Country name: Republic of Slovenia, Republika Slovenija

Establishment of diplomatic relations:

• 15 January 1992 (Federal Republic of Germany)

System of government: Republic, parliamentary democracy

Diplomatic relations between Germany and Slovenia were established on 15 January 1992. The two countries enjoy very good relations based on mutual trust. The joint action plan of 2022 has been extended to cover 2025-2028. Foreign Minister Fajon, who was in office until May 2026, signed this extension together with Foreign Minister Wadephul in Berlin on 14 July 2025.

Bilateral economic cooperation is extremely close. Germany is Slovenia’s second most important trading partner behind Switzerland and is also one of the country’s principal foreign investors. Slovenia is attractive for German companies, especially as a supplier – in particular when it comes to car parts, machinery and electrical engineering products. The first port of call is the German-Slovene Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Ljubljana.

A cultural agreement between Germany and Slovenia has been in force since 1993. With its politically ambitious programming and successful language courses, the Goethe-Institut that opened in Ljubljana in 2004 is an important part of the cultural scene. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a lector in the country. Nova Gorica and Chemnitz were the joint European Capitals of Culture in 2025. In November 2026, Germany will be the country in focus at this year’s Slovene Book Fair.

At 23 Slovene schools, students can obtain the German Language Certificate (DSD) offered by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. They are supported by an adviser from the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) and a number of seconded teachers, as well as by volunteers from the kulturweit programme. In total, around 70,000 people in Slovenia are learning German, which is the most frequently taught foreign language after English.