Staying abreast of employment regulations is crucial for anyone working or running a business in Slovenia. A new law, the Health Intervention Measures Act (ZDIUPZ), which comes into force on January 1, 2026, introduces significant changes to the rights and obligations regarding sick leave compensation.

These changes affect everyone involved in the process: Employees (members), medical staff and employers.

Who is entitled to sickness benefit?

According to the Health Care and Health Insurance Act (ZZVZZ), the right to compensation during temporary absence from work applies to all persons employed in the Republic of Slovenia. This includes

  1. Employees of domestic and foreign employers.
  2. Individuals engaged in independent business or professional activities.
  3. Partners in corporations and directors of limited liability companies whose principal occupation is management.

Stricter rules for withholding compensation

The law is becoming stricter about when sick leave benefits can be withheld. An insured person may lose his or her right to compensation if

  1. Failing to notify their employer or personal physician of their illness within three days without a valid reason.
  2. They do not respond to an invitation to a medical examination or a medical commission without a valid reason.

According to the new ZDIUPZ regulations, an employee is also not entitled to compensation if he or she works while on sick leave or does not follow the written instructions of the doctor.

Transparency and digital integration through SPOT

To ensure better oversight, physicians are now required to provide clear instructions on how to behave while on sick leave (e.g., bed rest, limited movement, or allowed walks). These instructions are handled with high transparency:

  1. The physician enters the orders into the patient portal.
  2. Instructions are sent electronically to the insured.
  3. Employers are notified of these instructions (without revealing the specific medical diagnosis) via the Slovenian Business Point (SPOT) portal.

If an employee does not have a valid digital contact, they are responsible for obtaining these instructions from their doctor through other agreed channels.

Restrictions on movement and travel abroad

In accordance with Article 22 of the ZDIUPZ, an insured person must, in principle, remain at his/her place of residence. They may only leave for

  1. Obtaining medical services.
  2. Caring for a close family member (if not at home).
  3. Situations where the personal physician determines that leaving home will not adversely affect your health.

Travel abroad while on medical leave is strictly regulated. It is allowed only if a medical committee grants special permission for medical treatment or urgent personal reasons (e.g., death in the family), provided the travel does not interfere with recovery.

Consequences of violations

If a violation is discovered, the Slovenian Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS) may decide that the insured person is not entitled to compensation for up to 30 days from the date of the violation. However, in the case of a first offense, compensation cannot be withdrawn if more than five years have passed since the last offense.

Employer supervision and legal responsibility

Employers have the right to monitor whether an employee is complying with the prescribed movement regime. According to the Employment Relationship Act (ZDR-1), employees must act in accordance with instructions. Misleading an employer to take advantage of sick leave may result in labor disputes, claims for damages and, in severe cases, criminal liability for fraud under the Slovenian Criminal Code (KZ-1).

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SIBIZ is a premier consultancy firm dedicated to providing first class support to business professionals, corporate clients and individuals in Slovenia. We offer expert advice on employment law, tax compliance and business immigration to ensure you and your company stay ahead of regulatory changes.

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