As of October 2025, Slovenia has begun the gradual implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES ) – a digital border control mechanism that replaces manual passport stamping with electronic registration for travelers entering or leaving the Schengen area. The system only applies to short-term visitors from non-EU countries, while foreign residents in Slovenia, including holders of Slovenian residence or work permits (such as digital nomads, entrepreneurs and other long-term residents), are not subject to the new rules.

This distinction is important: if you already have a valid residence permit or residence and work permit in Slovenia, your entry and exit will continue to be processed under existing national procedures, not under the EES.

What Is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES ) is an EU-wide initiative to record the entry and exit of third-country nationals visiting the Schengen area for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). It is part of the EU’s broader digital transformation of border management, which aims to improve security, efficiency and transparency.

The EES electronically stores:

  • Personal and passport data
  • Entry and exit details (date, time, and location)
  • Biometric data (fingerprints and facial images)

All data is stored in a secure EU database managed by eu-LISA, ensuring better coordination between EU border control authorities.

For more details, visit the Slovenian Police website.

How It Works in Slovenia

In Slovenia, the EES will be implemented at international border crossings with non-Schengen countries and at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. When a traveler from a non-EU country enters or leaves Slovenia without a Slovenian residence permit, he or she will be checked:

  1. Present a valid passport.
  2. Have their facial image and fingerprints scanned upon their first entry.
  3. Wait briefly as the data is uploaded into the EU’s central EES database.

Future crossings will be faster, as biometric data will already be stored.

However, this process does not apply to foreigners who legally reside in Slovenia. For example:

  • Holders of temporary or permanent residence permits.
  • Holders of Slovenian work and residence permits.
  • Digital nomads who hold a Slovenian residence permit under the relevant immigration category.

These individuals continue to be processed according to Slovenian national regulations and are not registered in the EES database.

Who Is Affected by the EES?

EES applies to:

  • Non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area for short stays (visa-free or with a type C visa).

EES does not apply to:

  • EU citizens and Schengen residents.
  • Holders of long-stay visas (type D) or residence permits issued by any Schengen state.
  • Foreign nationals who reside in Slovenia on the basis of a valid residence or work permit.

If you live, work or run a business in Slovenia – whether as a digital nomad, expatriate professional or foreign investor your travel to and from Slovenia will continue to be governed by your residency status, not the EES.

Why It Matters

The EES modernizes EU border management by:

  • Replacing manual passport stamps.
  • Reducing errors and administrative delays.
  • Detecting overstayers automatically.
  • Enhancing security and traveler tracking.

That said, travelers should expect slightly longer checks during the first months of rollout, as biometric data is collected for new visitors.

Implementation Timeline

The rollout began in October 2025 and will continue in phases across all Schengen borders. Slovenia is part of the first phase. Once fully operational, the system will be linked to ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), which is expected to go live in 2026.

For current information, see RTV Slovenija or the official EU EES portal.

Practical Tips for Travelers

  • Arrive early at the border or airport, especially during the initial EES rollout.
  • Ensure your passport is machine-readable and valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned stay.
  • Be prepared for biometric data collection on your first entry.
  • Keep updated through official channels such as the Slovenian Police and the EU EES website.

If you hold a Slovenian residence permit, none of these new steps apply to you. Your regular entry and exit procedures remain unchanged.

About SIBIZ

SIBIZ Business Services Ltd., based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, provides accounting, tax, and legal advisory services to foreign entrepreneurs, business professionals, digital nomads and corporations. We assist clients with company formation, residency procedures, and compliance matters throughout Slovenia and the wider EU region, including support for digital nomads, foreign residents, and global investors.

Visit www.sibiz.eu for more information or assistance with immigration, residency, and business compliance in Slovenia.