The eUprava (eGovernment) state portal is the central state portal with e-services for the citizens of Slovenia. The eUprava portal (https://e-uprava.gov.si) includes many useful information and descriptions of procedures which citizen encounter in their everyday lives. Information on procedures are collected in different comprehensive areas that accompany important events in the life of an individual, from birth to schooling, employment and retirement. Individual services are described in an easy to understand and transparent way in order to lead the individual through the procedures that must be performed by one or more public administration authorities. If possible, a form or a possibility of electronic execution of the procedure follows the description. Registered users of the portal can electronically submit applications and gain insight into their personal data kept by various state bodies. Citizens can use the e-services at home and consequently do not have to visit state authorities.

Login to the portal or to Moja eUprava (My eGovernment) enables more insight into data, monitoring the status of submitted applications as well as subscribing to notification of important events and notifications of personal document expiration dates.

Most of the content is intended for general public, i.e. all citizens regardless of age, while some of it is of particular interest to senior users. Among them, we would like to highlight:

• Insight into data on an individual's own real estate
• Subscribing to notifications of personal document expiration dates
• Insight into the number of driving offence penalty points

Other content of the eUprava portal includes:

• Event announcement – annual calendar (https://e-uprava.gov.si/aktualno/napovednik.html)
• Personal supplementary work vouchers (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/delo-upokojitev/delo/osebno-dopolnilno-delo.html)
• Status of guardian of preschool children at home (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/druzina-otroci-zakonska-zveza/vrtci-varovanje-otrok/status-varuha-predsolskih-otrok-na-domu.html)
• Personal documents, digital certificate (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/osebni-dokumenti-potrdila-selitev/osebni-dokumenti.html)
• Retirement (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/delo-upokojitev/upokojitev.html)
• Booking health services  (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/sociala-zdravje-smrt/zdravje/narocanje-na-zdravstvene-storitve.html)
• Associations, events, public gatherings  (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/drzava-druzba/drustva-javne-prireditve.html)
• Current events and gatherings (https://e-uprava.gov.si/aktualno/prireditve-in-shodi)
• Guides (https://e-uprava.gov.si/pomoc-kontakt/vodici.html)
• eDemocracy (https://e-uprava.gov.si/drzava-in-druzba/e-demokracija.html)

The portal includes adaptations for people with special needs – blind and partially sighted users, users with dyslexia, deaf and hearing impaired users. To meet these requirements, the project team worked with the Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clubs Association of Slovenia.

As Slovenia has two recognized national minorities, the portal is also adapted to them. Some of the general information and services, depending on the arrangement and importance within the minority, are translated into Italian and Hungarian.

The portal is also adapted for use on mobile devices.

Additional information:

Tatjana Mizori Zupan, MSc & Alenka Koporc, MSc
Address: Ministrstvo za javno upravo, Tržaška 21, 1000 Ljubljana
Website: http://www.mju.gov.si
Phone: 01 478 83 30
E-mail: gp.mju@gov.si

The Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia is the holder and provider of compulsory health insurance in the Republic of Slovenia. It has the status of a public institution. With a seat in Ljubljana, it operates at 10 regional units and 45 branch offices throughout the country.

The principal mission of ZZZS is to utilize the collected funds to enable insured persons quality rights and equal access to health care services and other rights arising from compulsory health insurance.

Compulsory health insurance is provided in accordance with the principles of social justice and solidarity between the healthy and the sick, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. Payment of the contribution is tied to the source that provides basic social security to the insured individual (employment, pension, self-employment, disability allowance, own resources, social assistance).

Individuals can check the status of their compulsory and supplementary health insurance on the website https://zavarovanec.zzzs.si/wps/portal/portali/azos/e_storitve_zzzs/status_zavarovanja or via mobile phone by sending an SMS to 031 771 009 with the following content: ZZ and the ZZZS number written on the health insurance card (e.g. if your ZZZS number is 032822732, send an SMS containing ZZ032822732).

