Montenegro Coronavirus Information

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Up-to-date information on travel to Montenegro during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Current Status of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Montenegro

Total infected: 3857
Currently infected: 1104
Hospitalised: 150
Recovered: 2680
Deaths: 73
Under observation: 2172

Travel to Montenegro During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Montenegro has opened its borders to nationals of certain countries and there are different rules for different countries. 

Montenegro has divided the countries that can enter into three lists: green, yellow and red. You’ll need to read the rules carefully to figure out whether you can come to Montenegro and what you’ll need to be able to enter the country. 

Citizenship vs Residency

There has been some confusion about residency vs citizenship and which is valid. The Montenegrin official stance is:

“Upon entry, the country of which the person is a resident is observed, not the country of which the person is a national if it is not the same country. For example: a citizen of a country off the list with a regular residence in the country on the list is treated as a citizen of the country on the list because he or she is a resident of the country on the list.”

Green list COuntries

Nationals from green list countries are free to enter Montenegro with no restrictions as long as they:

  • Are a resident in a green list country or have been in a green list country for the last 15 days
  • Have not been in any non-green list countries in the past 15 days
  • Have not travelled through any non-green list countries in the past 15 days except in transit

Green list countries are:

  • European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden)
  • Algiers
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Azerbaijan
  • Barbados
  • Brunei
  • Belarus
  • Canada
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Cuba
  • Fiji
  • Georgia
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Lichtenstein
  • Madagascar
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Senegal
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Yellow List Countries

Nationals from yellow list countries need to provide a negative PCR, ELISA or ECLIA test that’s no more than 72 hours old. Children under five don’t need to provide a test and can enter freely without one.

Yellow list countries are:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Kosovo
  • Israel
  • Singapore
  • Seychelles
  • Lebanon
  • Australia

Red List Countries

If you’re from any country that’s not on either the green or yellow lists, you’re considered to be from a red list country. That means you can’t enter Montenegro unless you can prove (with a passport stamp) that you’ve spent the last 15 days in a country included on the green list and that you haven’t been to any non-green list country in that time.

Exceptions

There are exceptions to the entry requirements for:

  • Health workers, health researchers and scientists
  • People who transport passengers or goods
  • Diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers
  • Passengers in transit
  • Refugees

Rules for Montenegrin Citizens and Residents

If you’re a Montenegrin citizen or have Montenegrin residency (permanent or temporary), you can enter Montenegro no matter where you’re coming from. The conditions of entry depend on where you're coming from.

no Restrictions

You can freely enter Montenegro if:

  • You’re returning from a green list country
  • You’ve spent at least 15 days in a green list country before entering Montenegro
  • You haven’t stayed in any non-green list country in the last 15 days
  • You haven’t entered any non-green list country, except in transit

Entry with a Negative Test

If you’re returning from a yellow list country you need to provide a negative COVID-19 test that’s no more than 72 hours old and:

  • You’re returning from a green list or yellow list country
  • You’ve spent at least 15 days in green zone or yellow zone countries before entering Montenegro
  • You haven’t stayed in any non-green list or yellow list countries in the last 15 days
  • You haven’t entered any non-green list or yellow list countries, except in transit

Children under five don’t need to be tested.

Quarantine and Self-Isolation

If you’re returning from a red list country you’ll need to either go into government-provided quarantine or self-isolation. This includes if you’ve stayed in or travelled through any country that’s not on the green or yellow lists.

How to Travel to Montenegro

Air Travel to Montenegro

Commercial Flights

The Montenegrin airports in both Podgorica and Tivat are open, though there is a reduced number flights. There are flight connections only with countries on the green list.

One of the main issues with flying to Montenegro at the moment is that flights are being cancelled or rescheduled, which makes it hard to guarantee your arrival on time.

Private Planes

The passengers and crew on private planes from any other country must also provide a negative PCR, ELISA or ECLIA test for COVID-19 that’s no more than 72 hours old.

