Risk level

Safety and security

Area bordering Kosovo and southern border

Exercise caution in the border area with Kosovo and avoid all areas of security force activities along the southern border. The only official entry/exit point into Kosovo is the Kula pass (Rožaje-Peć road).

Crime

The crime rate is low. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs on public transportation and in other public places, particularly during the summer tourist season from May to September.

• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Don’t show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money

Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are targeted by car thieves more than other models.

• Avoid leaving luggage or valuables in the vehicle

Use secure parking facilities

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. There is a potential for other violent incidents.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time, especially in the vicinity of official buildings.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Most roads are poorly maintained and secondary roads are narrow. The Morača Canyon road is particularly dangerous due to poor road conditions and traffic congestion.

Drivers do not always follow safe driving practices.

Expect delays due to heavy traffic on major routes, particularly during the summer tourist season.

Roadside assistance is available by calling 19807.

Public transportation

Public transportation systems are available in most cities and larger towns. A number of companies offer regular domestic and international bus services. Train service is also available; however, it is slow and often subject to delays

Use only officially marked taxis. To avoid being overcharged, obtain a price estimate in advance and ensure that the taxi driver is using the meter.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Montenegrin authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave from Montenegro.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days

Business visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days

Student visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days

Temporary residence permit

If you need to stay longer than the 90 days permitted without visa, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at least one week before the 90-day period expires. For more information, contact the Embassy of Montenegro. 

Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Work permits

If you need to apply for a work permit, you must provide criminal record check issued in Canada.

Registration

You must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival in Montenegro. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel. If you are not staying in a hotel, registration must be organized by your host. Failure to register can result in fines and difficulties when departing.

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

In some areas in Southern Europe, food and water can also carry diseases like hepatitis A. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Southern Europe. When in doubt, remember…boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in Southern Europe, certain insects carry and spread diseases like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Some infections found in Southern Europe, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Canada and Montenegro are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Montenegro to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Montenegrin authorities. This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Illegal activities

Photography

Photography of military or police installations, vehicles and personnel is prohibited, unless authorized by the Ministry of Defence.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences and heavy fines.

Useful links

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Identification

You must carry photo identification, such as a passport, at all times and present it to local authorities upon request. You could be fined if you fail to do so.

Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it’s lost or confiscated.

LGBTQ2 travellers

Montenegrin law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in country Montenegrin society.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Montenegro.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Montenegro, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Montenegro.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Montenegro, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Montenegrin court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Montenegro to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Driving

You should carry an international driving permit

More about the International Driving Permit

Vehicle insurance

Drivers of vehicles bearing foreign licence plates must be in possession of vehicle insurance.

Eco-tax

The Montenegrin government introduced an eco-tax for using road vehicles. Foreign nationals must pay the tax when entering Montenegro by car. The fee is determined according to the make and size of the vehicle. The eco-sticker obtained upon payment of the tax is valid for one year and must be displayed on the inside of the front windscreen in the upper right-hand corner.

Speed limits

Posted speed limits are strictly enforced. There have been incidents where police target vehicles with foreign plates, often demanding immediate cash payment for alleged traffic violations. If you are stopped, request a full explanation and, if an explanation is not forthcoming, ask permission to speak to the Embassy of Canada to Serbia in Belgrade.

Mandatory safety features

The use of headlights and seatbelts is mandatory at all times, as is the use of car seats for children under the age of 5.

All vehicles must have:

• high-visibility vests (to be carried in the passenger compartment, not the trunk) for the driver and any passenger who leaves the vehicle in case of breakdown
• a European car incident report form
• a spare bulb set
• first aid kit
• a warning triangle

Snow tires

Snow tires are required and snow chains must be carried in the car between November 15 and March 31.

Use of a cellular telephone

The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited.

Drinking and driving

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.03 percent. A person visibly under the influence of alcohol may not travel on the front passenger seat.

Damage on vehicle

If your vehicle is visibly damaged it must be certified by the authorities at the frontier when entering Montenegro. You will be issued with a certificate that must be produced when leaving the country.

Money

The currency of Montenegro is the euro (EUR).

You must make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if you have at least €10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies. The sum can be in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller’s cheques or any other convertible assets. 

Natural disasters and climate

Seismic activity

Montenegro is located in an active seismic zone.

Bush and forest fires

Bush and forest fires are common in the summer months in the coastal and central regions.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. In case of a major fire, stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments. Always follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel. Monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation.