STA, 21 July 2020 - The newspaper Primorske Novice says that Slovenia's less-known tourist destinations are the winners of the tourism voucher scheme designed to help the sector overcome the coronacrisis. They are being discovered because the well-known destinations are fully booked weeks in advance.

Only 6% of the vouchers, issued to all residents, have been redeemed so far and many people will be redeeming theirs in autumn or winter.

But this moment, many Slovenians are hoping to book a holiday at a destination that was far from the top of their list because the most popular destinations are full, the paper says under the headline We'll Be Back, Voucher or Not.

It also notes that there are two sides to every coin. While tourists want a nice and cheap holiday, service providers in some popular destination have doubled prices.

But the sector has also come to realise that domestic guests are the most reliable in this unpredictable world. They will not be able to save the season single-handedly, but the vouchers will see Slovenians discover their own country and decide whether they want to return.

"Data showing that domestic tourists have spread also across destinations they would not have considered usually ... is undoubtedly a positive outcome of this experiment."

All our stories on Slovenia’s tourist vouchers

STA, 28 June 2020 - Slovenian seaside resorts, popular tourist destinations in the country, are seeing a considerably bigger share of domestic guests in the wake of coronavirus restrictions as well as concerns and introduction of government holiday vouchers. Accommodation providers are optimistic, recording growing demand.

What You Need to Know about Slovenia’s Tourist Vouchers to Kickstart the Tourism Industry

Since Thursday, all seaside hotels belonging to the Sava Turizem company are open and have been almost fully booked this weekend. Eurotas hotels on the coast are also seeing increased demand.

Next weekend, the situation will be similar, said Sava Turizem; its hotels in Izola and Strunjan are to be mostly fully booked, whereas the rest will record 65%-70% occupancy rate.

Domestic guests are the majority, followed by tourists from Austria and Germany.

The share of Slovenian guests in Sava Turizem hotels has spiked. Previously, domestic guests accounted for some 30% of all the demand, whereas this year almost 80% come from Slovenia.

Meanwhile, Eurotas hotels at the seaside have also reopened, seeing buoyant demand. Foreign guests are still more common, however the share of Slovenians has increased as well compared to previous tourist seasons.

Moreover, government holiday vouchers have been in the spotlight, with many Slovenians opting to use them or asking about relevant instructions, the company said.

Since last Friday, it’s been possible for permanent residents of Slovenia to use their tourist vouchers as a form of payment for a accommodation facilities, and since they can be used in instalments residents who use the government’s e-services can follow their balance with Tax Office's E-Davki website and application.

Related: What You Need to Know about Slovenia’s Tourist Vouchers to Kickstart the Tourism Industry

Where can you to find it?

Enter into eDavki portal and sign in. Click your name in the upper right corner.

In case you’ve registered an S.P. you will have to choose your “natural person” (fizična oseba) account, or else the system will treat you as a potential service provider (as a “taxable person”) rather than a consumer.

Choose ”Insights” (Vpogledi) in the left column.

Scroll down to the “redemption of tourist vouchers” and click on “Insight into redeemed tourist vouchers”.

Here you’ll get the information on your current tourist voucher account.

Why are people getting “free money” to go on vacation?

Slovenia is attempting to restart its tourism industry by spending up to €345 million on tourist vouchers (turistični boni) for all permanent residents, with people being encouraged to have a domestic vocation and do their patriotic duty by then going out and enjoying meals, activities and so on to make up for the expected loss in foreign visitors.

How much will I get?

All permanent residents of Slovenia aged 18 and over in 2020, including foreigners with that status as of 13 March 2020 and those whose 18^th birthdays are later this year, will a get €200 tourist voucher. Those under 18 will get €50.

When can I use the money?

The vouchers can be used from today, 19 June, until the end of the year. If you haven’t used the money by 31 December, then you’ll lose it, with the government expecting around €100 million will remain unclaimed.

How can I get my voucher?

The vouchers are not actual pieces of paper, but will be paid to the place you book accommodation based on your tax number and identification details (perhaps only the latter, but we recommend having your tax number with you, if an adult, to avoid disappointent), which you’ll need to show, along with completing a form, at the reception desk. But note that providers do not have to accept the vouchers – so check before making a booking.

