About Montenegro

Travel Advice

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.

Most visits to Montenegro are trouble-free.

If you’re living in or moving to Montenegro, do visit our Living in Montenegro guide in addition to this travel advice.

Protests and demonstrations occur sporadically in Montenegro, often in front of government or religious buildings and Parliament. These can occur more frequently in the run-up to elections. See Political situation

Terrorist attacks in Montenegro can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism

You must register with local police within 24 hours of your arrival in Montenegro. See Registration

Under Montenegrin law you must carry a valid form of ID with you at all times, for example a driving licence, passport or equivalent, otherwise you may be fined. See Local laws and customs

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

Coronavirus travel health

Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for Montenegro on the TravelHealthPro website

See the TravelHealthPro website for further advice on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You should follow the advice of the local authorities on the most appropriate way to protect yourself and others, including any measures brought in to control coronavirus. These measures may change at short notice at both national and local levels.

International travel

There are direct and indirect flights between the UK and Montenegro. You should contact your airline before you travel to confirm your flight is going ahead as scheduled.

For more information about your rights, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you are not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Entry and borders

See Entry requirements to find out what you will need to do when you arrive in Montenegro.

Everyone should comply with the measures put in place in Montenegro to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Land border crossings may close at short notice and entry to neighbouring countries may be subject to entry requirements.

Be prepared for your plans to change

No travel is risk-free during COVID-19. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example due to a new COVID-19 variant. Check with your travel company or airline for any transport changes which may delay your journey home.

Plan ahead and make sure you:

• can access money
• understand what your insurance will cover
• can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

Coronavirus healthcare in Montenegro

If you develop any coronavirus symptoms or are concerned about your health you should go to a state Primary Health Care Centre  (Dom zdravlja) or see a private doctor where an initial check will determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19 immediately or referred to a local specialist clinic.

You can request and obtain a PCR, quick antigen or serology tests for COVID at your own expense from most private laboratories in Montenegro.

The latest information on case numbers is available on the website for the Institute of Public Health.

Contact details for public and private medical facilities are available from this non-exhaustive list of healthcare providers.

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health.

View Health for further details on healthcare in Montenegro.

See also the guidance on healthcare if you’re waiting to return to the UK.

Travel in Montenegro

For information on entering Montenegro, see Entry requirements.

Some restrictions put in place by the Montenegrin government to prevent the spread of coronavirus remain, on the advice of the Institute for Public Health. These measures may change at short notice either at national or at local level. You should check local guidance for further information and details about restrictions in Montenegro.

Finance

For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance.

Help and support

If you need urgent consular assistance, contact your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. All telephone numbers are available 24/7.

Crime

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings from street crime. Do not leave valuables unattended and watch out for pick pockets in public places like tourist hot spots, beaches, airports and on public transport. Use a hotel safe if possible.

Incidents of violent crime between organised criminal groups can occur. You should exercise caution, remain vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. In the event of any incidents, you should follow the advice of local authorities.

The main emergency numbers are: 112 (general emergencies), 122 (police), 123 (fire department) and 124 (ambulance service).

Road travel

See the RAC guide on driving in Montenegro.

Licences and documents

To drive in Montenegro you must have a valid foreign driving licence and International Driving Permit (IDP). You can get the IDP over the counter from 2,500 UK Post Offices. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. If you’re staying longer than 6 months in Montenegro you will need to get a local driving licence.

You must also have the original Certificate of Motor Insurance and the original V5C vehicle log book with you . If you fail to carry the right documents, you will be refused entry and the car may be impounded until you can prove ownership. The FCDO cannot assist you in confirming the validity of photocopied and/or emailed registration logbooks (V5C) nor obtain originals for you.

Drivers of cars registered on foreign plates without a valid international motor insurance will have to buy temporary insurance for Montenegro, available for purchase at all official border crossings (“granichno osiguranje” in Montenegrin).

Road standards

The standard of roads is fair to poor with conditions worsening in rural areas, especially in the winter and after bad weather. In particular, the two-lane Moraca Canyon in Montenegro can be dangerous when conditions are poor and there is overcrowding. Roads leading to Montenegro’s coastal areas are in better condition, but can be overcrowded during the summer season.

Driving regulations

By law you must wear a seatbelt. Riders of scooters, mopeds or motorcycles must wear a crash helmet.

You must drive with dipped headlights on during the day and must not use a mobile phone while driving. You must equip your car for winter conditions when the weather requires it, including winter tyres from 15 November to 1 April.

