Designated areas, which include Natura 2000 and protected areas, cover 40% of the total area of the country, which is almost six times more than in 1992. The increase in designated areas is due to designation of Natura 2000 network in 2004 and more landscape parks from 2008 until 2019. For any planned construction activity on designated areas a nature conservation consent is needed.

Areas of protected nature are a measure of the state to preserve natural values and biodiversity in situ. They cover more than 13% of Slovenia’s territory. The largest and the oldest protected area is Triglav National Park, covering almost 84,000 hectares. In recent years, the total surface area of protected areas has expanded largely due to the designation of three landscape parks.

Natura 2000 areas were designated in 2004. Acording to the conclusions of bilateral meeting with European Comission in 2014 the Natura 2000 network was expanded in 2016. Natura 2000 area cover 7681 km² or 37,50% of the total area and 7676 km² or 37,87 % of the terrestrial area of the country.

There are 17.431 parts of nature designated as valuable nature feature, among them 12.148 caves. Any construction or activity in a valuable natural feature area is allowed only if there is no other spatial or tehnical possibility.