When exercising the rights from the compulsory health insurance, it is necessary to present a health insurance card. The card is received for free when you first arrange the compulsory health care insurance. Only in exceptional cases, concerning emergency treatment and emergency medical care, medical services can be claimed without a health insurance card. The doctor performing the medical service assesses the urgency of health services.

In case of a lost or damaged card or in case the visual data on it should be changed (e.g. surname), a new card can be ordered in person at ZZZS or electronically via the website https://zavarovanec.zzzs.si/wps/portal/portali/azos/e_storitve_zzzs/narocanje_kzz.

Additional information about the health insurance card is provided by the office for health insurance cards via e-mail kzz_sluzba@zzzs.si or phone: 01 307 7466 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 am to 3 pm and Wednesday from 7 am to 5 pm).

The funds for the compulsory health insurance are collected through the payment of compulsory contributions. The compulsory health insurance rights include the right to health services and certain financial benefits (sick pay during temporary absence from work, reimbursement of travel expenses).

The rights to health services include services of primary health care, dental care, medical services in certain social institutions, services in specialist outpatient clinics, hospitals and tertiary activities. The rights to health services also include to right to treatment in health resorts, rehabilitation, transport by ambulance and other vehicles, treatments abroad, the rights to medicine or foods for special medical purposes, and medical devices.

A list of doctors that an insured person can choose as their personal family physician (general practitioner, dentist and gynaecologist) is published on the website https://zavarovanec.zzzs.si/wps/portal/portali/azos/ioz/

A site search function for finding all health care providers that have a contract with ZZZS is available at: http://www.zzzs.si/Izvajalci

Compulsory health insurance rights and the manner of their enforcement are specified in The Rules of Compulsory Health Insurance: http://www.zzzs.si/ZZZS/info/egradiva.nsf/o/5580D0555F5A1FEAC1256CFB003BB45C.

General information on individual rights arising from compulsory health insurance can be found at: https://zavarovanec.zzzs.si.

Foreigners that are not included in the health insurance in the Republic of Slovenia have the right to emergency or necessary health services. The payment for those is provided in accordance with the European law, international agreements or from the state budget.

During a temporary stay abroad (on a private basis or on a business trip, while working abroad, during professional education or study abroad), an insured person has the rights to emergency or necessary health services. Rights to health services abroad can be claimed with a European health insurance card, which is valid in the EU and EEA Member States and Switzerland, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. The rights apply to doctors and medical institutions that are part of the public, state health care networks.

In other countries that are not subject to the European law or that have not concluded an interstate agreement on social insurance, an insured person has the right to emergency medical services, however they must pay for them and submit a request for cost reimbursement to ZZZS after they return home. If the case is justified, a reimbursement in the amount of the average price of such health service in the Republic of Slovenia shall be made.

The European Health Insurance Card can be ordered at this website: https://www.zzzs.si or via mobile phone by sending an SMS to 031 771 009 with the following content: EUKZZ and the ZZZS number written on the health insurance card (e.g. if your ZZZS number is 032822732, send an SMS containing EUKZZ 032822732). The card can also be ordered in person at regional units and branches of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia.

The National Contact Point for Cross-border Healthcare provides additional information on health care abroad and can be reached by e-mail kontakt@nkt-z.si or by phone: 01 307 72 22 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 09 am to 12 and 1 pm to 3 pm, Wednesday from 9 am to 12 and from 1 pm to 4 pm and Friday from 9 am to 1 pm).

Medicine and foods for special medical purposes that can be prescribed with a green prescription form at the expense of the compulsory health insurance are classified on the allowed or partially allowed lists. Unclassified medicines are not covered by the health insurance and must be paid for entirely by the individual. These medicines are prescribed with a white prescription form.