Montenegrin traffic law defines intoxication as a blood alcohol level higher than 0.3 g/kg or 0 g/kg for drivers younger than 24 or with less than 12 months of driving experience.

Exceeding the speed limit by just 10kph will get you a fine in Montenegro, while excessive speeding (30kph over the limit in towns and 50kph on motorways) and overtaking under dangerous conditions will lead to automatic confiscation of your driving licence. Fines for traffic offences range from €20 to €6,000. Prison sentences can also be imposed.

If you are issued with a fine, the issuing police officer will usually request payment is made to a bank account within a reasonable time. In certain circumstances your passport may be seized. If you deny the charge you have the right to appear in court. All fine receipts have serial numbers and can be monitored in a central register for 3 years.

If you are involved in a small traffic accident, you can request a police investigation at a cost of 50 euros. This fee is reimbursable from the person found guilty for causing the accident after completion of the court proceedings. Drivers can opt to complete a European accident report and submit it to their insurance company without a police investigation.

The only toll roads in Montenegro are the Sozina tunnel between Lake Skadar and the sea and the Princess Ksenija motorway between Podgorica and Kolasin.

Sea travel

If you are sailing to Montenegro, enter only at a designated port/harbour. If this is not possible, contact the local harbour master or the police before entering.

If you have experienced an accident at sea, call 129, the emergency number of the rescue unit within the Maritime Safety Department.

Extreme and adventure sports

A wide range of outdoor activities are on offer for tourists. Take precautions to prevent injuries and use protective equipment. Before signing up with paragliding instructors, for example, ask to see their training licence for tandem flights. Make sure you have the necessary licence when renting outdoor activity vehicles, such as quad bikes or jet skis.

If you’re hiking in the mountains, seek expert advice from local guides, Do not underestimate the hike: factors like weather, landscape, distance and elevation can increase the risks. Take a fully charged mobile phone and enough supplies with you. There have been reports of hikers getting lost in the mountains when they have left marked paths.

If you get into trouble, call the emergency number 112.

Political situation

Protests and demonstrations sometimes take place in Montenegro, often in front of government or religious buildings and Parliament. These are largely peaceful but can lead to traffic disruption and have occasionally involved clashes with the police and have the potential to involve violent incidents.

Remain vigilant and keep up to date with local developments, check local media, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings and find alternative routes where possible. In the event of any incidents, you should follow the advice of local authorities.

Terrorist attacks in Montenegro cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Terrorists may target religious sites, including churches.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

Under Montenegrin law you must carry a valid form of ID with you at all times, for example a driving licence, passport or equivalent, otherwise you may be fined. Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place.

Drug laws are similar to those in the UK. Possession or trafficking of drugs will attract strict penalties and often a lengthy prison sentence.

Taking photographs of military and police installations, personnel or vehicles is forbidden and may lead to arrest and prosecution by the local authorities.

There are no laws against same-sex sexual activity and there is a general tolerance towards same-sex couples in Montenegro. However, due to the conservative nature of society, overt public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention. Pride events have been held since 2013 and generally take place without incident. You can find more local information on LGBT issues on the website of Queer Montenegro. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Montenegro set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Montenegro’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy.

All travellers

All travellers should familiarise themselves with the entry rules for Montenegro before travel.

If you’re fully vaccinated

Entry requirements for Montenegro are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Proof of vaccination status

You do not need to provide your vaccination status or a negative test result for entry to Montenegro.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

Entry requirements for Montenegro are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year

Entry requirements for Montenegro are the same for all travellers, regardless of whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year.

Children and young people

There are no specific requirements for children and young people.

If you’re transiting through Montenegro

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.

Check with your airline before departing.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions to Montenegro’s entry requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

You should check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Passport validity

If you are visiting Montenegro, your passport should be issued in the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your planned date of departure from Montenegro.

If you hold dual citizenship, the Montenegrin authorities will consider you a citizen of the issuing state of the passport with which you entered Montenegro.

Visas

You can enter Montenegro for short-term stays of up to 90 days without a visa. The Montenegrin law considers “stays of 90 days” as 90 days in total in a 180-day period, counted from the first entry date.

On entering Montenegro, make sure the border police put an entry stamp in your passport. This helps avoid problems related to verifying the length of your stay in the country.

If you are in the UK the Montenegrin Embassy in London will be able to advise on what kind of visa you may need before travel to Montenegro.

If you wish to extend your stay in Montenegro, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit from the Montenegrin Ministry of Interior Affairs no later than one week before the 90-day period expires.

Border crossings

Only enter Montenegro through recognised border crossings.

