A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who uses movement, exercise, manual techniques and physical agents to help people live as independently as possible again after an injury, surgery or illness. The physiotherapist assesses how a person moves, where the limitations are and what causes pain, and then plans and carries out treatment together with the patient.
In Slovenia, physiotherapy is a regulated healthcare profession. To practise, you need the appropriate higher education degree, a traineeship and the professional examination. Physiotherapists are part of the healthcare team alongside doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and other professionals.
Who is a physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist is an expert in movement and body function. The goal is not only to reduce pain but above all to restore or maintain the ability to move: to help someone walk without crutches again after knee surgery, learn to get out of bed after a stroke, help a child with a developmental disorder manage movement more easily, or keep an older person independent and safe from falls.
Physiotherapists work with people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with acute and chronic conditions, and also preventively, before problems arise.
What does a physiotherapist do?
The work begins with an assessment and continues with treatment that is adjusted as the patient progresses. Typical tasks include:
- physiotherapy assessment of movement, posture, muscle strength and range of motion,
- planning physiotherapy treatment together with the patient,
- therapeutic exercise (kinesiotherapy),
- gait training, including with aids such as crutches, a walking frame or a prosthesis,
- manual therapy and joint mobilisation,
- electrotherapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy and other physical modalities,
- hydrotherapy and exercise in water,
- respiratory physiotherapy, for example in lung disease and after surgery,
- lymphatic drainage and oedema management,
- advice on ergonomics, safe lifting and movement in everyday life,
- teaching patients and relatives exercises to do at home,
- keeping records and monitoring progress,
- working with doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and other team members.
Areas of physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a broad field. Physiotherapists often focus on one or more areas:
- musculoskeletal physiotherapy: back and neck pain, injuries, recovery after joint surgery, sports injuries,
- neurophysiotherapy: stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease,
- paediatric physiotherapy: children with motor development disorders and chronic conditions,
- cardiorespiratory physiotherapy: heart and lung disease, intensive care,
- gerontological physiotherapy: older people, fall prevention, maintaining independence,
- pelvic floor physiotherapy and care during pregnancy and after childbirth,
- sports physiotherapy: preventing and rehabilitating sports injuries,
- lymphology: lymphoedema management.
Further professional training and courses are available for individual areas. The portal also has a separate job category for the senior physiotherapist – neurophysiotherapy specialist.
Where does a physiotherapist work?
Physiotherapists can work in the public and private sectors, at primary, secondary and tertiary level:
- in hospitals, on wards and in intensive care,
- in community health centres, in physiotherapy outpatient units,
- in home physiotherapy,
- in rehabilitation centres,
- in natural spas,
- in care homes for older people and other social care institutions,
- in institutions for children and young people with special needs,
- in private physiotherapy practices, with or without a public health insurance contract (concession),
- in sports clubs and with national teams,
- in companies that look after ergonomics and employee health,
- in education and research.
For physiotherapy in the public network, covered by compulsory health insurance, the patient usually needs a referral from a doctor. For self-paid services in private practices this is not necessary.
Education for physiotherapists
The route into the profession today is the professional higher education programme in Physiotherapy (first Bologna cycle). The programme lasts three years and carries 180 ECTS credits. Graduates receive the professional title diplomirani fizioterapevt (VS) / diplomirana fizioterapevtka (VS), a bachelor’s-level physiotherapist.
In Slovenia, the Physiotherapy programme is offered at several higher education institutions, including the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Primorska. Clinical placements in healthcare institutions are an important part of the programme.
After the first cycle you can continue with a master’s programme (second cycle), offered for example by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, and later with doctoral studies.
Older generations also qualified at the former college of higher vocational education. To enrol today you need the general matura, or the vocational matura with an additional matura subject, as set out in the admission requirements of each programme.
Traineeship and professional examination
After graduating, a physiotherapist must complete a traineeship and pass the professional examination before working independently. The traineeship takes place under a mentor in a healthcare institution, and the examination is taken before a board at the Ministry of Health.
The length of the traineeship and the content of the examination are set by the Rules on traineeships and professional examinations for healthcare workers. Because regulations change, always check the current requirements on the SPOT portal and with the Ministry of Health.
What makes a good physiotherapist?
- enjoying working with people, and patience,
- a good knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics,
- the ability to observe and assess accurately,
- communication: exercises have to be explained so that the patient really does them at home,
- motivating people who are in pain or have lost their drive,
- physical fitness, as the work involves a lot of standing, lifting and helping with transfers,
- willingness to keep learning,
- teamwork.