Information on medicines and possible surcharges for the prescribed medicine as well as the information on medicines available at no extra charge can be obtained from the central database of medicines: http://www.cbz.si/cbz/bazazdr2.nsf/Search/$searchForm?SearchView.

Medical devices are the means needed for treatment or medical rehabilitation. A list of medical device suppliers in the Republic of Slovenia is published at: https://zavarovanec.zzzs.si/wps/portal/portali/azos/mtp/mp_seznam_dobaviteljev/.

Additional information:

Address: Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije,
Direkcija, Miklošičeva cesta 24, 1507 Ljubljana,
Phone: 01 307 72 00
Website: www.zzzs.si
E-naslov: DI@ZZZS.SI
Phone numbers and e-mails of all regional units and branches: https://www.zzzs.si/zzzs/imenik.nsf/fs/imenik?open

The basic mission of the National Institute of Public Health is the planning, implementation and coordination of activities in the field of protecting and improving the health and life quality of inhabitants as well as identifying the causes and prevalence of health problems and planning and implementing effective measures for their limitation.

The key goal of NIJZ is to improve the health of individuals and communities and to reduce health inequalities.

The foundations of public health activities of the NIJZ and its regional units:

• Knowledge of the health status of the population and population groups and health relevant data (collection and monitoring, research)
• Identification of (new) risks and protective health factors
• Identifying the needs of population groups, especially vulnerable groups
• Development, testing, implementation and evaluation of programs (as well as approaches and tools) for health promotion, prevention and early detection of diseases
• Management and coordination of programs at national, regional and local levels
• Crosssectoral, interdisciplinary action (health in all policies)
• Implementing health promotion as the broadest approach to public health
• Empowering individuals and communities to maintain and promote their health

At regional unit Ravne na Koroškem we are trying to maintain a specific preventive activity in the region where we cover 12 municipalities. Preventive activities are implemented in the shape of health and ecological activities (living with lead…), and monitoring and control of infectious diseases (guidelines for professionals, parents, kindergartens, schools…), including the operation of a vaccination clinic (vaccinations against influenza, rabies, tick-borne meningoencephalitis, vaccinations for international travel, and vaccinations against specific diseases). In addition, our activities include coordinating health education, development and implementation of prevention programs (Svit, Zora, Dora), and promotion of healthy lifestyle and active aging at the regional level. We also coordinate a network of healthy schools and the Health in Kindergarten program as well as monitor the provision of meals in educational institutions.

We are present at municipal events, we perform or organize lectures and workshops for both professional and general public, work with local communities, work organizations, health associations and other government and non-government organizations, organize professional conferences and prevention campaigns.

Additional information:

Address: Nacionalni inštitut za javno zdravje,
Območna enota Ravne na Koroškem,
Ob Suhi 5b, 2390 Ravne na Koroškem
Phone: 02 870 5619
Website: http://www.nijz.si
E-mail: Neda.Hudopisk@NIJZ.si

Employment Service of Slovenia – ZRSZ is one of the key institutions in the Slovenian labour market. It is an independent legal entity with the status of a public institution. It is based in Ljubljana but operates uniformly throughout the country. It has 12 regional services, 58 employment offices, 12 career centres, more than 30 career corners for jobseekers and 12 offices for employers.

The activities of ZRSZ are mainly aimed at helping the unemployed and other jobseekers find employment as well as helping employers obtain candidates for employment. For this purpose, the ZRSZ provides employment counselling and job broking (also within the European EURES network), lifelong career guidance (career development), active employment policy programs (training and education, public works and employment incentives), unemployment benefits, unemployment insurance, employment and work of foreigners, preparation of analytical and other professional materials and labour market information.

Older citizens who have lost their jobs can register at the Employment Service and claim their right to unemployment benefit. They can also do this online at the PoiščiDelo.si portal where they must first complete a registration. Personal counsellors provide users with employment counselling (referrals to employers and job broking), whereby their communication can also partially take place at the PoiščiDelo.si portal. It is recommended that older citizens also regularly check available jobs by themselves on the web and mobile sites.

