Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| SAZAS | Združenje skladateljev, avtorjev in založnikov | Authors and publishers; business permits |
| IPF | Zavod IPF | Performers and phonogram producers |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Slovenia
Music licence for a café, shop or bar in Slovenia
Slovenian businesses playing music pay SAZAS for composers, authors and publishers, and IPF for performers and phonogram producers.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
SAZAS issues permits for music used for business purposes, for example Tariff III C for shops and a hospitality tariff. IPF sells licence packages for hospitality and retail.
How the fee is worked out
SAZAS shop fees are tiered by m2 (Tariff III C, revalorised every year). Hospitality pays a percentage of income from the activity (bar 0.80%, snack bar or pizzeria 0.56%, restaurant 0.32%) with a minimum of EUR 10 a month, excluding VAT. IPF prices by area and revenue under sector agreements, indexed to CPI, and says the average is about EUR 20 per business per month.
2026 example: SAZAS Tariff III C, shop up to 50 m2, EUR 9.35 excluding VAT, revalorised from 1 January 2026; SAZAS's FAQ says business permits state a monthly obligation. Authors only; IPF is separate.
Can I play Spotify or YouTube in my business?
Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers. IPF's FAQ says a subscription gives the right to use protected works for private purposes, and the device used, such as a mobile phone, does not matter.
Music outside the collecting societies
IPF says that businesses which do not use protected music sign a declaration and pay nothing, but also that a licence to play music is always required, and it claims the whole international repertoire. SAZAS does not charge for unprotected works at events.
The Slovenian provisions on mandatory collective management could not be read, so whether protected, directly licensed music escapes society claims is not verified.
SAZAS's FAQ cites minimum fines of about EUR 1,670 for the company and about EUR 330 for the responsible person, enforced by market inspection, and unlicensed use charged at tariff plus 15%.
Dr.DIO in Slovenia
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
In Slovenia it is unclear whether directly licensed protected music escapes society claims: IPF accepts a declaration from businesses that do not use protected music, but Dr.DIO music is protected and directly licensed. Ask SAZAS and IPF in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate, before you decide.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
Official sources
- SAZAS: https://www.sazas.org/
- IPF: https://www.ipf.si/
- SAZAS licence page: https://www.sazas.org/Uporabniki/Tarife-sporazumi-in-ugodnosti
- IPF licence page: https://ipf.si/uporabljate-glasbo/nakup-licence/
- SAZAS: https://www.sazas.org/Uporabniki/Pogosta-vprašanja
- IPF: https://ipf.si/uporabljate-glasbo/zakaj-licenca-ipf-ko/
- IPF: https://ipf.si/uporabljate-glasbo/faq-pogosto-zastavljena-vprasanja/
About this guide
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
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Questions
What is the SAZAS fee for a bar?
Bars pay 0.80% of income from the activity, with a minimum of EUR 10 a month, excluding VAT.
How much does SAZAS cost for a shop?
In 2026 a shop up to 50 m2 pays EUR 9.35 under Tariff III C, excluding VAT, stated as a monthly obligation; IPF is separate.
What is the IPF licence for hospitality?
IPF sells a hospitality package priced by area and revenue; it says the average is about EUR 20 per business per month.
Do I pay both SAZAS and IPF for music in a bar?
Yes, SAZAS for authors and IPF for performers and producers.
Can a bar use music without copyright?
IPF lets businesses that use no protected music sign a declaration and pay nothing. For protected, directly licensed music the position is unclear.
Is Spotify legal in a bar in Slovenia?
No. IPF says a subscription is for private use only.