Living in Montenegro as a French National: Formalities, Cities, Daily Life

Montenegro appeals through a renowned Adriatic coast, mountains and five national parks (Durmitor, Biogradska, Lovćen, Prokletije, Lake Skadar), a familiar currency, the euro, and a size that allows you to go from sea to mountains in a few hours. Tourism represents about 25% of GDP according to France Diplomatie, which animates the coastal towns. Direct air links with Paris operate from spring to autumn, with seasonal routes from Podgorica to Nantes, Mulhouse and Lyon; the country has two international airports, Podgorica and Tivat.

The downsides should be prepared for before departure. France Diplomatie describes road safety as a major problem: frequent disregard of the highway code, narrow and winding mountain roads, poor secondary infrastructure, old vehicles. Public transport in Podgorica is limited; the rail network is slowed by the state of the tracks. European Union roaming rules do not apply, which encourages taking out a local plan. The public health system is described as average and limited: the guide Montenegrin healthcare system details this point.

Podgorica, the capital, has about 177,000 inhabitants; then come Nikšić, Bijelo Polje, Bar and Budva (France Diplomatie). The coast, from Bar to the Bay of Kotor, concentrates tourism and foreign residents: France Diplomatie points out that the coastal road between Budva and the Bay of Kotor is often congested and under widening works. A 4 km tunnel links Podgorica to the coast, and the Podgorica-Kolašin motorway, opened in July 2022, is a toll road.

Hiking calls for preparation: it is inadvisable to go alone in the mountains or to stray from marked trails without a local guide, and mobile coverage is often weak at altitude, hence the advice to take a satellite phone. Local agencies also offer excursions to neighbouring countries: France Diplomatie invites travellers to check the entry conditions of each in advance.

The currency is the euro, accepted almost everywhere, by card as well as in cash, with cash machines in the main cities. The Statistical Office of Montenegro (Monstat) publishes wages and prices every month. These benchmarks place the local standard of living: a household that keeps its income in euros mainly compares its housing, transport and health insurance costs.

The France Diplomatie pages give no average level of rents. A written lease, translated and signed with the owner, protects the tenant and serves as supporting evidence at residence registration. Taxis are relatively cheap, with drivers who rarely speak a foreign language: the price should be agreed in advance, in particular in Budva or at Tivat airport; the trip between Podgorica airport and the centre is at a fixed rate of 15 euros.

European Union citizens do not need a visa for a stay of under 90 days. For under 30 days, a valid national identity card is enough; beyond 30 days, a passport is required. France Diplomatie states that stays of more than three months require an application and recommends starting the procedures very early, as delays are long; the travel document must remain valid for at least three months after the end of the visa. Identity cards issued to adults since 1 January 2014 are valid for 15 years; those issued between 2004 and 2013 remain usable 5 years after the expiry date printed on the back, which the Montenegrin authorities have officially accepted, but the passport is recommended.

A foreigner staying with a private individual registers within 24 hours of arrival with the local tourist organisation or the foreigners’ police inspector of the municipal police station; a fine of at least 60 euros penalises failure to do so. The page consulted does not describe long-stay residence permits: their detail should be confirmed with the Montenegrin embassy in Paris and the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior. A driver entering with a vehicle must be its owner and prove ownership (original registration document and insurance), failing which the border police may refuse entry. See also working in Montenegro and retiring in Montenegro.

A French school opened its doors on 3 September 2018 (France Diplomatie, Bilateral relations page). The same page mentions about 160 French residents and growing tourist numbers; it also mentions the creation, by an agreement signed in Podgorica on 4 March 2019, of the Balkan Institute of Sciences and Innovation in partnership with the University of Montenegro, and recalls that Montenegro has been an observer of La Francophonie since October 2010. Enrolment arrangements are requested from the school and from the French embassy in Podgorica (98 George Washington boulevard).

For families, organising children’s health cover is one of the first decisions: see expat family insurance.

France Diplomatie rates the whole of Montenegro as a zone of normal vigilance. Petty crime remains relatively low, but thefts and attempted thefts have increased, especially in Podgorica and on the tourist coast; cybercrime calls for caution on public wifi networks. Score-settling between organised criminal groups, with gunfire and explosive attacks, may occur, the risk of being caught up in it being considered minimal. The embassy recalls that its capacity to help in a crisis is limited and that travellers remain responsible for their own safety: you should check your insurance and keep funds for any hospitalisation, repatriation or evacuation.

Wearing a seat belt is compulsory, using a phone at the wheel is prohibited, headlights must be on at all times, and children aged 5 and under must be in a child seat. The vehicle must carry a high-visibility vest, a warning triangle and a European accident report form in Montenegrin. Winter tyres and chains are compulsory from 15 November to 30 March (Safety page); the Useful information page gives 1 April as the end of the period, hence the value of checking the date in force. The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.3 g/l. Fines are paid within 8 days at the post office or a bank. The seismic risk is real (last major earthquake in 1979 on the coast), summer fires are numerous and flash floods can strike in winter and spring. The useful numbers are 112 (common emergency), 122 (police), 123 (fire brigade) and 124 (ambulance).

France Diplomatie describes a semi-continental climate, with very cold winters in the mountains, wet areas elsewhere and summer peaks around 40 °C, especially inland; the coast and Podgorica receive heavy rain in winter, and the mountain ranges are among the wettest in Europe. The official language is Montenegrin; Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian are common. Health staff rarely speak English, and assistance is less than in the European Union: France Diplomatie advises, beyond first aid, returning to France for treatment, and an insurance or assistance contract covering all medical costs, surgery, hospitalisation and repatriation. See healthcare reimbursement in Montenegro and expat health insurance.