They can also seek advice on further career development (until they meet the conditions for retirement). The eCounselling (eSvetovanje) website offers a range of tools for independent career management (including questionnaires for identifying and assessing personality traits, skills and values, prevailing professional interests and attitude to work). At the same time, they can gain a lot of useful information and guidelines for successful job searching. The mentioned information are also available in printed publications. They can decide to which extent it makes sense for them to deepen their knowledge and experience concerning the professional needs of employers. The user-friendly computer program Where and how (Kam in kako) can offer support in that area.

Older unemployed can improve and develop their job searching skills by attending interesting workshops in career centres across Slovenia. Their offer can be found if you search among the events on the web and mobile pages of the institution. There you can also overview all of the active employment policy programs. Older citizens can also join all programs if they meet the condition for inclusion (especially pro-grams intended exclusively for seniors).

Active employment policy programs enable older citizens to participate in non-formal education and training to gain knowledge and skills demanded by employers. Among them are also improving com-puter literacy and computer use in certain professional fields. As revealed by the economic situation, staff shortages are becoming an increasingly important limiting factor for business operations. Furthermore, a declining number of working population and a growing population of senior citizens dictate the need to actively involve older people who represent an indispensable human potential.

Additional information:

Address: Zavod Republike Slovenije za zaposlovanje – ZRSZ
Rožna dolina, cesta IX/6, 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: 080 20 55 (brezplačno)
Website: www.ess.gov.si
E-mail: kontaktni.center@ess.gov.si
Mobilna spletna stran: http://m.ess.gov.si
Portal for job seekers: www.poiscidelo.si
eSvetovanje website: https://esvetovanje.ess.gov.si
Facebook: www.facebook.com/zavodRSzazaposlovanje
You Tube: www.youtube.com/user/ZavodZaZaposlovanje
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zrsz-ess-info-point

In every country, there must be an institution that monitors the exercising of individual's rights regarding their personal data (e.g. property data, tax data, banking data, health data, status data and video, audio and photographic recordings, etc.) and the compliance with the prescribed obligations of data controllers. In Slovenia, this is the responsibility of a special state organ – the information commissioner.

If a personal data controller (e.g. ZPIZ, bank, insurance, mobile opera-tor, police, association, health institution, municipality etc.) is using personal data for a purpose which it has no legal basis for or it has not obtained the individual's consent (e.g. sending personal data to an unauthorized person or intentionally destroying important data, etc.), the controller's actions can be put under inspection. The same applies if the controller does not ensure sufficient security of personal data that it otherwise legally manages (e.g. due to inadequate compu-ter protection personal data is available to unauthorized persons or personal data may change in such a way that it is no longer usable for the purpose which they are managed for). The introduction of such control often occurs if the Information Commissioner receives a report of alleged unlawful management of personal data. An inspection report can also be submitted using the form that is available on the Information Commissioner's website.

Individuals also have certain special rights that are exercised on their request (such as the request to access their own personal data or their own medical records, the request for deletion of personal data that is being kept without a legal basis, an objection to the use of data for marketing purposes, correction or supplementation of inaccurate or incomplete data). If the data controller rejects such a request or does not respond, the individual may file a complaint with the Information Commissioner, who decides in an appeal whether the controller should comply with the individual's request or not. Sample forms for request and complaints (separately for patient's rights) are available on the Information Commissioner's website.

In case of any questions or dilemmas about personal data protection (e.g. whether and under what conditions certain conduct is permissible), the Information Commissioner offers advice by phone or in writing in the form of short written opinions. As part of the advisory function, a brochure “You decide on your data” (Vi odločate o svojih podatkih) was prepared especially for senior citizens.

