Does national insurance cover dental implants? Honest answer + financing (2026)

Quick answer: does national insurance cover dental implants?

NO — Slovenia’s national health insurance (ZZZS) does not cover dental implants. Dental implants are a self-pay service, meaning the patient pays for them in full.

This applies to single implants as well as to All-on-4, subperiosteal implants and all related procedures (sinus lift, bone augmentation).

Rare exceptions: in individual cases the ZZZS may cover part of the cost — more on this in the section below.

What national insurance ACTUALLY covers in dentistry

Covered 100% by the ZZZS

• A routine dental check-up (1× a year)
• Emergency dental care (severe pain, bleeding)
• Caries treatment for children up to age 18
• Orthodontic treatment for children (up to 18, with an indication)

Partially covered (with a co-payment)

• Fillings for adults (amalgam and some composite)
• Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment)
• Tooth extractions
• Some removable dentures

Completely NOT covered (self-pay)

• Dental implants
• All-on-4 and All-on-6 methods
• Subperiosteal implants
• Sinus lift and bone augmentation
• White composite fillings (premium)
• Aesthetic prosthetics (crowns, zirconia bridges)
• Teeth whitening
• Invisible aligners (Invisalign, ClearCorrect)
• PRGF therapies

Why are dental implants not covered?

The reason is the ZZZS classification: dental implants are classified as an “aesthetic” or “elective” procedure, not as “medically necessary”. The ZZZS reasons that cheaper alternatives exist (removable dentures, bridges), even though they are functionally and medically inferior.

This will not change for the foreseeable future — Slovenia’s health insurance system has no funds earmarked for mass coverage of implants.

Rare exceptions — when the ZZZS CAN cover

1. Trauma (injury)

After a serious injury (e.g. a traffic or work accident) where the patient lost teeth and the need for an implant for reconstruction is documented, the ZZZS may contribute to financing. An explicit referral and a lengthy approval process are required.

2. Congenital anomalies

For children and adolescents with congenital dental anomalies (e.g. oligodontia — teeth missing from birth) the ZZZS may cover part of the cost.

3. Oncology patients

After cancer treatment in the jaw/head/neck area where tooth or bone loss occurred, the ZZZS may contribute.

The reality: even in these cases, approval is rare and requires explicit documentation. Over 99% of implants in Slovenia are paid for out of pocket.

Supplementary health insurance — does it help?

To be honest:

• Basic supplementary insurance (about €35/month) does NOT cover dental implants.
• Premium dental insurance (e.g. Vzajemna Zobi Plus, Triglav Dental) partly covers prosthetics (crowns, bridges) but not the implants themselves. It may cover 10–50% of the cost of a crown.
• Annual limits are typically €500–1,500, which is not much against €5,500 for All-on-4.

Important: before taking out premium insurance, always check the waiting period (6–12 months).

Tax relief on dental costs

• The relief applies to all health costs not covered by the ZZZS or supplementary insurance
• You can deduct them from your income-tax base if they exceed 2% of your income
• Keep all receipts — originals and/or e-invoices
• The relief applies to your costs and those of your family members

Example: with an annual income of €25,000 and implant costs of €5,500, you can deduct about €5,000 from the tax base. At a 33% tax rate, this yields about €1,650 in tax savings.

Note: this is only general advice, not tax advice. Consult an accountant or the tax authority before claiming.

Financing options at Koderman

1. Cash or bank transfer

We can split the payment into phases according to the clinical steps (consultation, placement, prosthetics).

2. Payment cards

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. No surcharge.

3. Interest-free instalments

Total value	Possible instalments
€1,000–2,500	3–6 instalments
€2,500–5,000	6–12 instalments
€5,000–10,000	12–18 instalments
over €10,000	18–24 instalments

No interest, no paperwork, no banks.

4. Bank loan (for larger amounts)

Banks (NLB, Sparkasse, Addiko) offer health loans with favourable interest rates (3–6%) and terms of up to 5 years.

Price vs. value — is it worth it?

Solution	Initial price	Lifespan	Price/year (20 years)
Removable denture	€800–1,500	5–10 years (replacements)	~€250/year
Bridge	€1,500–3,000	10–15 years	~€200/year
All-on-4 implants	€5,500	20+ years	~€275/year
Single implants (8×)	€5,200	20+ years	~€260/year

Frequently asked questions

Will the ZZZS cover dental implants in the future? In our opinion, not in the foreseeable future (5–10 years).

If I have a disability, do I get a discount or coverage? A disability in itself does not mean the ZZZS covers implants. If it is linked to tooth loss for a medical reason (cancer, trauma), you can request a special approval.

Are dental implants tax-deductible? Yes, as a health cost on the annual income tax return. Keep the receipts.

Can I pay for dental implants through a company? Not in the ordinary process, as they are classified as a personal health cost.

Do you offer a senior discount at Koderman? For patients over 65 we offer a 10% discount on all implants and prosthetics.