World Factbook
Slovenia
Republika Slovenija
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red; the Slovenian seal (a shield with Triglav, the country's highest peak, in white on a blue background) is at the center, with two wavy blue lines under it; three six-pointed stars in an inverted triangle appear on the upper-left meaning: the wavy lines represent seas and rivers; the colors come from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola; the stars come from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje (a Slovene dynastic house)
Capital
name
Ljubljana
etymology
by tradition, the name is related to the Slovene word ljubljena , meaning "beloved," but the origin is probably pre-Slavic and remains obscure
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
46 03 N, 14 31 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia
dual citizenship recognized
yes, for select cases
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous
Constitution
history
previous 1974 (pre-independence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991
amendment process
proposed by at least 20 National Assembly members, by the government, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required if agreed upon by at least 30 Assembly members; passage in a referendum requires participation of a majority of eligible voters and a simple majority of votes cast
Country name
former
People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
etymology
the country's name means "Land of the Slavs" in Slovene; the origin of the Slav name is unclear, although early forms were used in Medieval Latin (Sclavus) and Byzantine Greek (Sklabos)
local long form
Republika Slovenija
local short form
Slovenija
conventional long form
Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form
Slovenia
Independence
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 37 judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor and social security, administrative, and registry departments); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges)
subordinate courts
county, district, regional, and high courts; specialized labor-related and social courts; Court of Audit; Administrative Court
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court president and vice president appointed by the National Assembly on the proposal of the Minister of Justice, based on the opinions of the Judicial Council, an 11-member independent body elected by the National Assembly from proposals submitted by the president, attorneys, law universities, and sitting judges; other Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly from candidates proposed by the Judicial Council; Supreme Court judges serve for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from nominations by the president of the republic; Constitutional Court president selected from among its own membership for a 3-year term; other judges elected for single 9-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly
chief of state
President Natasa PIRC MUSAR (since 23 December 2022)
election results
2022: Natasa PIRC MUSAR elected president in second round: percent of vote in first round - Anze LOGAR (SDS) 34%, Natasa PIRC MUSAR (independent) 26.9%, Milan BRGLEZ (SD) 15.5%, Vladimir PREBILIC (independent) 10.6%, Sabina SENCAR (Resni.ca) 5.9%, Janez CIGLER KRALJ (NSi) 4.4%, other 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Natasa PIRC MUSAR 53.9%, Anze LOGAR 46.1%; Robert GOLOB (GS) elected prime minister on 25 May 2022, National Assembly vote - 54-30 2017: Borut PAHOR reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Borut PAHOR (independent) 47.1%, Marjan SAREC (Marjan Sarec List) 25%, Romana TOMC (SDS) 13.7%, Ljudmila NOVAK (NSi) 7.2%, other 7%; percent of vote in second round - Borut PAHOR 52.9%, Marjan SAREC 47.1%
head of government
Prime Minister Robert GOLOB (since 1 June 2022)
most recent election date
23 October 2022, with a runoff on 13 November 2022
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); following National Assembly elections, the president usually nominates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister, and the National Assembly elects the nominee
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
National color(s)
white, blue, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Škocjan Caves (n); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Heritage of Mercury: Almadén and Idrija (c); The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana (c)
Political parties
Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS Freedom Movement or GS (formerly Greens Actions Party or Z.DEJ) List of Marjan Sarec or LMS New Slovenia - Christian Democrats or NSi Party of Alenka Bratusek or SAB (formerly Alliance of Social Liberal Democrats or ZSD and before that Alliance of Alenka Bratusek or ZaAB) Resni.ca Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS (formerly the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia or SDSS) Slovenian National Party or SNS Social Democrats or SD The Left or Levica (successor to United Left or ZL)
Legislative branch
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Zdravljica" (A Toast)
history
adopted in 1989; originally written in 1848; only the seventh verse of the poem is used as the anthem
lyrics/music
France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL
National symbol(s)
Mount Triglav
Administrative divisions
200 municipalities ( obcine , singular - obcina ) and 12 urban municipalities ( mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina ) municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Drzavni Zbor)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
90 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/24/2022
expected date of next election
April 2026
percentage of women in chamber
35.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Freedom Movement (SVOBODA) (41); Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) (27); New Slovenia - Christian Democrats (NSi) (8); Social Democrats (SD) (7); Left (LEVICA) (5); Other (2)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
note
note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers
chamber name
National Council (Drzavni Svet)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
40 (all indirectly elected)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/23/2022 to 11/24/2022
expected date of next election
November 2027
percentage of women in chamber
17.5%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 386-6633
chancery
2410 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 386-6611
chief of mission
Ambassador Iztok MIROŠIČ (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general
Cleveland (OH)
email address and website
sloembassy.washington@gov.si http://www.washington.embassy.si/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[386] (1) 200-5555
embassy
Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
telephone
[386] (1) 200-5500
mailing address
7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Brian GREANEY (since August 2025)
email address and website
LjubljanaACS@state.gov https://si.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction