Where to seek help in Slovenia as a refugee or an asylum seeker?
If you are an asylum seeker, refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection, you do not have to face challenges on your own.
In Slovenia, both government authorities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) provide information, advice and practical support.
On this page, you can find organisations that may be able to help you, depending on your needs.
ℹ️ Please note that organisations may not be able to provide an interpreter immediately. If an interpreter is needed, they will try to arrange one as soon as possible.
⚠️ Important
If you need immediate help in an emergency, contact the emergency services by calling 112.
The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants (GOSIM/UOIM) is responsible for providing reception and integration support to asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection in Slovenia.
Depending on your situation, GOSIM/UOIM can provide information about:
- asylum procedures;
- reception and accommodation;
- integration support;
- healthcare;
- education;
- employment;
- family reunification; and
- other rights and services available in Slovenia.
GOSIM/UOIM also manages Infotujci, the official government website for foreigners in Slovenia.
The website provides practical information in several languages about:
- international protection;
- temporary protection;
- residence and permits;
- integration;
- healthcare;
- education;
- employment;
- family reunification; and
- many other topics related to living in Slovenia.
If you have been granted international protection in Slovenia, you can receive support to help you settle in Slovenia and become more independent.
The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants (GOSIM/UOIM) provides integration support. You can also receive support from organisations that provide different integration services and activities.
Zavod Mravljica (Mravljica Institute)
Zavod Mravljica provides practical support to people with international protection and their family members.
They can help you:
- find accommodation and settle into your new home;
- understand and arrange documents and public services;
- access healthcare;
- look for work and prepare job applications;
- access education;
- communicate with public institutions; and
- take part in integration activities.
They also provide mentoring and support to families, young people and children.
Contact Zavod Mravljica
- Address: Kotnikova ulica 28, 1000 Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 31 401 575
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Zavod Mravljica
Zavod Pandorina pot (Pandorina pot Institute)
Zavod Pandorina pot provides activities that can help people with international protection and their family members take part in their local community.
They offer activities that can help you:
- meet other people;
- take part in sports and cultural activities;
- build social connections; and
- take part in your local community.
Contact Zavod Pandorina pot
- Phone: 041 625 446
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Pandorina pot
Slovenska filantropija (Slovene Philanthropy)
Slovenska filantropija provides information, advice and support to migrants, including people with international protection.
They can help you with:
- information and advice about life in Slovenia;
- integration and social inclusion;
- support for children and young people;
- activities that help you meet other people and build social connections; and
- other questions related to settling in Slovenia.
Slovenska filantropija also runs day centres for migrants in Ljubljana, Maribor and Logatec. You can visit the centres to get information and advice, meet other people and take part in activities.
Dnevni centri za migrante – opening hours
- Ljubljana: Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00
- Maribor: Monday-Friday, 10:00–18:00
- Logatec: Monday–Wednesday, 10:00–18:00; Thursday–Friday, 8:00–16:00
Contact Slovenska filantropija
- Address: Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11, 1000 Ljubljana
- Phone: 01 430 12 88
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Slovenska filantropija
💡 Tip: Services and opening hours
The services offered by organisations may change over time and may depend on your location and individual situation.
Ask the organisation what support is currently available and whether you need to make an appointment.
💡 Tip: Website languages
Not all organisations’ websites are available in English. Where an English version is available, you can select it on the organisation’s website. If information is only available in Slovenian, you can ask the organisation whether they can provide information in another language.
Emergency phone numbers in Slovenia
In an emergency, you can call these numbers:
- Police: 113
- Medical emergency (ambulance): 112
- Fire department: 112
- Missing child helpline: 116 000
Free legal help during the asylum procedure
At the first stage of the asylum procedure, you can get free legal help from:
PIC – Legal Centre for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
They can help you:
- understand the asylum procedure in Slovenia;
- prepare and submit your application; and
- receive free legal representation.
Contact PIC
- Address: Metelkova 6, 1000 Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 521 18 88 / +386 51 681 181 / +386 069 707 150
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: pic.si (Slovenian)
Help with family reunification and restoring family links
If you want to reunite with your family, several organisations can provide information, legal advice or practical support.
The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for deciding on applications for family reunification.
Who can help you?
- Slovenian Red Cross: restoring contact with family members and family tracing
- PIC – Legal Centre for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment: free legal information and assistance
- Slovene Philanthropy: information and practical support
- IOM Slovenia: assistance with organising travel after family reunification has been approved
Contact Slovenian Red Cross
- Address: Mirje 19, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 24 14 300
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Rdeči križ Slovenije
Contact PIC
- Address: Metelkova 6, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 521 18 88 / +386 51 681 181
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: pic.si
Contact Slovene Philanthropy
- Address: Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 430 12 88
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: filantropija.org
Contact IOM Slovenia
- Address: Dunajska cesta 5, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 434 73 51 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–16:00)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:
iom.int
More information
For detailed information about the family reunification procedure, visit the ➡️Family reunification page.