Do I need to spend all €200 at once?

No, you can use the money in installments, and you can check your balance online - find out how here.

Where can I spend the money

In short, any registered tourist facility that offers accommodation, with or without breakfast, such as hotels, self-catering units, lodges, tourism farms, private homes (aka Airbnb), mountain huts, camps and other facilities.

What if I don’t want to travel?

Then you can transfer the money to a relative within the immediate family, with siblings and cousins excluded, with more details here. Note that the entire amount must be transferred at one time.

I run an accomodation provider – when will I get paid?

FURS – the tax office – should pay you within 30 days of the guest checking in and using a voucher.

What about fraud?

If you violate the rules on transferring your voucher to another person then there are fines from €200 to €600. If a tourist provider commits fraud, the fines are from €3000 to 40,000 – see here.

Anything else I should know?

Yes, the provider will need internet access to validate your voucher at the reception desk. While this shouldn’t be a problem with most places, mountain huts may have unreliable connections. In which case the guest will need to pay, get a receipt, and then apply fro a refund from FURS within three days of checking out. The refund should then be delivered within 30 days.

Can I bring a guest?

Yes, but the person with the voucher will need to be traveling with the guest and stay overnight at the same place.

Everyone over 18 (including those currently 17 who’ll be 18 later this year) with permanent residency in Slovenia will soon be able to claim their €200 tourist voucher (turistični boni), while minors will get €50. These can be used to pay for accommodation, and will be claimed by giving your Slovenian tax number to the provider (at least for the adults – it’s unclear, as yet, how the children will get theirs).

The money can be used any time until the end of the year and at any businesses registered under the following categories:

- 55.100 - Hotels and other similar accommodation

- 55.201 - Holiday homes and resorts

- 55.202 - Tourist farms with rooms

- 55.203 - Renting private rooms to guests

- 55.204 - Mountain lodges and youth hostels

- 55.209 - Other short-term accommodation

- 55.300 - Camping activities

I’m going to the coast, to rent a small apartment with a balcony and short walk to the water, where I intend to do nothing, but what follows are five rental properties from Think Slovenia further inland to consider. Note that there are multiweek discounts on most properties, and corona-friendly booking conditions on most, too (15% payable to book, 85% 1 week before arrival). Take a look at the pictures below, click through if interested, or explore all the properties for rent and sale at Think Slovenia.

Villa Del Mare, Piran & Adriatic: Sleeps 10

Welcome to Villa Del Mare, a high quality modern semi-detached villa in the charming, peaceful, hilltop Mediterranean village of Hrvatini. Offering three bedrooms, three bathrooms, pool, garden and spectacular coastal views located just 4km to the attractive seaside towns of Ankaran (Slovenia) or Muggia (Italy) and with the attractions of the Gulf of Trieste, the Slovenian Adriatic & Croatian Istria all in very easy day trip reach. Well-equipped and extremely spacious, Villa Del Mare is an excellent villa for a family seaside holiday.

See more of this property here

Cherry Orchard House, Karst & Goriska Brda: Sleeps 9

Cherry Orchard is an immaculately renovated, spacious, comfortable three-bedroom house with garden and wonderful views over vineyards, orchards and rolling hills, topped with charming old stone villages. The house is located in the heart of Slovenia's Tuscany - the stunning Goriska Brda wine region, a little known gem between Nova Gorica and the Soča Valley on the border with the Italian Friuli region. The house is in walking distance to Smartno (St Martin) one of the region's most appealing historic small towns. The area is a treasure trove for culinary and wine enthusiasts, as well as offering wonderful walking, beautiful nature and a huge range of daytrips within easy reach.