Travel to Montenegro by Car

Montenegro’s land borders are open and you can arrive by car to Montenegro, however there are closed borders at:

  • Vraćenovići
  • Vuča
  • Šćepan Polje
  • Meteljka

You do need to adhere to the rules above. So, if you’re travelling on a passport from a green zone country, you can enter via the Montenegro-Croatia border with no test or quarantine required. But if you’re travelling on a passport from a yellow zone country, you’ll need to provide a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. If you’re travelling on a passport from any other country you’ll be denied entry at the border.

Rail Travel to Montenegro

All rail travel to Montenegro is suspended.

Sea Travel to Montenegro

Montenegro’s ports are open and you can arrive by boat to Montenegro.

Bus Travel to Montenegro

All international bus services are currently suspended.

Travel to Montenegro VIA Croatia

Since Montenegro is very close to Croatia and it’s only a 20 minute drive from Dubrovnik Airport (Čilipi Airport) to the border, flying into Dubrovnik and driving across is a popular way to get here.

To do this you’ll need to satisfy Croatian entry requirements as well as Montenegrin ones. And you may need to adjust your cross-border transport plans since buses and taxis are restricted.

Transport Across the Border

You’ll need to hire a car or arrange transfers because while a Croatian taxi driver can drive you from the airport into Montenegro, a Montenegrin taxi driver can’t drive you back across to the airport because Montenegrins aren’t allowed to enter Croatia yet. A Montenegrin driver can drive you through the Montenegrin border checkpoint, the 5km of no-man’s land to the Croatian checkpoint and you can pass that checkpoint on foot. Then, you can get a Croatian taxi from there. You’ll need a transfer company to arrange this for you because there are no taxis at the Croatian border checkpoint.

Read More: Montenegro Croatia Border >

Croatian Entry Requirements

You’ll also need to fulfil Croatian entry requirements. At the moment, Croatia is open to all EU and EEA nationals. Everyone entering Croatia must fill in an entry form. You can save yourself time by filling it in online instead of doing it at the border, and you can find that form here: https//entercroatia.mup.hr/. The form is valid for 90 days once you’ve filled it in.

If you’re not from an EU/EEA country you must prove that you have an accommodation booking and you have to fill in the form at https://entercroatia.mup.hr/.

You must also:

  • Show a negative PCR test that no more than 48 hours old, or
  • Have a place to self-isolate for 14 days. You can shorten this to seven days if you test negative for SARS-CoV-2 after seven days (at your own cost). If you plan to enter Croatia and self-isolate you have to request permission by emailing [email protected] in advance.

Safety Measures in Montenegro

Masks

Masks are compulsory both indoors and outdoors. This is enforced with hefty fines both on businesses and individuals. The exceptions are on beaches, in national parks and for children under seven.

Social Distancing

Social distancing of 2m and there are limits to the maximum number of people allowed in a space, for example, one person per 10m2 in shops and gyms.

Disinfectant

Businesses must provide hand sanitiser for employees and customers and you’ll find it almost everywhere.

Restaurants, Beaches and Bars

  • All nightclubs in Montenegro are closed but bars and restaurants are open and often have live music
  • Restaurants and cafes can be open between 6am and 12am
  • No dancing

Additional Rules in Podgorica, Cetinje, Pljevlja, Plužine, Žabljak, Šavnik, Nikšić, Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Andirjevica, Petnjica, Plav, Rožaje and Gusinje:

  • Maximum of two people at indoor tables and four people at outdoor tables
  • No self-service or standing at the bar
  • Two metres between tables

More Precautions

  • Public gatherings are limited to 40 people in outdoor spaces and 20 people in indoor spaces
  • No spectators at sporting events
  • No gatherings like weddings and birthdays
  • Funerals can be attended by immediate family only

What to Do if You Suspect You Have Coronavirus

If you suspect you have COVID-19 or have come in contact with someone who has the coronavirus you must call 1616 to find out what to do next.

Official Information Sources

This is a summary of the relevant rules that will affect you if you’re travelling to Montenegro and I aim to keep this as up to date as possible. As the rules and procedures can change at any time, please check the official government websites.

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