Short answer. Slovenia has no permit specific to a private shelter: it is ordinary construction under the Building Act (GZ-1) 2. A building permit is needed to build, reconstruct or change the use of any object that is not a "simple" object, and a building deeper than 2 m or needing more than 2 m of excavation cannot be simple or non-demanding 23. Shelters are mandatory only in listed public and strategic buildings in settlements of more than 10,000 residents 1.
Do you need a permit for a private shelter in Slovenia?
There is no shelter-specific permit or declaration. The ordinary regime of the Building Act applies 2:
- A final building permit and a notice of start of works are required for new construction, reconstruction and change of use of non-demanding, less demanding and demanding objects (GZ-1, art. 5) 2.
- A "minor reconstruction" (for example, improving or replacing several structural elements without endangering stability, or larger openings in the structure) is done on a notice of start of works, based on the written opinion of an authorised civil engineering expert, who confirms the work afterwards (GZ-1, arts. 6-7) 2.
- Maintenance work does not need a permit 2.
The government decree on classifying objects sets the thresholds 3:
| Category | General limits for a building | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Simple object (enostavni) | one storey, up to 4 m high, up to 1 m deep | 3 |
| Non-demanding object (nezahtevni) | one storey, up to 6 m high, up to 2 m deep, no excavation deeper than 2 m | 3 |
| Less demanding object (manj zahtevni) | anything not classed as demanding, non-demanding or simple | 3 |
Both the simple and non-demanding categories also require the object to meet the criteria of Annex 1 of the decree, which we did not read 3. In practice, a buried shelter that needs excavation deeper than 2 m is at least a less demanding object, so it needs a building permit from the administrative unit (upravna enota) 23.
Who must build a shelter in Slovenia?
Basic-protection shelters are built in urban areas of settlements with more than 10,000 residents (decree, art. 3) 1. There, investors must build them in buildings for 1:
- public health services with more than 50 beds;
- childcare institutions for more than 100 children;
- regular education for more than 200 participants;
- public telecommunications and postal centres;
- national television and radio;
- public rail, bus, sea and air passenger transport;
- important energy and industrial activities serving defence and protection in wartime;
- state bodies with more than 50 employees.
In all other buildings in those areas, the ceiling above the basement must be built to withstand the collapse of the building onto it: "V vseh objektih, ki so na območjih iz prvega odstavka prejšnjega člena se mora stropna konstrukcija nad kletjo graditi tako, da zdrži rušenje objektov nanjo" (art. 4) 1. No other duty for ordinary homes appears in the decree 1.
What changed in March 2026?
The amending decree published in Uradni list RS 82/26 on 18 March 2026 deleted the review of shelter design documentation (arts. 5-8) 14. It also set conditions under which the protective function of an existing shelter can be changed, and added reporting duties for the shelter register 1.
What obligations come with owning a shelter?
All basic-protection shelters and shelters for sheltering up to 24 hours must be maintained regularly, and their owners are responsible for this (decree, art. 10) 1. The owner or manager must obtain a certificate of suitability, and the shelter rules set by the defence minister must be posted inside 1. URSZR states that the certificate is valid for ten years 4.
Owners report register data (type, number of places, address, owner, last inspection) to the municipality within a month of obtaining the use permit, or once a year when the municipality asks 1. Changing a shelter's protective function needs a decision by URSZR 1.
Is there a subsidy or a technical standard?
We found no official subsidy for private shelters on URSZR pages 4. Official shelters follow the Rules on technical norms for shelters and refuges and the Rules on norms for shelters up to 24 hours, and their equipment must be tested by accredited laboratories 4. See shelter standards.
What should I check before asking for a quote?
- Ask your engineer to classify the works (simple, non-demanding, less demanding object, or minor reconstruction) and, if needed, apply to the administrative unit for a building permit 23.
- Check whether your settlement has more than 10,000 residents: if so, any new building needs a basement ceiling that withstands collapse 1.
- If you aim for an officially recognised shelter, read the shelter types and ask one of the authorised organisations about the certificate of suitability 14.
- Check that any equipment has been tested by an accredited laboratory 4.
Who should design it?
Phaenyx gives no construction instructions. Structural design, loads, ventilation and waterproofing belong to a qualified structural engineer, who will also confirm the object's category with the administrative unit. Our guides on protection factor, shelter ventilation, NBC filtration, radon underground and shelter humidity and mould explain the vocabulary you will meet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my basement into a shelter without a permit?
It depends on the works. Maintenance needs no permit, a minor reconstruction needs a notice of start of works and an authorised expert's opinion, and a reconstruction needs a building permit 2. Your engineer classifies the works 23.
Does my new house need a reinforced basement ceiling?
Yes if it stands in the urban area of a settlement of more than 10,000 residents: every building there must have a basement ceiling that withstands the collapse of the building 1.
Do I need a ten-year certificate for my private shelter?
The decree requires a certificate of suitability for every basic-protection shelter and every 24-hour shelter in the country 1. It does not say whether a room built without following those norms counts as such a shelter.
Is my private shelter counted in the national register?
Municipalities keep the shelter register, listing number, type, number of places, address, owner and date of the last inspection 1. Shelter owners must report these data to the municipality 1.
Can I use my shelter for other purposes?
Shelters are built as dual-use spaces as a rule 1, and URSZR says they must be made ready for sheltering within 24 hours when a threat arises 4. Changing a shelter's protective function needs a URSZR decision under conditions set in March 2026 1.
Who inspects shelters?
Organisations appointed by the minister carry out the control tests and issue the certificate 4. The Inspectorate for Protection against Natural and Other Disasters supervises the decree 1.
Sources
- Vlada Republike Slovenije / PISRS — Uredba o graditvi in vzdrževanju zaklonišč (Uradni list RS, št. 57/96, 54/15 in 82/26), neuradno prečiščeno besedilo NPB 2 — https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=URED995 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Državni zbor RS / PISRS — Gradbeni zakon (GZ-1), neuradno prečiščeno besedilo NPB 5 — https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO8244 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Vlada Republike Slovenije / Uradni list RS — Uredba o razvrščanju objektov (Uradni list RS, št. 96/22) — https://www.uradni-list.si/glasilo-uradni-list-rs/vsebina/2022-01-2391 (accessed 2026-10-21; site returned HTTP 503, read from the Wayback Machine copy of 13 January 2026; annexes not read)
- GOV.SI / Uprava RS za zaščito in reševanje (URSZR) — Zaklonišča — https://www.gov.si/teme/zaklonisca/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Slovenia, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Vlada Republike Slovenije / PISRS · Uredba o graditvi in vzdrževanju zaklonišč (Uradni list RS, št. 57/96, 54/15 in 82/26), neuradno prečiščeno besedilo NPB 2 checked 2026-10-21
- Državni zbor RS / PISRS · Gradbeni zakon (GZ-1), neuradno prečiščeno besedilo NPB 5 checked 2026-10-21
- Vlada Republike Slovenije / Uradni list RS · Uredba o razvrščanju objektov (Uradni list RS, št. 96/22) checked 2026-10-21
- GOV.SI / Uprava RS za zaščito in reševanje (URSZR) · Zaklonišča checked 2026-10-21