It presents various everyday activities in a simple and concrete way (e.g. healthcare, direct marketing, shopping, visiting a bank or an insurance company, using the internet, Covid-19 epidemic) and related rights that concern an individual's personal data. The brochure thus contains many practical tips for enforcing these rights as well as several simplified basic rules that can make it easier for an individual to deal with large data controllers.

The Information Commissioner also has the power of resolving complaints if a public sector body (such as public institutions, municipalities, state bodies) refuses the request of an individual to access public documents (e.g. documents that disclose the use of public funds). On the Information Commissioner's website you can find numerous published decisions that showcase examples of claiming the right to access public information. The website also contains forms that can be used to exercise this right.

The presentation above was prepared by the Information Commissioner under the iDecide project, which is funded by European Union under the Justice, Equality and Citizenship Program 2014–2020.

Additional information:

Address: Republika Slovenija, Informacijski pooblaščenec
Dunajska 22, 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: 01 230 97 30
Website: www.ip-rs.si
Main office e-mail: gp.ip@ip-rs.si

The Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia (Zavod za pokojninsko in invalidsko zavarovanje, ZPIZ) is the sole holder and executor of the compulsory pension and disability insurance based on intergenerational solidarity in the Republic of Slovenia. It is also one of the most crucial holders of social security in our society and as such an important institution in the lives of many citizens, among them seniors, persons from vulnerable groups and persons with different types of disabilities. In one way or another, the institution's diverse activities concern every resident of the Republic of Slovenia.

ZPIZ has the status of a public institution and implements the unified compulsory pension and disability insurance in the area of the entire Republic of Slovenia. With headquarters in Ljubljana, it also operates at nine regional units and four branch offices.

As the holder and provider of compulsory insurance, this institution:

• Advises insured individuals and resolves claims for enforcement and protection of rights arising from the compulsory pension and disability insurance
• Organizes and keeps the register of insured individuals and beneficiaries
• Pays pensions and other monetary benefits
• Implements and determines the liabilities of the Republic of Slovenia concerning the pension and disability insurance
• Performs the obligations and tasks of a penal authority in the field of personal records of insured individuals
• Provides compulsory insurance under international agreements on social security and EU regulations
• Performs a number of other tasks and responsibilities

To enforce rights and perform the above-mentioned activities, ZPIZ provides efficient e-services. Special attention is dedicated to e-services for people over 55 as ZPIZ strives to be an age-friendly organization.

General information on individual rights from the compulsory pension insurance are available at www.zpiz.si

When searching for information on the website, you can also use the ZPIZ Digital Assistant. It was introduced in 2000 and answers around 1000 questions daily.

In 2020, ZPIZ developed new digital services that enable the users to simply submit e-applications and download documents online without a digital certificate. The eApplications for everyone (eVloge za VSE) service enables individuals to submit applications for many services. Similarly, you can also download documents prepared for you by ZPIZ without the use of a digital certificate. Before you can access the document, you will receive a phone call by a consultant that will confirm you identity. The new digital services were designed with senior users in mind. Our customers readily accepted the new possibilities as the use of e-applications has greatly increased since the introduction of the new service.

In 2021, ZPIZ published two new e-services on their website: general and personal informative pension calculators. Without previous registration in the information system of the institution, the informative pension calculator can perform a simple process of simulating the informative calculation of the estimated date of meeting the requirements for old-age or early retirement according to applicable law. Based on manually entered data, users can also obtain information on the amount of the expected pension.

Using the personal informative pension calculator, you can obtain an automatic informative calculation of the estimated date of meeting the requirements for old-age or early retirement and the expected amount of pension. In this instance, the calculation is based on your personal data that is collected in the registry of insured individuals. Due to personal data protection, the personal pension calculator requires a registration on the My eZPIZ (Moj eZPIZ) portal which is possible with a qualified digital certificate or SI-PASS account.

My eZPIZ is a portal intended for secure access to eZPIZ electronic services for insured persons and pensioners. The use of eZPIZ services is free, secure and easy. Data security and confidentiality are ensured by the use of modern technologies. Electronic applications have the same legal validity as application submitted in paper form.