Free psychosocial support
You can receive free psychosocial support from organisations that support asylum seekers, refugees and people experiencing violence.
Zavod EMMA
They can help you if you:
- have experienced violence, including gender-based violence; or
- need psychosocial support.
Contact Zavod EMMA
- Free helpline: 080 21 33
- Phone: +386 1 425 47 32
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: zavod-emma.si
Slovenska filantropija
They can help you with:
- information and advice;
- integration support;
- social support; and
- activities that help you connect with other people.
Contact Slovenska filantropija
- Address: Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 430 12 88
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:filantropija.org
SOS Helpline for women and children
The SOS Helpline provides free and confidential support to women and children experiencing violence.
They can help you:
- talk about your situation;
- understand your options and rights; and
- find information about available support and services.
Contact SOS Helpline
- Free helpline: 080 11 55
- Languages: SI, EN, HR, BS, SR, AL
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: drustvo-sos.si
DNK – Association for Nonviolent Communication
DNK provides free counselling and support to people who have experienced violence. It also provides support to people who use violence and want to change their behaviour.
Contact DNK
- Ljubljana – Phone: +386 1 434 48 22 / +386 31 770 120
- Koper – Phone: +386 5 639 39 170 / +386 31 546 098
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: drustvo-dnk.si
Help if you may be a victim of trafficking in human beings
If you think you may be a victim of trafficking in human beings, you can get free information, support and, where available, safe accommodation.
Slovenska karitas
They can provide:
- crisis accommodation; and
- safe accommodation.
Contact Slovenska karitas
- Address: Kristanova ulica 1, Ljubljana
- Helpline: +386 1 300 59 62
- Emergency: +386 31 470 151 (in Slovenian and English)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Slovenska karitas
Društvo Ključ (Ključ Association – Centre for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings)
They can provide:
- safe accommodation;
- psychosocial support; and
- support with reintegration.
Contact Društvo Ključ
- Free helpline: 080 17 22 (Slovenian)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: drustvo-kljuc.si
Slovenska filantropija (Slovene Philanthropy)
They can provide:
- information about the risks of trafficking in human beings; and
- counselling and support.
Contact Slovenska filantropija
- Address: Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 430 12 88
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: filantropija.org
More information
You can find more information about trafficking in human beings on the official GOV.SI website:
➡️ Trafficking in human beings | GOV.SI (available in Slovenian and English)
If you feel distressed, unsafe, or need help, you are not alone.
You can ask for help from staff in the asylum centre or seek support with non-governmental organisations.
Slovenska filantropija (Slovene Philanthropy)
- Advice and information
- Support and referrals
Contact:
- Address: Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 430 12 88
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: filantropija.org
Zavod Emma (Emma Institute – Centre for Victims of Violence)
- Mental health support
- Psychosocial support
Contact:
- Free helpline: 080 21 33
- Phone: +386 1 425 47 32
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:zavod-emma.si
TOM Telefon – Helpline for Children and Youth
You can call to talk to someone and get support.
Contact:
- Phone: 116 111 (Slovenian, English)
- Website: e-tom.si
If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual, or questioning your sexual orientation or gender identity, you can get information, advice and support in Slovenia.
Legebitra
Legebitra provides:
- information and counselling; and
- support for LGBTIQ+ people.
Contact Legebitra
- Address: Trubarjeva 76a, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 430 51 44
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: legebitra.si
SQVOT Living Room – Safe Space
SQVOT Living Room is a safe space where LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers can meet other people and receive support.
Opening hours:
Every Tuesday, 15:00–17:00
Location:
Ljubljana Pride Association, Dunajska 10, Ljubljana
Contact SQVOT Living Room
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:Ljubljana Pride Association
💡 Tip
Opening hours and available services may change. Check the organisation’s website or contact them before visiting.
Support with work, human rights and other issues
If you need help with work, employment rights, discrimination, human rights or other legal issues, the organisations below may be able to help you.
Delavska svetovalnica (Counselling Office for Workers)
They can help you with:
- employment rights;
- work contracts; and
- problems at work.
Contact Delavska svetovalnica
- Address: Dalmatinova 4, Ljubljana
- Free helpline: 01 43 41 293 / 080 14 34 (in Slovenian, English, Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:delavskasvetovalnica.si
Amnesty International Slovenia
They can provide support and information about:
- human rights violations; and
- discrimination.
Contact Amnesty International Slovenia
- Address: Dunajska cesta 5, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 426 93 77
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: amnesty.si
PIC – Legal Centre for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
PIC can help you with:
- legal procedures; and
- human rights issues.
Contact PIC
- Address: Metelkova 6, Ljubljana
- Phone: +386 1 521 18 88 / +386 51 681 181
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:pic.si
💡 Tip
The organisations listed on this page provide different types of support. If you are not sure which organisation can help you, you can ask your integration counsellor or another organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers for guidance.
Related information
