The Regional Aid Map (2022-2027) is the governing framework by which the European Commission defines eligible areas and ceiling aid intensities for corporate investments across Slovenia. Slovenia is divided into two cohesion regions: the Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region (less developed “a” area qualifying for maximum aid intensities of up to 50 %) and the Western Slovenia Cohesion Region (more developed region with designated “c” areas up to 35 % and unassisted areas known as white spots).
For businesses planning investments in manufacturing expansion, technological modernization, or facility construction, the geographical location directly dictates the proportion of non-repayable grants available. Calls issued by the Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS), SPIRIT Slovenia, and ministries strictly adhere to this regional aid map.
Additionally, grant scoring is significantly influenced by border problem areas (OPO), encompassing 88 border municipalities facing structural challenges. Projects located in OPO areas receive vital scoring bonus points.
Definition of Cohesion Regions and the Regional Aid Map (2022-2027)
Regional state aid aims to foster economic growth and employment in less developed parts of the European Union, governed under the European Commission’s Regional Aid Guidelines (2022-2027) and the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).
Division into Eastern and Western Slovenia
Slovenia is divided into two NUTS-2 cohesion regions. Western Slovenia is classified as a more developed region, while Eastern Slovenia remains in the less developed category, qualifying for higher support.
Eligibility categories: “a” areas, “c” areas, and white spots
- “a” Area (Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region): covers all 8 statistical regions of Eastern Slovenia with the highest regional aid intensities.
- “c” Area (Parts of Western Slovenia): includes selected areas such as the Coastal-Karst (Obalno-kraška) statistical region with lower aid ceilings.
- White Spots (primarily Central Slovenia / Ljubljana): non-assisted territories ineligible for regional state aid.
Regional aid intensity ceilings by enterprise size
Maximum co-financing rates depend on project location and enterprise size.
Comparative matrix of aid intensities
| Enterprise size | “a” Area (Eastern Slovenia) | “c” Area (Coastal-Karst) | “c” Area (Western Slovenia) | White spots (Central Slovenia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro and small enterprises (< 50 employees) | 50 % | 45 % | 35 % | 20 % * |
| Medium-sized enterprises (50 – 249 employees) | 40 % | 35 % | 25 % | 10 % * |
| Large enterprises (250+ employees) | 30 % | 25 % | 15 % | 0 % (ineligible) |
* Note for white spot areas: regional investment aid is prohibited; indicated rates (20 % for small, 10 % for medium) apply as general SME aid under Article 17 of the GBER or de minimis rules.
Synergy with border problem areas (OPO)
- Funding intensity: determined strictly by the Regional Aid Map (up to 50 % for small enterprises in Eastern Slovenia).
- Scoring advantage: projects situated within one of the 88 border problem municipalities gain between 5 and 15 extra evaluation points in public calls.
Municipalities by cohesion and statistical regions
Slovenia is divided into two cohesion regions at the NUTS-2 level, and into 12 statistical regions comprising all 212 municipalities at the NUTS-3 level. Municipalities also designated as border problem areas (OPO) with extra scoring in tenders are highlighted with [OPO].
Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region (148 municipalities)
Encompasses 8 statistical regions and is designated as an assisted “a” area with highest aid intensities (up to 50 % for small enterprises).