To log in or register on the My eZPIZ portal, you need a qualified digital certificate or SI-PASS account. Registration is also possible for citizens of EU Member States.

The following services are available on the My eZPIZ portal:

• General informative pension calculator – it enables you to perform an informative calculation of the date of fulfilling the conditions for claiming the right to old-age or early retirement and the amount of pension, based on the data you manually enter in the calculator. For the use of this service, registration is not required.
• Personal informative pension calculator – it enables you to perform an informative calculation of the date of fulfilling the conditions for claiming the right to old-age or early retirement and the amount of pension, based on your personal data recorded in the information system of the institution that affect the recognition and assessment of rights from the pension and disability insurance. This service is only available to registered users.
• Electronic filling and submission of applications – the eVloge service enables you to fill out and submit applications with real-time verification of data adequacy and a digital signature. This service is only available to registered users.
• The Case Status (Stanje zadeve) allows you to check the status of the case regardless of the method of submitting the applications. This service is also available via automatic answering machine. This service is only available to registered users.
• Transfers (Nakazila) allows you to view your information on ZPIZ transfers. This service is also available via automatic answering machine. This service is only available to registered users.
• Informative Personal Records (Informativna osebna evidence) gives insight into the information on insurance periods, salaries and allowances that are recorded in the ZPIZ information system and that affect your rights to pension and disability insurance. If you find the record is incomplete, you can submit an e-application to request completion. This service is only available to registered users.
• eInbox (ePredal) is essentially your e-mail inbox in the ZPIZ portal that allows you to receive original documents prepared for you by ZPIZ. You receive decisions and other documents as soon as they are ready. To use this service, fill out and submit the appropriate eApplication. This service is only available to registered users.

Within the eZPIZ services, ZPIZ also offers services via an integrated automatic answering machine.

The eZPIZ telephone services can be accessed via integrated automatic answering machine:

• 01 4745 100 or on direct phone numbers
• 01 4745 999 (Case Status) and
• 01 4547 998 (Transfers)

If you require help using eZPIZ services, send an e-mail to ezpizpodpora@zpiz.si or call 01 4745 909.

The information available online can also be acquired by phone, in our contact centre where you will be advised by our qualified counsellors. Contact centres are organized by content areas:

• 01 4745 100 – Automatic answering machine
• 01 4745 901 – Information on deductions from payments provided by the institute
• 01 4745 902 – Other information on payments provided by the institute
• 01 4745 903 – Information on pension claims
• 01 4745 904 – Information on disability claims
• 01 4745 905 – Information on international insurance claims
• 01 4745 906 – Information on providing data on i-REK and M4 forms
• 01 4745 907 – Information on outstanding contribution notice
• 01 4745 908 – Information on insurance records, pension bases and contributions
• 01 4745 909 – Customer support for eZPIZ and BiZPIZ online services
• 01 4745 910 – Other information

Information can also be obtained by email at informacije@zpiz.si or in person if you visit one of our units – depending on epidemiological conditions and related measures, various restrictions may be set in place, so we would advise you to first use our wide range of electronic service or opt to obtain the information via telephone.

In 2020, ZPIZ further increased the accessibility of the website content to vulnerable user groups, many of whom are older citizens. They prepared renewed video content in Slovenian sign language, audio recordings and subtitles, along with several other additions aimed at making the content even more accessible. Since December 2020, the renewed website of the institute is also available in English, German, Italian and Hungarian.

The Slovenian cross-border e-initivate comprises the following members: Marijan Papež, general manager, Edmond Pajk, deputy general manager and director of the information technology division, and Domen Dolar head of application department.

Additional information

Address: Zavod za pokojninsko in invalidsko zavarovanje Slovenije
Phone: 01/ 47 45 100
Website: www.zpiz.si
E-mail: informacije@zpiz.si