Explore: Montenegro - Formalities
Clearance
Yachts approaching Montenegro coast should expect to be intercepted by naval craft patrolling the area.
Arrival and Departure processes are made to be as effortless as possible, even officially encouraged to be so by the Montenegrin tourism ministry. If you choose to not stay at a marina, it may benefit you to stay one night at arrival and then one night prior to departure in order to expedite and simplify the arrival process.
Arrivals
All foreign-flagged yachts should fly the Q-flag with the Montenegrin courtesy flag. All vessels must also immediately proceed to the nearest Port of Entry and contact the harbour master PRIOR to landing. Most marina offices will direct you to either a berth or the customs dock (if there is one).
Most marinas will be able to arrange transportation to the immigration officials (if off-site) for the skipper. All crew must remain on board until clearance formalities have been completed.
Whilst in Montenegrin waters VHF Channel 16 should be monitored constantly and if contacted by a naval vessel, the radio operator of the yacht will be expected to give the following information: name of the yacht, international callsign, flag, port of registration, last port of call, destination. The name of the owner and the general description of the cargo is sometimes also requested. Failure to respond guarantees a visit from the authorities.
All yachts must proceed to the nearest Port of Entry using VHF Channel 16. Ports of Entry are Bar, Zelenika, Tivat, and Kotor. Cruisers MUST check in before anchoring or proceeding to any other minor ports.
Yachts coming from the south usually clear in at Bar. Yachts coming from the north may clear in at Zelenika, Tivat, or Kotor.
Yachts must purchase a cruising permit (a “vignette”), valid for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or one year. This has to be purchased at the Harbour Master’s office. See fees below for details. There is a fee for clearance and allow half a day for formalities.
Note: Visiting yachts, for whatever reason (fuel, water etc.) are required to clear-in and will be obliged to pay for a cruising permit.
Departures
When departing from Montenegro to another country, you must conduct the proper departure procedures. Mostly it is the arrival process but in reverse. Marina offices usually assist with the departure procedures. The typical process will include:
- Update crew and passenger list (if required)
- Ensure permits are “voided” for departure
All crew (except the skipper) must stay on board as soon as the departure process begins.
Last updated February 2018.
Immigration
All visitors require a valid passport except those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia who only require an ID card. EU citizen who enters the country with only an I.D. card may stay for 30 days only.
Note: With the current refugee crisis, it is advisable that everyone has a valid passport. (Jan 2016)
Ensure your passport is stamped on entry otherwise you may face difficulties when leaving.
No visas are needed for stays up to 90 days for the following countries:
Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, El Salvador, San Marino, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Other nationalities require visas, which cannot be obtained on arrival. There are consulates in Bucharest, Sofia, Athens and Tirana.
Citizens with a valid Schengen visas from other Schengen countries, a valid visa of the United States of America, or a permission to stay in these countries may enter and stay (i.e., pass through) the territory of Montenegro up to seven days, and not longer than the expiry of visa if the period of validity of visa is less than seven days.
Last updated February 2018.
Customs
Foreign yachts are able to stay in Montenegrin waters nearly indefinitely with unlimited crew changes. Obviously, the crew on board may not stay indefinitely, but they yacht is able to do so.
It is essential to declare all hard currency to avoid it being confiscated on departure.
A firearms certificate must be held if there are any such weapons on board, including a flare pistol.
It is possible to purchase duty-free fuel after clearing out; however, apparently, this requires the services of an agent, which costs around 100€.
Last updated February 2018.
Health
Tap water is usually drinkable in most cities. Water at the dockside is usually potable. Some visitors have reported a slightly upset stomach due to the difference in treatment technique from elsewhere in the EU.
Herceg Novi caution: It is advised that you do not drink the water in Herceg Novi in the month of May as they close off and clean the pipes from the main reservoir and revert to a local reservoir. This local reservoir is reported to be less clean.
Hospitals
The health system in Montenegro can suffer from a shortage of medicines and other essentials. Medical staff do not always speak English.
Documents
Documents required are…
• Yacht registration/documentation documents
• A full crew and guest list (with name, nationality, passport no., date and place of birth, position on board)
• Official document stating a maximum number of crew and guests. NOTE: The number on board must not exceed the safe capacity rated for the vessel (re: CE Mark).
• Captain’s License or International Certificate of Competence
• If the owner is not aboard: Letter of appointment for the skipper that is signed and stamped by owning/management company
• Evidence of third-party liability insurance policy
• A list of any tenders/dinghies (with evidence of insurance coverage)
• It is suggested to have an itemized list of expensive items on board (for example: computers, cameras, jewelry, other electronics that are detachable from the vessel).
Note that without the correct documents you will be denied entry into the country; however, you may be permitted to refuel and re-provision whilst on the Customs berth.
Fees
As of early 2017, the city of Tivat is charging a new “Tourist Tax”. This was €40 for 2 people for 1 month for a 16-metre sailboat. It is not clear whether the tax could be avoided by arriving in a different port of entry, or whether other municipalities also feature this “innovation.”
Cruising permits (vignettes) can be purchased at the Harbour Master’s office of the Port of Entry. Costs appear to be changed annually. (For example in 2019 a vignette for one week for a 11.5m boat costs 27€ and a 11.5m catamaran costs 84€)
If you are planning on keeping your boat in a marina or on the hard and not moving, a cruising permit is not required.
Current Cruising Permit fees (quoted in Euros by the Maritime Safety Department of Montenegro) can be calculated at http://yachtagent.blogspot.com/2015/05/vignette-in-montenegro.html
Translation help notes:-
camac do 7m is boat up to 7m
jahta sa pogonom na jedra is ‘Yacht with motorsailors’
jahta na motomi pogon is a motor yacht
visetrupna jahta is a multi-hull yacht
jahta preko 24m bez obzira pogon i vrstu trupai’ is All yacht over 24m regardless of operation and type of hull
Last updated: August 2019
