.

8. Once your application has been examined, you will be informed by text/email/phone and will be asked to come recover your passport.

→ If your visa is granted, a visa sticker will feature on your passport.

→ If your visa is denied, a document will be enclosed, explaining the reasons why and how you can appeal the decision.

What documents do you need to provide with your visa for Slovenia application?

Documents mandatory for all visa applicants

• The application form completed, dated and signed.
• A valid passport.
• An ICAO ID picture meeting international standards.
• A travel insurance certificate, demanded by the European Union and compulsory for all visa applicants.
  Your travel insurance for Slovenia must cover all the traveller’s medical expenses in case of illness or accident and comply with the other requirements established by the European Union Visa Code.

AXA Tip: Read our article on Schengen travel insurance to find out more.

Supporting documents specific to individual situations

These documents specify and/or justify:

• The purpose of your stay.
• Your accommodation arrangements during your stay in Slovenia.
• An invitation letter
• Your ability to cover your financial needs during your stay.
• Proof of your intent on leaving the Schengen area at the end of your trip.

Good to know!
On the Slovenian government website, you will find a list of the demanded documents as well as templates of different forms which can be useful for your visa application:

• A list of supporting documents
• A template of an invitation letter
• A template of a letter of financial guarantee
• A list of travel documents accepted by the European Union.

Why is AXA Schengen travel insurance the best choice for you?

• AXA Schengen travel insurance complies with the European Union requirements to obtain a visa.
• It is automatically accepted with your visa application as it is certified by the consular services of all Schengen countries.
• You can easily and quickly subscribe online.
• Once you’ve subscribed, you will immediately receive your travel insurance certificate, allowing you to enclose it with your visa application.
• It offers great value for money and a degressive rate depending on the duration of your stay.
• It is refundable if your visa request is denied.
• It applies a zero-deductible policy.
• There is no age limit.
• It offers assistance and free 24/7 remote medical consultation.
• Different options are available to meet all needs and budgets.
• The benefits of AXA Schengen travel insurance plans are numerous and complete.

Get your commitment-free, online quote now!

Related Articles

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• Safety tips when travelling in Europe
• Who can issue a Schengen visa?
• How to avoid Schengen visa refusal?

FAQ

Is it easy to get a visa for Slovenia?

As a Schengen member state, Slovenia applies the EU’s common policy when it comes to short-stay visas and the requirements to obtain one. However, each country assesses these criteria as they please.

What precautionary measures should I take when travelling to Slovenia?

Many visitors are attracted to Slovenia for its incredible natural settings (2/3^rds of the country are covered by forests) and various outdoor activities, particularly skiing. In the event of a medical problem, the closest health centre might be quite remote. Make sure your travel insurance covers the costs of emergency evacuation to the closest hospital.

Is Slovenia considered a safe country?

Yes, Slovenia is a very safe country. In the 2024 global ranking of countries in terms of safety (Global Peace Index), it featured in 9^th place. Basic caution must still apply of course, particularly in very touristy locations.