Safety and security

Terrorism

Although most visits to Montenegro are trouble-free, there is an underlying threat from terrorism, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates. 

Crime

Crime levels are low, but street crime take place, particularly in larger towns so take sensible precautions: 

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home
• Watch out for pick pockets in public places like airports and on public transport

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Montenegro, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Budapest if you need help.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Montenegro, you should be extremely careful. Poor road conditions and poor standards of driving in Montenegro results in an above-average number of road accidents. One particularly poor road is the Ibarska Magistrala (linking Serbia to Montenegro): bad conditions and overcrowding can make it dangerous. Traffic drives on the right.

If you want to drive:

• Bring your full Irish driver’s licence and international driving permit and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
• Drive defensively, avoid confrontation with other drivers and avoid driving at night outside urban areas
• Keep your dipped headlights on during the day

Car documentation

If you’re taking your car to Montenegro, bring your vehicle registration/ownership documents and a locally-valid insurance policy.  Drivers of cars registered on foreign plates and without suitable valid insurance will be asked to buy insurance at the border crossing. The European green card is valid in Montenegro. 

Hiring a vehicle

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Mountain climbing

The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe, averaging more than 2,000 meters in elevation. Take special precautions and a mountain guide to avoid accidents in the mountains.  If you’re planning a mountaineering tour that involves crossing borders other than at an official border crossing point, contact the National Tourist Organisation for advice.

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. 

LGBT

There are no laws against homosexuality in Montenegro and same-sex couples are generally tolerated. However, we do advise discretion and it may be best to avoid public displays of affection.

Photography

Avoid taking photographs of military and police installations, personnel or vehicles as this may lead to difficulties with the authorities.

Health

Vaccinations

Check with your doctor a minimum of eight weeks in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for Montenegro.

Medical facilities

See a list of local hospitals and clinics in Montenegro.

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Visas

Irish passport holders don’t need a visa to enter Montenegro for stays of up to 90 days. If you want to stay beyond 90 days, you must apply for a long stay visa (D) or a temporary residence permit no later than one week before the 90-day period is over. For more information visit the Montenegro’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Passports

Your passport should be undamaged and valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

Border crossings

Only enter Montenegro through recognised border crossings. If you’re planning a mountaineering tour that involves crossing borders other than at an official border crossing point, contact the National Tourist Organisation for advice.

On entering Montenegro, make sure that you get an entry stamp in your passport from the border police. If you try to leave Montenegro without an entry stamp, you may face charges of illegal immigration, a heavy fine and possible imprisonment.

Registration

You must register with the local police within 24 hours of your arrival, unless you’re staying in a hotel or official tourist accommodation, in which case you will be registered automatically on checking-in. If you don’t register you may be fined, detained or face a court appearance. You may also face difficulties leaving the country.

If the company or person you’re visiting is providing private accommodation for longer than 24 hours, they must submit an application for your residence to the police within 12 hours of your arrival and cancel it within 12 hours of departure.

If you’re registering at a police station, you’ll need to bring a registration card with you, which can be bought at any bookstore. In some places, you may be able to register at tourist travel agencies or at local tourism organisations, depending on the agreements in place with the police. You may also be asked to pay small residence tax.

Diseases

These diseases may be a risk in all or part of the country: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tetanus, tick-borne encephalitis.

Money

The official currency of Montenegro is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. Northern Irish bank notes are not accepted. 

Western Union Money transfer

Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka

Trg Od Oruzja Bb

Kotor, 85330

+381-11-3341190 

Atlas Banka Ad Podgorica

Tabacina Bb

Kotor, 85330

+381-11-3341190

Customs requirements

Although there is no limit to the amount of money you can bring into Montenegro, you should declare any sums in excess of €2,000 (including travellers’ cheques or equivalent in other currencies). To take more than €2,000 out of the country, you’ll need to provide proof that you brought the money in. For sums of money in excess of €15,000 you should also get a document stating 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. It’s a legal requirement to declare all credit cards when entering or exiting Montenegro. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Customs officers at all border points issue declaration forms. On departure, you’ll need to return a certified copy of this declaration to customs.