Podgorica

Passport validity requirements

To enter Montenegro, your passport must:

• have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter Montenegro – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago

• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Montenegro without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Montenegro without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Montenegro within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Montenegro is not part of the Schengen area, so: 

• visits to Montenegro do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area
• visits to other EU or Schengen countries do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in Montenegro

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit. 

The dated entry stamp helps avoid any problems about the length of your stay in the country.

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period 

To stay longer than 90 days, you must meet the Montenegrin government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you may need with the Montenegrin Embassy in the UK in advance of your arrival to Montenegro.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Montenegro guide.

Registering with the authorities

All visitors to Montenegro must register with the local tourism office or police within 24 hours of arrival.

If you’re staying in a hotel or in some holiday lets, the staff or the owner is obliged to register you.

If  staying in  private accommodation, make sure you complete the registration yourself.

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

Entry by sea

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

Customs rules   

There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Montenegro.

Declare valuable items like expensive jewellery, photographic and computer equipment or anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking pets into Montenegro

Montenegro accepts pet passports. You can bring up to 5 pets, as long as they meet medical and other requirements.      

Taking food into Montenegro

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Montenegro. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Montenegro

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Taking medicines into Montenegro

When travelling to Montenegro, you may carry a reasonable amount of medication needed for personal use for a maximum of 6 months. You must declare any prescription medication containing narcotics to customs on arrival and may only bring up to 30 days’ worth of such medication, accompanied by a prescription or certificate from a doctor. The certificate must be less than 90 days old.

Possession of a medications without proper medical documentation, or failure to declare such medication, may lead to confiscation and legal action.

Customs rules   

There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Montenegro.

Declare valuable items like expensive jewellery, photographic and computer equipment or anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking pets into Montenegro

Montenegro accepts pet passports. You can bring up to 5 pets, as long as they meet medical and other requirements.      

Taking food into Montenegro

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Montenegro. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Montenegro

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Taking medicines into Montenegro

When travelling to Montenegro, you may carry a reasonable amount of medication needed for personal use for a maximum of 6 months. You must declare any prescription medication containing narcotics to customs on arrival and may only bring up to 30 days’ worth of such medication, accompanied by a prescription or certificate from a doctor. The certificate must be less than 90 days old.

Possession of a medications without proper medical documentation, or failure to declare such medication, may lead to confiscation and legal action.

Emergency services in Montenegro

Telephone: 112

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you’re involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Montenegro
• dealing with a death in Montenegro
• being arrested in Montenegro
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Travel disruption

Airports can be very busy during the summer months, with delays possible at check-in, security screening and passport control. Arrive at the airport well in advance of your scheduled departure.

For road travel you should:

• monitor local media and official announcements
• plan your journey in advance
• allow extra time for travel
• follow the advice of local authorities

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area. The EES may take each passenger extra time, so it is important to be prepared to wait longer than usual at EU country borders and allow more time for immigration controls if travelling to and from the Schengen area.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always carry a form of ID such as a photocard driving licence or passport. If you do not have it with you, the police can give you a fine. Keep a copy of your passport’s photo page in a safe place.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Montenegro have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Using cameras in secure areas

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

LGBT+ travellers

While there is a general tolerance of same-sex couples in Montenegro, LGBT+ travellers should be aware that showing affection in public could receive negative attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.