Guidance

Living in Montenegro

Advice for British people living in Montenegro, including information on health, education, benefits, and residence requirements.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
24 October 2013
Last updated
5 September 2024 — See all updates

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Montenegro. Read about how our embassy in Podgorica can help. 

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Montenegrin authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information. 

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad  and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

Stay informed of our work in Montenegro and follow our social media channels:

Before you go

See our travel advice for Montenegro for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies. 

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Montenegro in our travel advice.

When applying for a Montenegrin visa or a residency permit, you may be asked for your police certificate from the UK.  You can apply for it by filing the online application form available at the ACRO website.

You can get the ACRO Police certificate legalised by applying for that service from the Legalisation Office. The British Embassy cannot provide legalisation services.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Montenegro.

Check the Montenegro travel advice for passport validity requirements.

If you need to travel urgently and your UK passport is lost, stolen, damaged or otherwise unavailable, you can consider applying for the Emergency Travel Document.

Healthcare in Montenegro

British nationals who are resident in the UK and eligible to access NHS treatment in the UK are  entitled to free emergency medical treatment during their stay in Montenegro.

In order to exercise this right to free, urgent medical care in Montenegro, you must have:

You must take your passport and GHIC or HMRC certificate to the branch office of the Montenegrin Health Insurance Fund in the town where you have registered your stay. You will then get a certificate that you can take to your medical appointment. If you don’t present this certificate you may have to pay for treatment.

If you have moved to Montenegro on a long-term basis, you might no longer be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This depends on whether you are:

  • living abroad permanently
  • only working outside the UK for a set period
  • a recipient of a UK State Pension or other UK benefits

For more information visit the NHS Moving Abroad page.

When you pay for medical treatment at public health institutions in Montenegro, you should get a receipt. You should pay the same fees as non-insured Montenegrin citizens. Cash payment might be the only option in some of settings.

If you’re registered as being resident and in employment in Montenegro and make social security contributions there, you’re entitled to the same health benefits as an insured Montenegrin national. Your employer should be able to obtain a local Medical Card for you and your dependant family. Find more information from the Montenegrin National Health Insurance Fund.

The reciprocal healthcare agreement for UK nationals only applies to public healthcare facilities.

Medicine

If you are on prescription medication, you should ensure you have enough for your stay in Montenegro, or that you are able to obtain it when in Montenegro. You may be prohibited from bringing some medicines into the country because they’re not available in the Montenegro: this includes some major brands readily available in the UK.

You should consult your GP before travelling to find out about any alternative medication.

According to local regulations, you cannot receive parcels with medicines through the post. Such packages will be returned to the sender.

When travelling to Montenegro, you may carry up to a 6-month supply of medicines for personal use. If your medicine contains narcotic substances, then the amount is reduced to the prescribed quantity required for up to 30 days.

You should have a certificate or prescription issued in your name, by a relevant medical specialist. This needs to be dated  within the last 90 days of you date of entering Montenegro. If you don’t have this documentation, the drugs will be confiscated, and you may be fined.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines. 

Working in Montenegro

British nationals may work in Montenegro, providing you have a work permit.

To obtain a work permit, if you are abroad, you should contact the Montenegro Embassy in the UK.

If you are already in Montenegro, seek advice from the police for foreigners based in the municipality where you have registered your stay. You have to submit your application for a temporary residence permit and work permit in person, on the specified form, to the local office of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro in your place of residence.

Read the Montenegrin government’s guidance on working in Montenegro as a foreign national, information about types of visa and procedure how to get a visa.

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Montenegro. Read guidance on how to get your qualification recognized in Montenegro.

If you need a professional service provider in Montenegro, such as an English speaking lawyer, interpreters and translators see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad.

Education in Montenegro

Educational institutions in Montenegro can be public or private. The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovations is in charge of the overall education policy. Education is provided in preschool institutions, schools, educational centres, resource centres, by adult education providers, at universities, faculties, art academies and higher vocational schools.

