Overseas Business Risk: Slovenia
Updated 7 January 2025
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Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Slovenia.
1. Political
The Republic of Slovenia is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system, governed by a coalition government. The parliament consists of two chambers: the National Assembly, consisting of 90 members, and the National Council, consisting of 40 members. The majority of power lies with the National Assembly. The National Council represents social, economic, professional and local interest groups, and plays an advisory role only. A centre-left coalition government has been in power since 2022.
Slovenia has been a member of NATO since March 2004 and the European Union since May 2004, and hosts the EU’s energy agency ACER. It is also a member of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organisation of Economic Development (OECD), and the Council of Europe. From January 2024 to December 2025 Slovenia will be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
2. Economic
There are 2.1 million inhabitants in Slovenia (2024). Population density is 105 people per square kilometre, with the highest density in and around Ljubljana. According to the Republic of Slovenia Statistical Office unemployment stands at 4.4% (Q3, 2024).
Slovenia adopted the euro in 2007. The Bank of Slovenia supervises Slovenia’s banking system and exchange rates. Annual inflation in December 2024 stood at 1.9% (up slightly from 1.4% in June). While inflation has slowed, it remains elevated in services, largely driven by strong wage growth.
According to the European Commission GDP growth is forecast to accelerate to 2.5% in 2025 and 2.6% in 2026 (from 1.4% in 2024). In 2024, investment weakened slightly, driven by lower investment in machinery and non-residential construction. Investment is set to accelerate in 2025 due to the deployment of EU Recovery and Resilience Funds. Investment in machinery and equipment is also expected to increase due to improving financial conditions and higher exports demand. At the same time, imports are set to pick up, in line with higher consumption and investment.
An OECD economic survey (July 2024) highlights the need for Slovenia to lower labour taxes to encourage labour market participation, and to lift barriers in retail trade and restrictions on professional services to help stimulate growth. The survey also highlights a need for continued efforts to fight corruption to reduce the risk of corruption in public procurement.
GDP per capita (at the end of 2023) stood at 30,158 euros.
According to the Slovenian government statistical office Slovenia’s general government deficit stood at 89 million euros in the third quarter of 2024, or 0.5% of Slovenia’s GDP, down 0.8 percentage points year-on-year. General consolidated government debt stood at 44.25 billion euros, or 66.9% of GDP, down 4.1 points year-on-year. Revenue grew for the fifteenth quarter in a row to 7.64 billion euros, up by 7.7% year-on-year, while expenditure grew by 5.7% to 7.73 billion euros. Revenue increases can be attributed to the introduction of compulsory health contributions in 2024, taxes on production and imports and property income.
3. Trade
Slovenia ranks 37 globally on the World Bank’s 2020 ease of doing business ranking, up by 0.1% from 2019. It ranks number 1 for trading across borders, while dealing with constructions permits and getting credit both rank 119 globally.
The trade balance for 2024 (January to October) showed a deficit value of €6 billion euros (more imports than exports).
According to the Slovenian statistical office in the first ten months of 2024, the value of exports with non-EU member countries increased by 38.3% and with EU Member States by 1.2%. The value of imports from EU Member States went down by 2.7% and with non-EU member countries increased significantly, by 193.6%.
Key trading countries for Slovenia (based on the total value of exports and imports in the first ten months of 2024 - provisional data taken from the Slovene statistical website) shows that Switzerland ranked first, followed by Germany and then China. Slovenia’s neighbours Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary ranked 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively, with India at 5th place. The UK ranked 29th.
Total trade with the UK (PDF, 3.6MB) stood at GBP 1.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024. An increase of 8.3% or £103 million in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023.
Total UK exports to Slovenia amounted to £481 million in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024 (an increase of 7.1% or £32 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023).
Total UK imports from Slovenia amounted to £868 million in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024 (an increase of 8.9% or £71 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023).
Goods exported from the UK to Slovenia up to Q2 2024 included medicinal and pharmaceutical products, specialised machinery, and plastics in non-primary form. Goods imported to the UK from Slovenia in 2024 included medicinal and pharmaceutical products, cars, and miscellaneous metal manufactured goods.
Services exported from the UK to Slovenia up to Q2 2024 included intellectual property, travel, other business services. Services imported to the UK from Slovenia included other business services, travel, insurance and pensions.
4. Human rights
Slovenia is signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights, which has been incorporated into domestic legislation. Slovenia is a signatory to all International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on labour rights. Trades Unions are active in all sectors and the Slovene Government regularly engages in dialogue with the unions and other ‘social partners’ on changes to legislation that might affect workers’ rights or terms and conditions.
A 2023 United States Department of State report downgraded Slovenia to a Tier 2, concluding that the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so. Recommendations include more vigorous investigation and prosecution of crimes, including tougher penalties and prison terms and more support for victims.
Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age or sexuality is illegal under Slovenian law. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are defined in the Constitution. Women and minority groups have equal access to education and employment rights. In 2022, Slovenia introduced a strategy with the aims to eliminate poverty and social exclusion of marginalised Roma communities with a particular focus on addressing child welfare, education, employment, healthcare and housing.
More information can be found on the human rights and equal opportunities (GOV.SI) and Slovenian Human Rights Ombudsman pages.
5. Bribery and corruption
Bribery is illegal. It is an offence for British nationals or someone who is ordinarily resident in the UK, a body incorporated in the UK or a Scottish partnership, to bribe anywhere in the world.
In addition, a commercial organisation carrying on a business in the UK can be liable for the conduct of a person who is neither a UK national or resident in the UK or a body incorporated or formed in the UK. In this case it does not matter whether the acts or omissions which form part of the offence take place in the UK or elsewhere.
In 2023, Slovenia was ranked 42 (down from 41st place in 2022 and 35th in 2020) of 180 countries in Transparency International’s corruption perception index (CPI). Low-level bribery is not common in Slovenia.
In October 2024, the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published a report concluding that there had been insufficient progress in implementing anti-corruption recommendations and that robust action is needed to strengthen integrity in government and police. The report noted that while progress had been made on raising awareness of integrity matters within government, actions such as managing conflicts of interests and carrying out substantive checks of asset declarations were needed.
For law enforcement, the report noted improvements in the identification of problems and management of risks and conflicts of interest, including an increase in the representation of women in the Police, and the strengthening of protections for whistleblowers. However, it highlighted a need for greater accessibility to reporting channels, greater transparency in recruitment, and mechanisms to prevent and manage conflicts of interest after police officers leave the Police.
Slovenia also has a National Bureau of Investigation, which operates as part of the police system, and specialises in economic and financial crime.
For further information read our bribery and corruption page.
6. Terrorism threat
Read the latest travel advice for Slovenia on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website, including information about current border checks. You can find further information on our terrorism threat page.
7. Protective security advice
Crime rates in Slovenia are very low compared to most parts of Europe. The Slovenian Police website lists all registered criminal cases. Read the information provided on our Crime and fraud prevention for businesses in international trade page.
8. Intellectual property
Intellectual property rights are territorial, that is they only give protection in the countries where they are granted or registered. If you are thinking about trading internationally, you should consider registering your IP rights in your export markets.
For information on registering your trademark or patent in Slovenia you should contact the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).
Read the information provided on our intellectual property page.
9. Organised crime
Some organised crime exists in Slovenia. Businesses and individuals unconnected with such groups have not been specifically targeted by serious organised crime. Businesses should always check the background of any potential partners, and be aware of the potential for online fraud.
Read the information on our Crime and fraud prevention for businesses in international trade page or the Slovenian police website.
10. Useful information
We can provide a range of advice through our Europe-wide export and investment services – both available on www.great.gov.uk.
Also see: