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Montenegro
Country Specific Information
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March 18, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Montenegro declared its independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in June 2006, following a peaceful
referendum process. Montenegro is a small Balkan country currently undergoing significant political and economic change.
Tourist facilities are widely available but vary in quality and some may not be up to Western standards. Read the Department
of State Background Notes on Montenegro for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens with tourist, official, or diplomatic passports do not require a visa for entry and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days. If U.S. citizens decide to stay longer than 90 days they must apply for a temporary residence permit one week before the 90-day period expires. This applies to bearers of all types of U.S. passports – tourist, official, and diplomatic. The Government of Montenegro has established its Embassy in Washington, D.C. and a Consulate General in New York. The Embassy of Montenegro currently has no web site but can be reached at its Embassy in Washington, D.C. at 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; telephone (202) 234-6108; fax: (202) 234-6109 for the most current visa information.
Travelers entering Montenegro by motor vehicle are required to pay an annual eco-tax. For passenger vehicles, the tax ranges in price from 10 Euros to 50 Euros depending on the size of the vehicle. Travelers are required to declare currency in excess of 3,000 Euros upon entry and must obtain from customs officials a declaration form that must be presented at departure. Failure to comply may result in confiscation of funds and criminal proceedings.
Registration with Local Authorities: Visitors staying in private accommodations other than hotels must register with the police station responsible for the area in which they are staying within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to comply may result in a fine, incarceration, and/or expulsion. Persons who fail to register may face difficulties in departing the country. Visitors staying in hotels or tourist facilities are automatically registered with the police by the hotel.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Threats to American interests are rare. Demonstrations, usually related to political activities, labor conditions or sporting
events, have been peaceful or exhibited only low levels of violence.
Montenegrin nightclubs and tourist centers are popular with foreign tourists. Patrons should be aware that these establishments
can be crowded and may not comply with western standards for occupancy control and fire safety.
Travelers in the region may wish to consider the safety of public transportation, including trains and buses, in view of aging
and poorly maintained equipment.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada,
or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State’s information on A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Street crime in Podgorica is at a level to be expected for a small European city of 170,000 people. Residential break-ins
present the greatest security concern for expatriates in Montenegro; however, the number is still relatively small. Violent
crime is limited. Police have a limited ability to provide services in English.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency lines in Montenegro are 122 for police; 123 for the fire department and 124 for an ambulance.
For additional assistance see our information for Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the U.S.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties
for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Montenegrin law,
even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. The Montenegrin criminal justice system operates very slowly with
legal proceedings involving serious charges frequently continuing for 2-3 years before a decision. Penalties for possession,
use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Montenegro are strict and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy
fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime,
prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Dual U.S./Montenegrin nationals may be subject to laws that impose special obligations on Montenegrin citizens. According to Montenegro's Constitution adopted on October 19, 2007, all citizens may retain dual citizenship for one year while the Montenegrin government signs bilateral memoranda with individual countries. Currently, Montenegro has a bilateral citizenship agreement with Macedonia only. As of August 30, 2006, Montenegrin men are no longer required by Montenegrin law to perform military service.
There are occasional water and electricity outages during peak summer season due to high demand.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Although many physicians in Montenegro are highly trained, hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped or maintained to Western standards. Medicines and basic medical supplies are largely obtainable in privately owned pharmacies. Hospitals and private clinics usually require payment in cash for all services. Montenegro has a small number of ambulances and consequently, emergency services are generally responsive in only the most severe cases. Otherwise, people are expected to provide their own transportation to hospitals and clinics.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Montenegro.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site . Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Americans are strongly encouraged to buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation if their policy does not apply overseas.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Montenegro is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Roads in Montenegro are often poorly maintained, especially in rural areas. Dangerous areas for road travel include a road called "Moraca Canyon," north of Podgorica. This is a twisting, two-lane road that is especially overcrowded in the summer. In the winter, the "Moraca Canyon" and northern parts of Montenegro are covered with snow, which may slow down traffic. Roads that lead to the Montenegro coastal areas are in better condition, but are overcrowded during summer season. Drivers should exercise extreme caution, as it is common for Montenegrin drivers to attempt to pass on winding roads and hills. Local drivers can be reckless and aggressive, and accidents are frequent.
The use of seat belts is mandatory and cell phone usage while driving is prohibited. Traffic law requires that vehicle lights must be switched on at all times while driving. A driver with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.5 g/kg (US equivalent of 0.05) is considered intoxicated. Roadside assistance is available by dialing 19807, +382 (0)20 234 467 or +382 (0)20 234 999. Other emergency numbers are police: 122, fire department: 123, and ambulance: 124.
Metered taxi service is safe and reasonably priced, although foreigners are sometimes charged higher rates. It is advisable to negotiate a price in advance of travel by taxi between cities.
Please refer to our Road Safety page and to Montenegro’s national tourist office for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Since Montenegro’s independence, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not separately assessed the Government of Montenegro’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. However, the FAA earlier assessed the Government of Serbia and Montenegro’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with ICAO standards for oversight of Serbia and Montenegro’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA web site.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Montenegro are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Montenegro. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica is located at Ljubljanska bb, tel: +382 (0) 20 410 500, fax: +382 (0) 20 241 358. For after-hour emergencies, please call +382 (0) 67 283 584. You may also visit the Embassy web site.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Montenegro dated November 26, 2008 to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements,
Safety and Security, Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions and Special Circumstances.
