The ETIAS Slovenia visa for U.S. citizens
From 2023, U.S. citizens will have to present an approved ETIAS permit upon entry in Slovenia. It will be possible to apply for and obtain the ETIAS permit online, by filling out the ETIAS application form online and receiving your permit via e-mail when the application is approved. The ETIAS permit will allow U.S. citizens to enter Slovenia for tourism, transit, work, or for medical reasons, as long as the duration of the trip is no more than 90 days, and it will be valid for multiple entries made by air, sea, or land. Besides, people between 18 and 70 years of age will be able to apply for ETIAS free of charge.
What is ETIAS Slovenia for Americans?
ETIAS will come into force in 2023, as part of a program of the European Commission aimed at strengthening European borders and keeping a digital track on all people travelling to Schengen Area. After some terrorist attacks that affected some European countries, this program was already approved in 2016. In the last years, data sharing between countries in the European Union was expanded and implemented, allowing for the creation of the ETIAS visa system, that connects the applications for ETIAS with already existing databases.
How does ETIAS Slovenia work for Americans
Starting from 2023 American citizens must have an ETIAS visa before travelling to Slovenia. However, if the trip has other reasons than those provided for ETIAS, or it will be longer than 90 days, they will have to obtain a full visitor Schengen permit, at the embassy or consulate of Slovenia, respecting the timing and requirements for the permit they are applying for. Once issued, ETIAS permit is valid for 3 years, and can be used for multiple entries in Slovenia and other Schengen Area countries, provided that each visit has a duration of less than 90 days. In order to get your approved ETIAS in time for the trip, it is recommended to apply for ETIAS at least 4 days before the departure date. If the ETIAS permit is denied, you can still apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of Slovenia or present an appeal to the country that denied the visa.
ETIAS destinations for Americans
Starting from 2023 ETIAS visa will come into force for Americans to travel to the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
At the time being, Americans are not required to have an ETIAS visa to enter Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, since these countries are currently not Schengen Area members. However, these countries may enter the Schengen Area in the future, so please keep updated with the permit requirements.
ETIAS requirements for Americans and how to apply
In order to apply for the ETIAS visa, you will need to be a U.S. citizen and hold a valid electronic passport issued by the United States of America. If you are not entitled to an American passport, you will have to apply for a Schengen permit. The ETIAS visa application can be completed online, entering all the necessary information by following the required steps, and making sure all the data is entered correctly. Once the application form is completed, you will also be required to pay a fee of 7 euros, applicable to all citizens between 18 and 70 years old, using a credit or debit card. In general, most ETIAS visas are issued within few minutes, or at most in a few hours, and the approved visa will be sent via e-mail as a PDF file. Other than that, you are not required to print the visa, because all the information will already be in the European Schengen authorities’ databases, and those data will be linked to the passport data provided during the application. Anyway, to avoid delays, it is recommended to apply for ETIAS permit at least 4 days prior to the departure, to make sure that the visa is approved and to have the time to provide any additional documents should they be required. In the rare instance where an ETIAS is not approved, you can apply for a full visitor Schengen permit at the embassy or consulate of Slovenia. To avoid mistakes that could lead to delays in the ETIAS approval, it is highly recommended to read and check carefully all the ETIAS permit requirements.
How much does ETIAS Slovenia visa cost for American citizens
The ETIAS application for Americans has a cost of 7 euros for all citizens between 18 and 70 years old, which has to be paid after completing the application form using a credit or debit card. U.S. citizens under 18 and over 70 years of age can apply for the ETIAS visa free of charge.
About Slovenia
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia is a small country located in Europe. The country is almost landlocked but does have a short coastline of 46 kilometers at the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia. It is bordered by Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Hungary.
Covering an area of 20,273 sq. km it has a population of 2.07 million people. The capital and largest city is Ljubljana. The official language is Slovenian with Serbo-Croatian being spoken by a small minority. The major religion is Christianity, and the official currency is the euro.
