⛰️ Montenegro

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 42% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Which visa rules apply depends on your passport, so ask a Montenegrin embassy. Anyone who needs a visa should apply well in advance, either at a Montenegrin embassy or at a consulate. Before booking, get the current rule confirmed by the Montenegrin foreign ministry or an embassy. Although Montenegro uses the euro, it lies outside the Schengen Area. Proof of funds, hotel details, a return ticket and a passport that is valid for 6 months are all expected. The police register foreign guests, and hotels handle this for you.

Culture and practical - take note

Small and mountainous, Montenegro is a welcoming place. Orthodox Christians make up most of the population, alongside Muslim and Catholic communities. Churches and monasteries call for modest dress. Narrow, winding roads mean journeys take longer, so allow extra time and avoid night driving. The old town in the Bay of Kotor gets crowded in summer, so arrive early. Wildfires can break out in summer, and the mountains see snowy winters. Leave a tip of about 10%. Water from the tap is generally safe. Beaches may turn out pebbly, so bring water shoes. Away from Podgorica and Muslim towns like Plav and Rozaje, halal food is limited.

Emergency

112. Police 122. Fire 123. Ambulance 124.

Good to know

Euro, cash machines and fraud

The euro is Montenegro's currency, says Canadian advice. It reports card and ATM fraud and suggests using machines in public areas or inside a bank or business, covering the keypad when entering a PIN, and checking statements afterwards. It also warns of pickpocketing in tourist areas and advises against carrying large sums of cash.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, photography and ID

UK advice says illegal drugs, cannabis included, carry severe penalties, even for people only transiting the airport, and that photographing police or military sites, personnel or vehicles is illegal. Visitors must carry ID at all times, and police can fine those without it. Canadian advice adds that flying a drone needs permission from the Civil Aviation Agency, and that same-sex acts are not criminalised.

Taxis and scams

Licensed taxis

Officially licensed taxis show a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number on the side, and UK travel advice says to use only those. Because not every taxi company is authorised to collect passengers directly from the airport, order a licensed taxi ahead or through a taxi app. Canadian advice says to confirm the fare beforehand or insist that the driver use the meter.

Who can help

local government

National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro

Helps with: Montenegro's national tourism organisation. Contact its Podgorica office for visitor information. Its page also lists a separate call centre number.

Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Montenegro or planning a trip there.

Phone: +382 (0)77 100 001

Address: Slobode 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Red Cross of Montenegro

Helps with: Montenegro's national Red Cross society. It covers disaster response, first aid and lifeguard training, blood donation, and a tracing service for missing persons.

Who qualifies: People in Montenegro who need its first aid, disaster or tracing services.

Phone: +382 20 241 819

Email: [email protected]

Address: Jovana Tomasevica 6, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Montenegro

Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Montenegro since 2001. It works on counter-trafficking, anti-smuggling, labour migration and assisted return.

Who qualifies: Migrants, returnees and people at risk of trafficking. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Address: BC Hilton, Ulica Slobode 2, V floor, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 112

Helps with: Montenegro's emergency number. UK government travel advice gives this one number and does not split it by service.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 112

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Budva BudvaNightlife, many beaches and a walled old town define the busiest resort town, close to the island of Sveti Stefan.Photo: Nick Savchenko from Kiev, Ukraine, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kotor KotorStone lanes run through this UNESCO walled town on a fjord-like bay, and a steep climb leads to views from the fortress.Photo: User:Ggia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Herceg Novi Herceg NoviStanding at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, this sunny, flower-filled town offers a long promenade by the sea and fortresses.Photo: Zlatko at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ulcinj UlcinjVelika Plaža, a long sandy beach, lies in this southern town, which also has a hilltop old town and an Oriental flavour.Photo: Andrey from Russia, CC BY 2.0 Tivat TivatWaterfront cafes, the Porto Montenegro marina and an international airport characterise this modern town on the bay.Photo: Dreizung, CC BY-SA 4.0 Žabljak and Durmitor Žabljak and DurmitorDurmitor National Park is reached from this mountain base, with rafting on the Tara River through its canyon, hiking, and glacial lakes.Photo: Andrea Polereczky, CC BY-SA 3.0

City selection based on: Montenegro National Tourism Organisation guest counts by town, Monstat overnight data, Wikipedia tourism article.

Festivals and events

festival

Boka Night

around Aug 2027 · Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is the scene of fireworks and decorated boats.