112 is the pan-European emergency number and your primary contact in Slovenia for any life-threatening situation. It connects you to ambulance, fire brigade, mountain rescue, and civil protection services — all through a single dispatcher. The number is free to call from any mobile or landline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and works even if your phone has no SIM card or your signal is very weak. Slovenia's 112 operators are trained to handle calls in Slovenian and can access English-speaking support for foreign callers when needed. When you dial 112, stay on the line and follow the dispatcher's instructions until help arrives. The system also supports silent calls — if you cannot speak safely, stay connected and the dispatcher will attempt to locate you through network data. Knowing 112 before you travel is the single most important preparation any driver can make.
While 112 handles most emergencies, Slovenia maintains a separate direct line for its police force. The national police emergency number is 113 — use it for traffic incidents, road crime, or situations requiring law enforcement that are not immediately life-threatening. Fire brigade and ambulance calls are routed through regional dispatch centers, but 112 remains the fastest and recommended route in any genuine emergency. The table below lists the most important numbers every driver in Slovenia should save before setting off:
| Service | Number | Available |
|---|---|---|
| General Emergency (ambulance, fire, rescue) | 112 | 24/7 — free |
| Police | 113 | 24/7 — free |
| AMZS Roadside Assistance | 1987 | 24/7 |
| DARS Road Conditions Hotline | 080 11 44 | 24/7 — free |
| Slovenian Tourist Information | 080 16 40 | Daily |
Save these numbers in your phone before entering Slovenia — mobile roaming charges may apply for non-EU SIM cards on some lines.
The Automobile Association of Slovenia (AMZS) operates the country's leading roadside assistance network, reachable at 1987 from within Slovenia. AMZS provides coverage across all major roads, alpine passes, and motorways, with response times typically under 30 minutes on main routes. Foreign drivers whose domestic automobile club is affiliated with ARC Europe or FIA are entitled to assistance on a reciprocal basis — check your membership card or app before travelling. AMZS assistance covers:
- On-site mechanical repair for minor faults
- Tyre change and emergency tyre inflation
- Battery jump-start and emergency fuel delivery
- Vehicle lockout service
- Towing to the nearest authorised workshop
- Accident documentation support
If you are not a member of an affiliated club, AMZS still responds and charges a standard call-out fee. Having your vehicle documents and insurance card ready when you call will speed up the process considerably.
Foreign drivers in Slovenia benefit from several English-language services that can assist during an emergency or stressful road situation. The Slovenian Tourist Information Centre (080 16 40) can help with language barriers and direct you to local resources. For serious accidents involving injury, always call 112 first — dispatchers can arrange an interpreter if needed. If your vehicle is stolen or broken into, contact the police on 113 and notify your rental company or insurer immediately. Key contacts for foreign drivers are listed below:
| Situation | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency or accident with injuries | 112 | Free, 24/7, interpreter available |
| Police report — theft or minor incident | 113 | Free, 24/7 |
| Roadside breakdown | 1987 (AMZS) | Reciprocal cover may apply |
| Lost or stolen documents | 113 + your embassy | File a police report immediately |
| Road condition updates (English) | promet.si | Website available in English |
Calling emergency services effectively under pressure requires knowing what information to provide. Dispatchers in Slovenia are trained to guide callers, but the clearer your initial information, the faster help arrives. Follow these steps when making an emergency call in Slovenia:
- Dial 112 (or 113 for police) and wait for the dispatcher to answer
- State the nature of the emergency clearly: accident, fire, medical, or breakdown
- Give your exact location — use the road number, nearest kilometre marker, town name, or GPS coordinates if available
- State the number of people involved and whether anyone is injured
- Describe visible hazards: spilled fuel, a blocked lane, smoke, or fire
- Follow the dispatcher's instructions and do not hang up unless told to do so
- If it is safe to do so, place your warning triangle and put on your reflective vest before emergency services arrive
On Slovenian motorways, kilometre markers are posted every 500 metres on the hard shoulder — these are the fastest way to communicate your precise position to a dispatcher.
Staying informed before and during your journey is as important as knowing who to call in a crisis. Slovenia's road authority DARS operates a free 24/7 hotline (080 11 44) for live motorway updates covering congestion, incidents, closures, and weather conditions. The same information is available at promet.si, which publishes real-time traffic data and is accessible in English. For alpine route conditions — particularly the Vršič Pass and the Soča Valley approach roads — check promet.si before every mountain drive, as conditions can change rapidly due to rockfall or sudden snow even in summer. If you are driving a car or van on Slovenian motorways, a valid e-vignette is required by law — motorcycles are exempt. Purchase your Slovenian e-vignette before you travel so you are covered from the moment you enter the motorway network. Vignettes are available for 7 days, 1 month, or 1 year and are linked electronically to your licence plate — no physical sticker is required.