Physiotherapist pay in Slovenia
A physiotherapist’s pay depends on:
- education (bachelor’s or master’s degree),
- work experience,
- additional skills and specialised courses,
- the post and the area of work,
- working in the public or private sector,
- the employer and the region,
- shift, weekend or field work.
With public employers, pay is linked to the public sector pay system and to the post the physiotherapist is assigned to. In private practices, spas and sports clubs, terms depend on the employer and the employment contract. Physiotherapists with their own private practice are paid according to the volume and type of services.
So there is no single “physiotherapist salary”. Employers on our portal often state an indicative pay range in their adverts, so comparing adverts is a good way to get a realistic picture.
Is there demand for physiotherapists?
Yes. In its Occupational Barometer for 2026, the Employment Service of Slovenia lists physiotherapists among the occupational groups in short supply. Demand is driven mainly by an ageing population, more chronic disease, longer waiting times for physiotherapy and growing awareness of the importance of movement and prevention.
For young physiotherapists this means good employment prospects, and for experienced ones a choice between very different settings: from a hospital or rehabilitation centre to private practice or work in sport.
Advantages of the profession
- concrete, visible results: after treatment the patient walks, stands up or moves better,
- a wide variety of areas and work settings,
- a good relationship with patients, as treatment often lasts several weeks,
- opportunities to specialise and develop professionally,
- the possibility of private practice,
- plenty of movement instead of sitting,
- strong demand on the job market.
Challenges of the profession
- physically demanding work that puts strain on the back and hands,
- emotionally demanding situations with patients who have severe injuries or progressive diseases,
- many patients and little time per patient in some settings,
- motivating patients who do not do their exercises at home,
- the cost of additional courses, which physiotherapists often pay themselves,
- shift or weekend work in some posts.
Physiotherapist, kinesiologist or massage therapist: what is the difference?
These three professions are often confused, but they are not the same.
- A physiotherapist is a regulated healthcare profession with a higher education degree in health, a traineeship and the professional examination. Physiotherapists treat people with illnesses, injuries and after surgery, including in hospitals.
- A kinesiologist has a degree in sport and works mainly with exercise, physical conditioning and physical activity for healthy people and athletes. A kinesiologist does not replace a physiotherapist in the healthcare system.
- A massage therapist provides massage for relaxation and wellbeing. Massage can be part of physiotherapy, but physiotherapy is much more than massage.
Physiotherapists from abroad
If you obtained your physiotherapy qualification in another country, you need to have your professional qualification recognised before working in Slovenia. Physiotherapists fall under the general system of recognition, which means that qualifications are assessed individually and an aptitude test or adaptation period may be required. Knowledge of Slovenian is also important when working with patients.
Frequently asked questions about the physiotherapy profession
What does a physiotherapist do?
They assess movement and body function and use exercise, manual techniques and physical agents to help patients move as independently as possible again after an illness, injury or surgery.
What do you need to study to become a physiotherapist?
The professional higher education programme in Physiotherapy (first cycle), which lasts three years.
Is secondary school enough to become a physiotherapist?
No. The profession requires a higher education degree. A secondary health school can be a good basis for enrolling in the programme, but on its own it is not enough.
Does a physiotherapist need to complete a traineeship?
Yes. After graduating, a traineeship and the professional examination before a board at the Ministry of Health follow.
Is a physiotherapist a healthcare professional?
Yes. Physiotherapy is a regulated healthcare profession.
Can a physiotherapist work privately?
Yes. If the prescribed conditions are met, a physiotherapist can run a private healthcare practice, with a concession or as self-paid physiotherapy.
Do I need a referral for physiotherapy?
For physiotherapy covered by compulsory health insurance, usually yes. For self-paid physiotherapy, no referral is needed.
What are the job prospects for physiotherapists?
Good. According to the Employment Service of Slovenia, physiotherapists are among the professions in short supply in 2026.
Physiotherapist – a short summary
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who uses movement and physical agents to help people achieve better function and independence. What matters for the profession:
- the professional higher education programme in Physiotherapy,
- a traineeship and the professional examination,
- a good knowledge of anatomy and movement,
- communication and patience,
- physical fitness,
- continuous professional development.
The profession suits people who like working with people, are interested in the human body and want to see concrete progress in their work.
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Sources and useful links
- SPOT – Physiotherapist: official information on the conditions for practising the profession.
- Rules on traineeships and professional examinations for healthcare workers: traineeship requirements and the content of the professional examination.
- Employment Service of Slovenia – Occupational Barometer 2026: physiotherapists among the occupational groups in short supply.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska: the Physiotherapy study programme.
