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Business visit


PREP FOR SLOVENIA BUSINESS TRIP
www.slovenia.info / Photo: Jošt Gantar
How to get there? | Safety & National holidays | Business etiquette | Related links

The development of transport and other infrastructure has been taking place hand in hand with the changes in economic and travel patterns. Traffic jams are rare but plan your trips to avoid the most popular routes during the high tourist season and do not forget that many people are on the move around Easter and Christmas.


HOW TO GET THERE?

Choosing a road trip

Slovenia is easy to reach from anywhere in Europe by car within a day or two. The well-developed road network is safe for travel. Highways provide good connection to cities and countries, and are clearly marked. Road signs and traffic rules are consistent with those used throughout Europe. As the number of cars in Slovenia is on a continuous increase, roads are becoming more congested, especially during the weekends and rush hours. Parking is difficult and can be expensive in Ljubljana’s city centre. Third-party liability insurance is required for all vehicles; coverage is purchased locally.

Between November 15th and March 15th, the use of winter tires is mandated by law.

Motorway tolls for passenger vehicles is paid with vignettes (toll stickers). Yearly vignette for vehicles with the permissible maximum weight of 3.5 ton is EUR 110 (price for monthly vignette is EUR 30 and for weekly vignette EUR 15). Vignettes are sold at petrol stations in Slovenia and neighbouring countries and at branches of the national and foreign automobile clubs, at post offices in Slovenia and at some magazine stands (Vignettes' sales points). Read more about vignettes.

More information about traffic: Traffic information centre

Opting for Rail

Slovenia has a well-developed railway network along major Pan-European transport corridors (X Pan-European corridor, Mediterranean and Baltic-Adriatic Ten-T corridor). Direct express trains from neighbouring countries and many other parts of Europe offer an easy way to get to Slovenia. Slovenia is a part of the Eurail Global Pass system.

Train travel in Slovenia is inexpensive. The national rail operator is Slovenske zeleznice (Slovenian Railways). The company runs both passenger and freight services.

Get information about international and domestic timetables and fares.

How far are major cities from Slovenia's capital?

Desination km* Time
Zagreb 140 1:45
Venice 240 2:30
Vienna 385 3:45
Budapest 460 4:15
Munich 400 4:30
Milan 500 5:00
Brno 500 5:00
Belgrade 530 5:00
Sarajevo 540 6:00

Arriving By Air

The Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport, 25km from the capital Ljubljana is the main Slovenian airport for passengers and cargo. Regular and charter flights carry passengers to all important European destinations. You can find detailed information about scheduled flights from/to Ljubljana's Airport. There is a taxi service from the airport and a one-way fare to Ljubljana city should not exceed EUR 50. If you provide your flight details, most of the hotels in Ljubljana will organise A shuttle service from/to the airport (one-way fare is around EUR 30 per person). Transport services from nearby airports and cities to Slovenia are offered by various low-cost carriers (GoOpti, VamoTamo, naLetalisce, Point2Point etc.)

The key advantage of Slovenia’s airports is that due to their size the clearance procedures are fast; and they are suitable for private jets as well.

You can also arrive via one of the nearby airports in the neighbouring countries ((Zagreb, Trieste, Venice, Graz…) that are reachable by care within two or three hours from any part of Slovenia.

Covid 19 pandemic has affected air travel to and from Slovenia as it has elsewhere in the world. Please follow the latest information on your embassy’s website for any updates regarding the ongoing coronavirus situation in Slovenia. You can also contact us for any information.

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One of the safest places to visit

Slovenia is the 11th safest country in the world. Slovenia’s overall crime rate is low and violent crimes are quite uncommon. Most crimes tend to be directed towards obtaining personal property, such as purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and residential and vehicle break-ins. Visitors should take normal security precautions and report any incidents to the local police.

Adequate medical care is readily available and many physicians are English-speaking. All medications, including those over-the-counter and first aid supplies, are dispensed through pharmacies (“lekarna”). The European Health Insurance Card is a free card that gives travellers access to essential, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as inhabitants of that country. Visitors from other countries should find out BEFORE their visit whether or not their medical insurance will cover the costs during their trip to Slovenia.

To travel safely and responsibly, regularly check the updates on the current situation and follow safety guidelines.

National holidays

1 and 2 January New Year’s Day
8 February Prešeren Day, the Slovenian Cultural Holiday
Monday March/April Easter Monday
27 April Day of Uprising against Occupation
1 and 2 May May Day Holiday
25 June Statehood Day
15 August Assumption Day
31 October Reformation Day
1 November All Saints Day
25 December Christmas
26 December Independence and Unity Day

The local business etiquette

In Slovenia, it is advisable to schedule meetings at least two weeks in advance. Most Slovenians tend to work efficiently, with a focus on results, which can sometimes come across as too direct. Yet, this is part of the culture focused around respecting one another’s time. Punctuality is particularly important for business meetings. Being late demonstrates a lack of respect and it is highly recommended to call ahead to apologise and give a valid reason for the delay.

Dress appropriately for business occasions. Men should wear suits and women should wear business attire.

Shaking hands at the beginning and end of the meeting is customary, however, due to Covid 19, this is temporarily not the norm. A simple nod with your head is sufficient enough.

Professional or academic titles are commonly used with the surname as they denote personal achievement. If someone does not have a professional or academic title, use the courteous titles “Gospa” (Madam) or “Gospod” (Sir) with the surname. There is an emerging trend to use of first names.

Business cards are essential; they are exchanged without formal ritual after introductions.

Expect some chit-chat before getting down to business. It's important not to rush this, because it's part of building the relationship.

You may bring a small gift, such as wine or chocolate. Wrap a present in the wrapping paper of your liking, as there are no colour taboos. If you receive a gift, open it upon receipt. The cost of the gift is not important; it is the thought that counts.

Most international meetings are conducted in English, however, Slovenians are also quite fluent in German and Italian.

Business decision-making processes are often based on hierarchy, and many decisions are still reached at the highest echelons of the company. Business decisions are often based on personal sentiments about the other person. Slovenian businessmen tend to prefer non-confrontational business dealings when possible. This means that even when giving a straightforward response, they will generally proceed cautiously rather than hurt another person’s feelings.

Being a guest in a Slovenian household

If you are invited to a Slovenian household: arrive on time or within 5 minutes of the stipulated time as this demonstrates respect for your hosts. It is considered good manners to bring flowers to the hostess and a bottle of wine to the host. Dress conservatively and in clothes you might wear to the office. It is common to remove your shoes at the door. Most hosts will offer slippers to guests. Slovenians tend to separate their business and personal lives. Therefore, it is a good idea to refrain from initiating business discussions in social situations. Expect to be offered some form of refreshments, even if you have not been specifically invited to a meal. It is common for the host to accompany guests to their car when they leave.

Slovenians as business partners usually do not like to share their private information. After a while, once trust has been built, they will talk openly about many subjects, but rarely about private topics.


Related links

Country profile of Slovenia

RICH HISTORY, DIVERSE GEOGRAPHY

Great resourecs about living in Slovenia

PROVIDING A LIFESTYLE AS GOOD AS IT CAN GET

Pointers for establishing a company in Slovenia

STARTING BUSINESS FAST AND SIMPLE

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