See more of this property here

Villa Belica, Lake Bled & Bohinj: Sleeps 6

Villa Belica is a 3-bedroom Bohinj chalet sleeping up to 6 people just a few minutes’ drive from Lake Bohinj one of Slovenia's most stunning natural treasures and in close proximity to quality skiing at Vogel and a huge range of river, lake & mountain activities in summer. Located on the edge of a quiet village of weekend chalets, on one side of the chalet is a beautiful secluded garden enclosed by forest, on the other side a panoramic view of the Julian Alps. The Villa has three bedrooms (one twin, two doubles - one with ensuite, one with balcony), large living / dining room leading out to the terrace, fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and additional WC, plus second living room / games room in the basement. Very nicely fitted and equipped to the highest standards throughout including a lovely garden with lounge seating, outside dining and barbecue area. A fantastic base from which to explore Slovenia’s enchanting Lakes Region. The villa is in same village as the lovely Chalet Savica, Chalet Planina & Villa Frida giving an excellent option for groups of up to 28 when rented together.

See more of this property here

Villa Planina, Kranjska Gora: Sleeps 2 to 20 in 4 apartments

Villa Planina offers spacious self-catering accommodation for groups of 2-20 in four apartments in an alpine chalet with wonderful uninterrupted views of the Julian Alps. Villa Planina is located in a quiet spot on the edge of the charming authentic alpine village of Ratece just a few kilometres out of Slovenia’s most famous mountain resort - Kranjska Gora and within walking distance of several excellent local restaurants and amenities with fantastic walking and mountain biking right from the doorstep of the villa and a wide range of winter sports in very easy reach, including skiing at Kranjska Gora Ski Resort (5 minutes’ drive) and Tarvisio Monte Lussari (15 minutes’ drive). The four apartments each offer extremely spacious, comfortable and well equipped accommodation, each with large balcony with fantastic views and a communal games room and kid's soft play room in the basement.

See more of this property here

Villa Recica, Lake Bled & Bohinj: Sleeps 9 to 19 in 2 houses

Villa Recica is a spacious, contemporary house, with stunning high specification interior design, in a beautiful position just a few hundred metres from the shoreline of world famous Lake Bled. The house is in a tranquil setting with a wonderful view over Lake Bled with the rugged Karavanke Mountains in the background, with a fantastic lakeside beach area 20 mins walk away.

The North house at Villa Recica sleeps nine people, offering three double bedrooms, two with their own balcony (one overlooking Lake Bled) and a mezzanine 4th bedroom / study and a sofabed in the living room. It is luxuriously fitted out with designer furnishings and high quality fixtures, with two bathrooms (one en suite), a relaxing sauna, an open plan modern kitchen / dining / living room, covered parking for two cars and magnificent private lake view terrace.

The South house at Villa Recica sleeps 10 people, offering three double bedrooms two with their own balcony (one overlooking Lake Bled), a mezzanine 4th bedroom / study and sofa-bed in the living room. It is beautifully fitted out with designer furnishings and high quality fixtures, with 2 bathrooms (one en suite), a relaxing sauna, an open plan modern kitchen / dining room / living room, covered parking for two cars and magnificent private lake view terrace.

See more of this property here

Elipa House, Lower Gorenjska: Sleeps 5

Elipa house is a lovingly renovated and comfortable two-bedroom cottage with great facilities, plenty of space and fabulous 180 degree views from the 3 sided deck. Located in a fantastic secluded position surrounded by unspoilt nature on the edge of a charming authentic alpine village with an abundance of beautiful walking and biking trails locally, 10 mins drive to Krvavec mountain & ski resort, 15 minutes to Ljubljana airport and the beautiful medieval town of Kamnik and just half an hour to Ljubljana and Lake Bled, A fantastic place to relax and recharge your batteries in nature or to explore the Bled, Ljubljana & Krvavec areas from one convenient base.

See more of this property here

STA, 12 June - The coronavirus epidemic and the vouchers that permanent residents will receive to spend on accommodation seem to prompt Slovenians to largely spend their summer holidays in Slovenia this year. A survey by the Slovenian Tourist Board shows that 52% of all respondents intend to spend their summer holidays in the country.

Only 32% of the respondents will go abroad, which compares to almost two thirds of all private trips by Slovenians in 2019 being made abroad, mostly in neighbouring Croatia.

