Do I have to carry an ID document with me at all times?
Slovenia has no blanket duty to carry your identity card at all times, but on request from an official you must prove your identity with a valid official photo document. Under the Identity Card Act (ZOIzk-1), a citizen must hold an identity card from the age of 18, unless they hold another valid official photo document or live permanently abroad. You must carry the document and show it on request, except where the circumstances make it pointless – the law does not expect you to carry it while jogging or walking the dog outside your block. The key myth is that the card is »always mandatory« or that a photo of the document on your phone is enough: a photocopy or a picture on a screen does not count as an official document. A valid document means an identity card, passport, driving licence, weapons permit or border pass – so if you have a valid driving licence on you, you need not carry the ID card. If you do not have a document on you or refuse to show it, you risk a fine of 50 to 200 euros; if you do not hold an identity card at all, the fine is 400 to 830 euros.
📋 The rules
- A citizen must hold an identity card from the age of 18, unless they hold another valid official photo document or live permanently abroad.
- You must carry an official photo document (ID card, passport, driving licence, weapons permit, border pass) and show it on request, except where this would be pointless.
- A photo or photocopy of the document on your phone does not count as an official document; the officer may also establish identity by other means.
- If you carry a valid driving licence or passport, you need not carry the ID card, as it is an equivalent official document.
- Failing to carry or show a document is a fine of 50-200 euros; not holding an ID card at all is 400-830 euros.
🔓 Exceptions
- The law sets no distance from home; where carrying a document is pointless (jogging, swimming, a short walk), you need not, but you must prove identity another way.
- Minors under 18 are not obliged to hold an identity card, though they may obtain one; another document or a parent's presence suffices for identification.
- Foreign nationals prove identity with other documents (passport, residence permit); the Aliens Act applies to them, not ZOIzk-1.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The police may check identity only in cases set by law, but once they lawfully stop you, you must show a valid official document. If you do not carry a document or refuse to show it, the prescribed fine is 50 to 200 euros; the same applies if you fail to hand in an expired card for destruction within the deadline. If you hold no identity card at all (and no other valid document), you risk a far higher fine of 400 to 830 euros. Compliance is overseen by the Inspectorate for Internal Affairs. The practical consequence is not only financial: if you cannot prove your identity, the police may detain you until it is established, which costs time and triggers further procedures. Proximity to home affects what happens next – the officer may let you fetch the document, but is not obliged to. You also must not lend your identity card or use someone else's, as misuse of a document can be a misdemeanour or a criminal offence.
📎 Official sources
- PISRS · statute register (Identity Card Act ZOIzk-1) →
- Police · identity checks and personal documents →
- GOV.SI · identity card and personal documents →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I always have to carry my identity card?
The law does not require you to carry the card constantly, since carrying it is needed only where the circumstances do not make it pointless. On an official's request, however, you must prove your identity with a valid official photo document, or you risk a fine of 50 to 200 euros.
Is a photo of my ID on my phone enough?
No, a photo or photocopy of the document on a phone screen does not count as an official identification document. The officer must see a valid physical document with a photograph, otherwise they may establish your identity by other means or issue a fine.
Which documents can I show instead of the ID card?
A valid official document includes the identity card, passport, driving licence, weapons permit and border pass. If you carry a valid driving licence, you need not carry the identity card, as it is an equivalent photo document under the law.
What is the fine if I have no document on me?
If you do not carry a valid document or refuse to show it, the fine is 50 to 200 euros. If you hold no identity card at all, although you should, the higher fine of 400 to 830 euros applies for not possessing the card.
Can an officer detain me for having no document?
If you cannot prove your identity, the police may hold you long enough to establish who you are. Proximity to home affects the procedure, since the officer may let you fetch the document, but is not obliged to do so.
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