Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit100 km/h
- Emergency112
Montenegro drives on the right. The emergency number is 112.
0.3 g/l (stricter than most of Europe)
Driving tips
- The drink-drive limit of 0.3 g/l is stricter than the EU average. A pint of beer the night before can still put you over at breakfast. Treat it as effectively zero tolerance.
- Fuel stations are widespread on main routes but sparse in the mountains. Fill up before crossing Durmitor or the Tara canyon.
- Police checks on main roads are common and routine. Have your documents ready and be polite. On-the-spot fines are the norm for minor offences.
- Roads in Montenegro have improved dramatically in the last decade, but potholes, livestock, and rockfall remain realistic hazards, especially after heavy rain.
- Parking in Kotor, Budva, and the old towns along the coast is very limited. Use designated motorhome parking outside the walls rather than trying to squeeze into a town-centre space.
Worth knowing before you go.
There is only one short section of motorway in Montenegro, the A1 between Podgorica (Smokovac) and Matesevo. Everywhere else you are on primary (magistralni) or regional roads, most of which are single-carriageway.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsMixed
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneNone
The Sozina tunnel is the main road link between Podgorica and the coast (avoiding the slower coastal mountain road). It is worth the toll for the time saved.
The A1 motorway section between Smokovac (just outside Podgorica) and Matesevo is currently the only tolled motorway section in the country. It cuts a significant amount of time off the journey north towards the Serbian border.
Montenegro does not use a vignette. You pay per-journey at the Sozina tunnel and on the A1 motorway section.
Low emission zones
Montenegro has no low emission zones and no Crit'Air-style sticker system.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit2 items
- Documents4 items
Montenegro requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- First Aid Kit.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- Spare Bulbs. Carry 1 set.
- Tow Rope.
- Snow Chains. Carry 1 set.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport (stamped on entry and exit), UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate plus Green Card covering Montenegro and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingDish
- CurrencyEUR
- Emergency112
- Sunday shoppingLimited, typically morning only
LPG for Autogas refills is very limited in Montenegro, with roughly fifteen stations nationwide, mostly around Podgorica and along the coast. Plan refills carefully and top up whenever you get the chance.
Montenegro uses the Dish and Euronozzle fittings. A three-piece adapter set covers both.
For exchangeable bottles, Montenegro uses its own branded bottles with connections that are not compatible with UK Calor. If you rely on exchange bottles, you will struggle. A refillable system fitted before you leave the UK is strongly recommended for Balkan trips.
Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Campsites in Montenegro typically offer 6A to 10A hook-ups via the standard blue CEE plug. 16A pitches are rare. A UK-style hook-up lead will plug straight in.
Voltage drops are common, particularly on busy coastal sites in summer or on sites at the far end of a long distribution run. The nominal voltage is 230V but you may see 200-210V under load, which can be enough to trip some sensitive appliances or cause 3-way fridges to struggle on mains.
Polarity is mixed. Carry a plug-in socket tester and a crossover adapter lead in case you need to correct a reversed supply.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Voli, Idea; mid-range chains are Mercator MNE, Aroma, Mex; premium chains are Hyperia, Roda.
Typical opening hours: mon-sat 07:00/08:00 - 21:00; sunday 07:00-14:00 in most areas; full day in tourist zones (Budva, Kotor); where to buy Supermarkets.
Sunday trading is more generous in the coastal tourist belt than inland. In Podgorica and small inland towns, expect many shops to close by early afternoon on Sunday.
Local beer (Niksicko) and wine (Vranac) are both cheap and good. Rakija (fruit brandy) is the traditional spirit and well worth trying.
- Voli is the largest domestic chain and has taken over many former Mercator stores. It is your best bet in smaller towns.
- Local markets (pijaca) are excellent for fresh produce, cheese, honey, and smoked meats. Podgorica, Kotor, and Tivat all have good ones.
- Cash is still useful, particularly at small roadside stalls and in the mountains. Card acceptance is widespread in supermarkets and tourist areas but not universal.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenNo
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Montenegro, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm on entry to Montenegro. Not required
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Montenegro is outside the EU, so you are crossing a customs border on entry. Personal food allowances are typically up to 2 kg of meat and 2 kg of dairy. In practice, the food element is rarely the issue at the Montenegrin border, the Green Card insurance check is far more likely to delay you. Declare larger quantities of goods if asked.
Montenegro is outside Schengen.
EU: No. Montenegro is an EU candidate country but not yet a member. Schengen area: No. EES biometric checks: Not applicable (Montenegro sits outside the EU's EES scheme). Visa: UK citizens: visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Passport stamp: Yes, on both entry and exit. Currency: Euro (EUR). Unilaterally adopted, Montenegro is not a formal eurozone member. Green Card: Required. Several UK insurers need a policy extension. Mobile roaming: Outside EU roaming rules. Expect higher charges. Check with your provider.
Montenegro uses the euro despite not being in the EU or the eurozone. ATMs are widespread in towns; use major banks (NLB, CKB, Erste) to avoid high-fee independent machines.
Useful links
- AMSCG (Road info and breakdown)
- Montenegro Tourism (Official site)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Entry rules)
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
Do I need a visa to visit Montenegro in my motorhome?
No. UK citizens can enter Montenegro visa-free for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You will be stamped in and out of the country on your passport. Montenegro is not in the EU, not in Schengen, and not in the EES scheme, so the entry process is a traditional border check rather than a biometric one.
Does my UK insurance cover Montenegro?
Not automatically. Several UK motor insurers exclude Montenegro from their standard European cover and require a policy extension, sometimes at extra cost. Always ask for written confirmation that Montenegro is included and carry a Green Card that lists it. If your Green Card does not cover Montenegro, you will be required to buy local insurance at the border.
Are there motorway tolls in Montenegro?
Yes, but on a very small scale. Montenegro has one short section of motorway (the A1 between Smokovac and Matesevo) with a toll of around EUR 3.50 for a car. The Sozina tunnel on the main coast-to-Podgorica road also charges EUR 3.50-4.50. There is no vignette. All other roads are toll-free.
Can I take my dog to Montenegro in a motorhome?
Yes. Montenegro accepts a UK Animal Health Certificate along with a microchip and a rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old. No tapeworm treatment is required to enter Montenegro. For the return to the UK, your vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back.