The Tourist Board wanted to identify the trends of Slovenian tourists for this year's summer season, as tourism has suffered a major blow due the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over 40% of those who intend to holiday in Slovenia will make several shorter trips around the country, a quarter will afford one such trip and a fifth a mix of both.

Almost a half of them (49%) will go to the seaside, followed by spas (37%) and mountains (36%).

Of the 52% who intend to go on their holidays in Slovenia, as many as 94% plan to use the holiday vouchers to pay for accommodation, a state aid measure to kick-start tourism.

Every adult with permanent residence will receive a EUR 200 voucher to spend until the end of 2020 on bed and breakfast or just bed, with minors receiving EUR 50.

As many as 42% have decided to spend their summer holidays in Slovenia because they will receive the vouchers.

The majority will opt for accommodation at private rooms, self-catering units or cottages, 15% at hotels and 12% at camping sites.

The Tourist Board said vouchers seem to have a major impact on deciding whether to holiday in Slovenia or abroad, as 33% said they were the main reason for staying in Slovenia.

The survey also shows that Slovenians are not terrified of catching Covid-19, with a half not afraid of contracting it at all.

As many as 16% of the respondents meanwhile do not intend to go on holidays this summer, with the majority (34%) citing financial reasons, 23% concern for safety and health and around 10% closed borders.

STA, 9 June 2020 - Cheating with tourist vouchers (turistični boni) will not pay off as fines are relatively high, from EUR 1,200 to 40,000 for legal entities and from EUR 200 to 600 for individuals, heard a news conference at which some details about the vouchers - a state aid measure to help Slovenian tourism survive the Covid-19 crisis - were presented on Tuesday.

The Economy Ministry held the news conference a day after the government specified the use of tourist vouchers, deciding they could be used in several instalments, not necessarily all at once, as initially planned.

The Financial Administration (FURS) will be in charge of paying tourism companies at which a tourist will want to pay with a voucher. The deadline for payment will be 30 days.

Peter Grum, FURS deputy director general, said this demanding project for FURS will have two goals - to provide a simple, fast and effective manner of payment and to prevent fraud.

There are some 2.05 million people with permanent residence in Slovenia eligible for vouchers, of whom around 1.7 million adults and 350,000 minors (under 18).

The former will receive a EUR 200 voucher and the latter EUR 50 to spend on bed and breakfast or only on bed at Slovenian tourism facilities until the end of 2020.

Grum said the goal of a simple, fast and efficient voucher payment is important so that the state aid comes to those who need it fast - the tourism sector.

He said there were several oversight mechanisms in place to prevent abuse, with random checks to be carried out by FURS and market inspectors.

For instance, vouchers could only be used at tourism companies incorporated no later than 13 March, the start of the epidemic.

Another safeguard is that vouchers will be available only electronically, as a credit in FURS's IT system.

Tourism companies will also have access to their guests' voucher credit in order to avoid a tourist using their voucher at some other accommodation provider.

Where there is no internet, at mountain huts, for instance, a tourist could pay for the accommodation with their own money and then claim a refund from FURS.

However a tourist voucher could not be used for accommodation payment on platforms such as Booking or Airbnb, explained Grum, adding that it could be used if booking was made through such platforms but the payment itself was made at the provider of accommodation.

Tourism companies will have a discretion to accept vouchers.

However, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek does not expect them to reject vouchers, arguing a voucher is comparable to a credit card and the payment period will be generally even shorter.

He again defended the government decision to offer vouchers only for bed or for bed and breakfast, saying this was a conscious decision.

Making vouchers available for all inclusive services, "would lead to an even greater concentration at large tourism companies, which would worsen multiplicativity".

"Deciding between giving a hotelier a fish or a fishing rod, we decided to give them a fishing rod. And I believe many smaller companies will make an awfully big effort to be competitive with those who might be just waiting [for tourists] because they are located at well-known destinations or are better known already."

Tourist vouchers will be available between 19 June and 31 December, and FURS will have until the end of January 2021 to pay all the voucher-based bills.

They are one of the main measures from the third coronavirus stimulus package, passed at the end of May, and are estimated to cost the state EUR 345 million.

