Checklist for Debt Collection in Slovenia

The general limitation period is 5 years.

Special limitation periods:

• 3 years (for claims arising from commercial contracts, periodic/recurring claims, lease claims, and claims arising from insurance contracts);
• 1 year (for claims relating to services such as electricity, gas, water, etc.; in this case, the limitation period starts to run only after the end of the year in which the claim became due for payment);
• 10 years (for claims that have been established by a final court decision or by a decision of another competent authority).

The limitation period is interrupted:

• when the debtor acknowledges the debt;
• by filing a lawsuit and by any other action taken by the creditor against the debtor before a court or other competent authority to establish, secure, or collect the claim.

In Slovenia, a lawyer’s letter or reminder is not a prerequisite for initiating enforcement proceedings, but it is recommended.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the district court has jurisdiction over enforcement. 

The court system is currently being reorganised, and district and county courts will be merged.

Documents Needed for a Debt Collection Lawsuit

To file an application for enforcement, the creditor needs: 

• information about the debtor; 
• an authentic document (e.g. an invoice) or an enforceable instrument (e.g. a judgment, a directly enforceable notarial deed); and 
• information about the debtor’s assets (e.g. the debtor’s transaction account, real estate, etc.).

On average, enforcement proceedings before a district court take about 13 months. Simplified proceedings based on an invoice take approximately 1 month (provided that there is no objection by the debtor).

A court fee must be paid when the application is filed. The initial fee is EUR 44. In the event of an objection by the debtor, or in the case of collateral other than funds in a Slovenian transaction account, additional costs are incurred (court fees, expert costs, etc.).

Certain types of assets may not be subjected to enforcement proceedings. In addition, enforcement over real estate is governed by specific rules and procedures.

As of 1 January 2026, the prescribed statutory default interest rate is 10.15% per annum.