What is the Currency in Slovenia?

What is the Currency in Slovenia?

If you're planning to visit Slovenia—famous for its alpine lakes, green valleys, and charming capital Ljubljana—it's important to understand how money works while you're there. This guide is for UK travellers and outlines the official currency of Slovenia, how it’s used, and how best to manage your finances during your trip.

What currency does Slovenia use?

Slovenia uses the euro, abbreviated as EUR and symbolised by €. It has been the official currency since 2007, when Slovenia joined the Eurozone. All goods and services—whether you're buying a train ticket, dining out, or paying for accommodation—are priced and paid for in euros.

How is the euro structured?

The euro is divided into 100 cents, similar to the UK’s pounds and pence system. Banknotes include:

• €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500

Coins include:

• 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and €1 and €2

At the time of writing, £1 is worth around €1.15, though this fluctuates with exchange rates. It’s a good idea to check live conversion rates before exchanging or withdrawing money.

Can you use British pounds in Slovenia?

No. British pounds are not accepted in Slovenia. The euro is the only legal tender, and all transactions must be made in euros. If you bring pounds with you, you'll need to exchange them for euros at a bank or exchange bureau.

Should you bring cash or use a card in Slovenia?

Slovenia is card-friendly, particularly in urban areas like Ljubljana and popular tourist destinations such as Lake Bled or Piran. Most hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and petrol stations accept major debit and credit cards, and contactless payments are widely supported.

However, some smaller businesses, especially in rural areas or local markets, may prefer or only accept cash. It's wise to carry some euros for these situations, including for public transport or tipping.

UK travellers are advised to use a fee-free travel card such as Monzo, Starling or Revolut to avoid foreign transaction fees when using cards abroad.

Where to exchange money

You can exchange currency before leaving the UK, but rates may be better in Slovenia. Banks and authorised exchange offices offer competitive rates, but avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist kiosks, where rates are often less favourable.

ATMs are widely available in towns and cities and accept most international cards. Stick to ATMs affiliated with major banks to minimise fees.

Tips for managing money in Slovenia

• Always pay in euros—not pounds—when using your card abroad

• Use contactless payments where available but carry cash for smaller purchases

• Avoid dynamic currency conversion at card terminals—choose to be charged in euros

• Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; rounding up or leaving 5–10% is customary

Common mistakes to avoid

Some travellers assume that Slovenia, being in Central Europe, might still use its former currency (the tolar). However, Slovenia adopted the euro over 15 years ago, and only euros are accepted.

Another common issue is relying entirely on card payments. While convenient, you may find that some smaller restaurants or taxis only accept cash, especially outside tourist areas.

In summary

Slovenia uses the euro (EUR) as its official currency. Card payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist centres, but cash is still useful for local markets, rural travel and small businesses. UK travellers can manage money efficiently by combining euros with a travel-friendly card and choosing to pay in euros rather than pounds at card terminals.