Slovenia is a mostly mountainous country. It is one of the most water-rich in Europe with a large river network and significant underground watercourses.
Over half of the country is covered by forest. It is home to one of the largest bear populations in Europe, with almost 700 brown bears. One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Slovenia covers 0.004% of the planet but is home to 1% of all living creatures. Despite its small size, this Alpine country controls some of Europe’s major transit routes.
Slovenia has a cuisine that has been influenced by its neighbors, Hungary, Austria, and Italy. As Germans and Austrians are the most frequent tourists, you will see grilled sausages, sauerkraut and apple strudel on the menu in many restaurants.
Slovenia at a glance
Capital: Ljubljana
Timezone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
Languages: Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, Other or unspecified 4.4%
Area: 20,273 KM2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 2,007,000
Calling Code: +386
Travel in Slovenia
Many people spend their entire time in Slovenia in the capital city of Ljubljana. There are a number of attractions here:
- The Ljubljana River
- Ljubljana Cathedral
- Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
- Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers
- The Town Hall
- Nebotičnik Skyscraper
There is a large student population in Ljubljana, as a consequence the bar and club scene is lively. Ljubljana’s former military barracks has some of the more interesting nightclubs, by day it is an Arts Complex.
Whilst in Ljubljana, many people search for the Ljubljana Dragon. You will find the city’s symbol on buildings, bridges, even on iron and woodwork. A visit to Dragon Bridge is the perfect culmination for your dragon hunt.
Slovenia’s second city, Maribor, is also worthy of a visit. It has the Pohorje mountain on one side, vineyards on the other, and the River Drava meandering through the middle.
Skiing is a popular sport here, with nighttime floodlit skiing down the mountain. The cafe culture is thriving in this town, with lots of places to enjoy a coffee by the river.
There are lots of sporting opportunities in Bovec. In the Triglav National Park, this quaint little town is a magnet for adrenaline junkies who visit here in the summer for canyoning on the Soča River. White-water rafting and kayaking are also popular. In the winter, skiers flock to the nearby Kanin Ski Centre.
The US and Slovenia
Slovenia and the United States work actively together on a number of important initiatives and have developed strong, mutually cooperative relations. They work together on a number of bilateral, regional and global issues.
The U.S. and Slovenia are both members of the following groups:
- The United Nations
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- International Monetary Fund
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
Slovenia is also an observer to the Organization of American States.
There are no direct flights to Slovenia from the U.S.A. There are numerous flights to and from European cities. Doing business in Slovenia is very similar to doing business with any other European country. Slovenia has been a member of the E.U. since 2004.
Business dress is smart, and visitors to meetings are expected to be punctual. Many business people have a good knowledge of German, English and occasionally Italian. For translation purposes, there is a large pool of local advisors, consultants, agents, and lawyers who work for foreign companies.
Travelers applying for an ETIAS will be obliged to give the name of the first country they will enter in Europe. This ‘point of entry’ cannot subsequently be changed without starting the whole application process again.
When there are no direct flights to your ultimate destination, as is the case with Slovenia, the name of the first country you will enter must be given. The border controls at that country will be expecting you; no other border control will process you.
FAQ about ETIAS Slovenia visa
List of US diplomatic offices in Slovenia
The Embassy of USA in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Address: Prešernova 31 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
Phone: 386 (1) 200-5500
Fax: 386 (1) 200-5555
The Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, USA
Address: 2410 California Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 United States of America
Phone: (+) 1 202 386 66 01
Fax: (+) 1 202 386 6633
Email: sloembassy.washington(at)gov.si
Consulate of Slovenia in New York, USA
Address: 630 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017
Consulate of Slovenia in Cleveland, USA
Address: 1100 Superior Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (+) 1 216 771 7010
Fax: (+)1 216 771 7701
Email: sloconsulate.cleveland@gov.si
Consulate of Slovenia in San Francisco, USA
Address: The Brandi Law Firm 354 Pine Street, Third Floor San Francisco, CA 94104