Pomurska region (27 municipalities)
Apače [OPO], Beltinci, Cankova [OPO], Dobrovnik [OPO], Gornja Radgona, Gornji Petrovci [OPO], Grad [OPO], Hodoš [OPO], Kobilje [OPO], Križevci, Kuzma [OPO], Lendava [OPO], Ljutomer [OPO], Moravske Toplice [OPO], Murska Sobota, Odranci, Puconci [OPO], Radenci, Razkrižje [OPO], Rogašovci [OPO], Sveti Jurij ob Ščavnici [OPO], Tišina [OPO], Turnišče, Velika Polana [OPO], Veržej, Črenšovci [OPO], Šalovci [OPO]
Podravska region (41 municipalities)
Benedikt, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane [OPO], Destrnik, Dornava, Duplek, Gorišnica, Hajdina, Hoče – Slivnica, Juršinci, Kidričevo, Kungota [OPO], Lenart, Lovrenc na Pohorju [OPO], Majšperk [OPO], Makole, Maribor, Markovci, Miklavž na Dravskem polju, Oplotnica, Ormož [OPO], Pesnica [OPO], Podlehnik [OPO], Poljčane [OPO], Ptuj, Rače – Fram, Ruše [OPO], Selnica ob Dravi [OPO], Slovenska Bistrica, Središče ob Dravi [OPO], Starše, Sveta Ana [OPO], Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih goricah, Sveti Andraž v Slovenskih goricah, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih goricah, Sveti Tomaž [OPO], Trnovska vas, Videm [OPO], Zavrč [OPO], Šentilj, Žetale [OPO]
Koroška region (12 municipalities)
Dravograd [OPO], Mežica [OPO], Mislinja, Muta [OPO], Podvelka [OPO], Prevalje [OPO], Radlje ob Dravi [OPO], Ravne na Koroškem [OPO], Ribnica na Pohorju [OPO], Slovenj Gradec [OPO], Vuzenica [OPO], Črna na Koroškem [OPO]
Savinjska region (31 municipalities)
Braslovče, Celje, Dobje, Dobrna, Gornji Grad, Kozje [OPO], Laško, Ljubno, Luče [OPO], Mozirje, Nazarje, Podčetrtek [OPO], Polzela, Prebold, Rečica ob Savinji, Rogatec [OPO], Rogaška Slatina, Slovenske Konjice, Solčava [OPO], Tabor, Velenje, Vitanje, Vojnik, Vransko, Zreče, Šentjur, Šmarje pri Jelšah [OPO], Šmartno ob Paki, Šoštanj, Štore, Žalec
Zasavska region (4 municipalitiese)
Hrastnik, Litija, Trbovlje, Zagorje ob Savi
Posavska region (6 municipalities)
Bistrica ob Sotli [OPO], Brežice [OPO], Kostanjevica na Krki [OPO], Krško, Radeče, Sevnica
Jugovzhodna Slovenija (21 municipalities)
Dolenjske Toplice [OPO], Kostel [OPO], Kočevje [OPO], Loški Potok [OPO], Metlika [OPO], Mirna, Mirna Peč, Mokronog – Trebelno, Novo mesto, Osilnica [OPO], Ribnica, Semič [OPO], Sodražica, Straža, Trebnje, Črnomelj [OPO], Šentjernej [OPO], Šentrupert, Škocjan, Šmarješke Toplice, Žužemberk
Western Slovenia Cohesion Region (64 municipalities)
Encompasses 4 statistical regions and is designated as an assisted “c” area (up to 35 % for small enterprises in eligible territories).
Osrednjeslovenska region (25 municipalities)
Borovnica, Brezovica, Dobrepolje, Dobrova – Polhov Gradec, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domžale, Grosuplje, Horjul, Ig, Ivančna Gorica, Kamnik, Komenda, Ljubljana, Log – Dragomer, Logatec, Lukovica, Medvode, Mengeš, Moravče, Trzin, Velike Lašče, Vodice, Vrhnika, Škofljica, Šmartno pri Litiji
Gorenjska region (18 municipalities)
Bled, Bohinj [OPO], Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Gorenja vas – Poljane, Gorje [OPO], Jesenice, Jezersko [OPO], Kranj, Kranjska Gora [OPO], Naklo, Preddvor [OPO], Radovljica, Tržič [OPO], Šenčur, Škofja Loka, Železniki, Žiri, Žirovnica
Frequently Asked Questions about Cohesion Regions and Regional Aid (FAQ)
What is the difference between Eastern and Western Slovenia in public calls?
Eastern Slovenia is classified as a less developed region (“a” area), granting enterprises access to substantially higher co-financing rates (up to 50 % for small enterprises). Western Slovenia is classified as a more developed region where regional aid is restricted to designated “c” areas with lower ceilings (up to 35 %), while large enterprises in “white spots” cannot receive regional state aid.
What does the “white spots” area mean on the Regional Aid Map?
“White spot” areas are territories in Western Slovenia (notably most of the Central Slovenia region including Ljubljana) that do not meet the criteria for regional state aid. In these areas, large enterprises are ineligible for regional investment aid, while SMEs may only apply under horizontal SME schemes or de minimis rules.
What is the maximum aid intensity for small enterprises?
For micro and small enterprises, the maximum permissible regional aid intensity is 50 % of eligible costs in Eastern Slovenia, 45 % in the Coastal-Karst region, and 35 % across other assisted “c” territories in Western Slovenia.
How does the border problem area (OPO) status affect aid intensity and scoring?
OPO status does not automatically increase the regional state aid ceiling set by the map, but it awards decisive extra points (typically 5 to 15 points) during application scoring in national public calls and opens access to preferential regional loans from the SRRS fund.
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