Working Conditions in Slovenia

• Slovenia is part of the EU as of May 04th 2004, has implemented the EUR currency, and is a part of the Schengen border treaty.
• Location permits need to be obtained for each individual location. The process is relatively fast and smooth. On the other hand, you will need to obtain special permits for filming in the national and landscape parks.
• The first point of contact for getting all the necessary information regarding funding, legal affairs, local authorities, location scouting, and local industry professionals is Slovenia Film Commission - www.filminslovenia.si
• Hiring a local location manager and/or service producer is not necessary. However, the process will be easier if you appoint a location manager and/or service producer when obtaining location permits and hiring local crew and staff.

Working Hours

• 60 hours a week / 5 days a week / 12 hours a day (11 hours + 1 hour lunch)- OPTIMAL WORKING HOURS
• The 6th day is paid at a pro-rata daily fee.
• Surcharges apply for 7th-day engagement, turnaround breach, overtime fees and meal penalties.
• One-hour lunch break is a standard. Lunch is called at the latest 5-6 hours from the shooting start.
• Running lunch (10 hrs. consecutive shooting) is compensated with 2 OT hours penalty.
• Turnaround (TA) is defined to 10 hours for the Slovenian crew.
• It is possible to work on Sunday, providing an alternative day off is granted (5- or 6-days working week)
• Overtime is calculated after any half hour started over the 12 hours daily limit.

Rates

• As of January 1st, 2007, Slovenia introduced Euro.
• There are no unions related to the audiovisual industry in Slovenia.
• Protection and regulation within the audiovisual industry is offered by several associations, and guilds such as:
  • Directors Guild of Slovenia - www.dsr.si
  • Slovene Association of Cinematographers - www.zfs.si
  • Slovenian Animated Film Association - www.dsaf.si
  • Association of Slovenian Film Producers - www.fps.si
  • Association of Audiovisual Producers of Slovenia - www.davp.si
  • Association of Postproduction Artists - www.dppu.org
  • Screen Actors Guild of Slovenia - www.drustvodsi.si
• Fees are established on a national level, but they are just an indication; actual rates are subject to negotiation.
• Average daily fees are ca. ¼ of the weekly fee.

Overtime

• Overtime is subject to negotiation.
• Usual Slovenian OT is calculated at Daily Rate/12 x 1,5
• There is no additional charge for working during the night.
• Overtime is calculated after any half hour started over the 12 hours daily limit.

Allowances

• If shooting remotely, the employer is to provide transport for the crew and actors to/from the shooting location or cover the corresponding fuel cost.
• A minimum of breakfast and one warm meal, as well as craft is provided to everyone on set during a working day.

Studio facilities

• Viba Film, based in Ljubljana, is the main studio location in Slovenia and is accompanied by full post-production facilities : two main studios (675m2 and 475m2 studios) and complete post production facility (sound and color correction), more at www.vibafilm.si
• VPK 360 virtual studio, more at www.vpk.si

National mechanisms

The Slovenian government offers a cash rebate that amounts up to 25 % of the total acknowledged expenses for the production and postproduction of an individual project (feature film, documentary, TV drama, and animation), incurred in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia.

The applications must be submitted at least one day before the filming starts (or producing, in the case of animated films) in Slovenia.

The incentive program is available for eligible productions that have a Slovenian producer co-producer or service production partner, “The Filming in Slovenia guide for 2023” is a available at www.filminslovenia.si

Eligibility criteria:

• No minimum spending requirement.
• The eligible production formats: feature films, documentaries, TV dramas, and animation (the incentive doesn’t apply to commercials, reality TV, game shows, and soap operas).
• Slovenian producer, co-producer, or service producer.
• Employment of Slovenian crew, authors, and cast.
• Detailed overview of requirements available at www.film-center.si

Location / Transport

• Slovenia is very well connected with all the major European cities through its airports. While in Slovenia, you can use highway network and reach any destination within a two-hour drive.
• The production center is Ljubljana.
• Average hotel price in Ljubljana: 80EUR/night (3*Hotel) - 120EUR/night (4*Hotel)
• No visas are required for citizens of EU Member States. Neither do EU citizens need to possess a residence permit for the first three months of their sojourn in Slovenia.
• U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. They do not require a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days within 6 months whether for the one-off uninterrupted stay or the total duration of successive stays.
• All other foreigners must have a valid passport. Some nationals also need a visa to enter the Republic of Slovenia (www.gov.si)