Education in Montenegro starts in either pre-school or primary school. Children enrol in primary schools at the age of 6 and it lasts for nine years. Primary education is compulsory for all children age 6 to 15 years and is free of charge. Schools are mixed sex.

Foreign citizens who have either temporary or permanent residence in Montenegro have the same rights to access education as Montenegrin citizens. Foreigners are entitled to enrol in a higher education study program in Montenegro under the same conditions as Montenegrin citizens.

Language of instruction in educational institutions is the official, Montenegrin language. Classes are also held in other languages in official use: Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian.

Read more about education in Montenegro.

Check which type of visa or residence permit you may need with the Montenegro Embassy in the UK.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Montenegro so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief. 

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Montenegro. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Montenegro.

Read guidance on:

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

If you spend time in both the UK and another country, and are unsure about how this affects your UK pension, benefit and healthcare rights, always consult the relevant UK authority and the local pension office where they will tell you what you are able to claim.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

If you have a valid temporary or permanent resident permit in Montenegro, you have rights to child and social protection in Montenegro in accordance to the national Law. Contact the nearest centre for social work to you in Montenegro for advice and support.

Pensions

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension. 

If you retire in Montenegro, you can claim your UK state pensionor new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre.

Life certificates for UK state pensions

If you get a life certificate from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Accommodation and buying property

You do not need to be resident in Montenegro to buy property or land. The regulations for third-country nationals apply.

Read:

Driving in Montenegro

To drive in Montenegro, you must have a valid driving licence. If you are taking your car, you must have vehicle registration/ownership documents and a locally-valid insurance policy.

The Embassy cannot issue or renew a UK driving licence. Please contact the DVLA for information about renewing a licence or applying for a new licence.

The  Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro is the responsible authority for replacing foreign driving licences and registration of vehicles.

The Embassy is aware of the current policy by the local authorities to retain British driver’s licences when applying for a Montenegrin driver’s licence. Please note: UK driving licences seized by the Montenegrin authorities are returned to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK.

Driving abroad

If you are planning to drive in Montenegro, see information on driving abroad and read the [RAC guide].

If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).

Guidance for travelling by road in Montenegro see FCDO Travel Advice for Montenegro.

If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Montenegro you should register the birth with the local authorities.  You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.   

Deaths

If someone dies in Montenegro read our guidance on:

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Pets

You can bring up to 5 pets for non-commercial purpose, each at least 3 months old, as long as:

  • they are microchipped
  • have a valid international pet passport
  • have a proof of rabies vaccination, which took place at least 21 days prior entry date when the animal was at least 12 weeks old
  • have a titre test against rabies made 30 days after the rabies vaccination, issued within 30 days before the travel
  • pet has been treated against Echinococcus multilocularis in a prescribed way before entry and exit from Montenegro
  • have veterinary certificate of animal health status

Pets must be accompanied by the owner or an authorised person. 

You should contact the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs if additional information is needed. 

Emergencies

The support for British nationals abroad page lists guidance on how you can help yourself stay safe abroad, and the help the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.

Dial 122 for the police, ambulance, or fire brigade.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Podgorica.

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Montenegro, read the Montenegro specific guidance on what to do and where to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault.

More details on your rights and obligations in relation to your contact with the local police in Montenegro are available in the Handbook “Citizens and the Police” on the NGO Human Rights Action website.

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.

If you are in need of professional service providers in Montenegro, like English speaking lawyers, interpreters and translators see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Updates to this page

Published 24 October 2013
Last updated 5 September 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated details on rights and obligations in relation to contact with the local police in Montenegro.

  2. The guidance has been fully reviewed and updated where necessary.

  3. Updated links to the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Montenegro.

  4. General update of information for UK nationals living in Montenegro

  5. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines

  6. Updated information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) measures.

  7. Added phone number for Institute for Public Health in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

  8. Updated information on driving licences and vehicles

  9. Editorial changes to the "Living in Montenegro" guide.

  10. Update of list of medical facilities in Montenegro.

  11. First published.

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