If you are planning a mountaineering tour which involves crossing borders other than at an official border crossing point, contact the National Tourist Organisation for advice.

Registration

By law you must register with the local police or tourism organisation in the town/city where you are staying within 24 hours of your arrival in Montenegro, unless you are staying in a hotel or other commercial accommodation where you’ll be registered automatically on checking in.

If you do not register you may be fined, detained or face a court appearance.

Customs requirements

The Montenegro Customs Administration advises travellers of the main regulations regarding import of food, medicines, flora and fauna species, animals, tobacco and alcoholic beverages and firearms.

Although there is no limit to the amount of money you can bring into Montenegro, you should declare sums of money in excess of €10,000 (including travellers’ cheques or equivalent in other currencies). To take more than €10,000 out of the country you will need to provide proof that you brought the money in. Customs Officers at all border points issue declaration forms. On departure, you will need to return a certified copy of this declaration to customs. For sums of money in excess of €10,000 you should also have obtained a document which states the origin of the funds. If you fail to comply with these rules, your money may be confiscated.

To avoid customs charges, declare items of value like expensive jewellery, photographic and computer equipment.

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

See the Coronavirus travel health and Healthcare sections in the Coronavirus page for COVID-19 health information.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you are abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you are travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For more information on controlled and legal medicines, contact The Montenegro Customs Administration or Montenegrin Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

You should apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have an EHIC, it will still be valid as long as it remains in date.

There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals visiting Montenegro, which entitles you to free treatment for genuine emergencies. In order to exercise this right, you should present a British passport and some evidence of being insured in the UK to the office of the Health Fund of Montenegro and obtain a certificate. A GHIC card will suffice for that purpose, but for free emergency care and financial reimbursement, the request to local authorities for a certificate must be submitted in advance of the medical treatment or as soon as possible after urgent admission to hospital. More detailed information can be found on our living in Montenegro page.

The reciprocal agreement does not cover repatriation to the UK or any additional costs, so we highly recommend taking out adequate travel health insurance to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 124 to contact the ambulance service directly. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Montenegro does not recognise UK prescriptions. You should ensure that you bring sufficient supplies of medication with you, and if you need medication while travelling, you should speak to a pharmacist who will tell you if you need a prescription from a local GP. While pharmacies across the country stock a solid supply of medicines, not all medicines prescribed in the UK are available in Montenegro. It is illegal to order medicines from abroad and import them by post to Montenegro.

Montenegro lies in a seismically active zone and small tremors are recorded throughout the year. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but do occur. The last serious earthquake, in 1979, resulted in 94 deaths and approximately 1,000 injuries and caused major structural damage along the Montenegrin coast. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, visit the website of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Wild fires are common in Montenegro from April to October due to the dry/hot weather. Wild fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas. Make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, do not light fires or barbecues and do not leave any rubbish, particularly empty bottles, behind. If you see a forest fire, call the emergency services on 112.

Flooding can be a problem in winter and spring when heavy rains and snow melt causes rivers to swell.

Monitor media reports and follow the advice of the local authorities if a forest fire, flood or earthquake occurs in your area.

The official currency of Montenegro is the Euro.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country.

Only Bank of England issued bank notes are recognised or exchanged in Montenegro. Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes are not accepted.

Foreign travel checklist

Read our foreign travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while you are there.

Travel safety

The FCDO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. Your safety is our main concern, but we cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. If you are concerned about whether or not it is safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory you are travelling to, together with information from other sources you have identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Only you can decide whether it is safe for you to travel.

When we judge the level of risk to British nationals in a particular place has become unacceptably high, we will state on the travel advice page for that country or territory that we advise against all or all but essential travel. Read more about how the FCDO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice.

Our crisis overseas page suggests additional things you can do before and during foreign travel to help you stay safe.

Refunds and cancellations

If you wish to cancel or change a holiday that you have booked, you should contact your travel company. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. Many of them use our travel advice to help them reach these decisions, but we do not instruct travel companies on when they can or cannot offer a refund to their customers.

For more information about your rights if you wish to cancel a holiday, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you are not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Registering your travel details with us

We are no longer asking people to register with us before travel. Our foreign travel checklist and crisis overseas page suggest things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan your trip and stay safe.

Previous versions of FCDO travel advice

If you are looking for a previous version of the FCDO travel advice, visit the National Archives website. Versions prior to 2 September 2020 will be archived as FCO travel advice. If you cannot find the page you’re looking for there, send the Travel Advice Team a request.

Further help

If you are a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that is not covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. We are not able to provide tailored advice for specific trips.