STA, 8 June 2020 - The government has specified the use of tourist vouchers (turistični boni), with which it wants to help the tourism industry survive the coronavirus crisis, deciding that a voucher could be used in several instalments, not necessarily all at once, as initially planned.

The decree on the use of tourist vouchers was adopted at a correspondence session on Monday, and will be presented to the press in more detail on Tuesday, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology said in a press release.

Tourist vouchers are one of the main measures from the third coronavirus stimulus package, passed at the end of May. They are estimated to cost the state EUR 345 million.

Every permanent resident of Slovenia will receive EUR 200 to spend on bed and breakfast or only on bed in Slovenia until the end of 2020, with minors getting only EUR 50.

The vouchers will be entered as a credit of a permanent resident into the Financial Administration's (FURS) IT system and every resident eligible for it will receive an e-mail about it.

Under the decree adopted today, a tourist would tell a tourist facility upon registration that they would pay with the voucher.

The tourism company would then enter their data into FURS's IT system eDavki and the receive the payment of the service from FURS.

Voucher holders will however not be able to get cash for the voucher.

Sometime in the next week or so every adult and foreigner with permanent residency in Slovenia will be eligible for a €200 tourism voucher (turistični boni), and every child one worth €50, as a way to kickstart the summer season, when the industry will be relying on domestic tourists more heavily than usual. The “vouchers” can be used to pay for accommodation, and will be claimed by giving your Slovenian tax number to the provider (at least for the adults – it’s unclear, as yet, how the children will get theirs).

The money can be used at any businesses registered under the following categories:

- 55.100 - Hotels and other similar accommodation

- 55.201 - Holiday homes and resorts

- 55,202 - Tourist farms with rooms

- 55.203 - Renting private rooms to guests

- 55.204 - Mountain lodges and youth hostels

- 55,209 - Other short-term accommodation

- 55.300 - Camping activities

It’s in this context we’re presenting the following five properties in Soča, Bled, Bohinj and Kranjska gora - the home of holiday homes in Slovenia - all of which are on the books of Slovenia Estates and available for short-term rental as part of the scheme, and all of which come with an additional 10% discount for all weekly reservations made by end of June for all stays in June, July and August.

So take a look at the five properties below, two photos for each, click through to see more of the stylish interiors, learn more about the location, and start planning your next vacation.

Gorgeous, luxury renovated house, Bohinj: Four bedrooms, sleeps up to 7

See more of this property here

Two quiet houses by the river - Bohinj: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 7

See more of this property here

Fabulous renovated luxury house, Soča: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6

See more of this property here

Sweet renovated cottage in Bohinjska Bela, Bled: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6

See more of this property here

Wonderful chalet close to Kranjska Gora: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 7

See more of this property here

If you'd like to see some other properties around Slovenia, available for sale or rent, in various locations and for various budgets, check out our real estate page

STA, 2 June 2020 - Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc has announced that the government will adopt rules for the use of the long-awaited tourism vouchers this week, and that the system is expected to be up and running not later than at the start of summer school break in any case.

Speaking on an afternoon show at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, Zajc said that how quickly the system was set up depended on the Financial Administration (FURS).

Aimed at helping the Slovenian tourism sector recover from the coronavirus epidemic, the vouchers are part of the latest legislative package.

Minors are set to get EUR 50 vouchers and adults EUR 200 vouchers in electronic form, which may be used to pay for accommodation and breakfast in hotels, self-catering units, camps, agritourism farms and other similar facilities.

It is FURS which will reimburse the provider's the costs, while vouchers will have to be spent in their entire sum at once, and not later than on 31 December.

The state secretary said that details regarding the vouchers would be determined in a government decree, which is expected to be adopted as early as this week.

"Then it is up to FURS to set up the system. We would like to see and we encourage FURS to do this as soon as possible, but in no case will this happen later than at the start of school holidays," Zajc added.

The last day of school for primary school children is 24 June.

The measure will cost the state EUR 345 million, and visitors who cash in their vouchers are expected to spend an additional EUR 172 million for services they will not be able to cover with them.