At a time when countries all over the globe are more locked up and restricted than ever before, Montenegro goes completely against the grain and removes all their Covid-related entry requirements, making entry into the nation as simple as pre-pandemic times.
Important Update March 2021: Montenegro has now reinstated 48-hour PCR testing, but now allows for certain travelers to bypass it, like those who have recovered from the virus and those who have been fully vaccinated.
The original article continues below….
On January 12, 2021, Montenegro removed the PCR test and/or quarantine requirement for high-risk nations and stopped the use of their ‘country lists’, that dictated which nations could visit under which requirements. Now foreign arrivals from all nations are treated equally with having no entry restrictions when travelling to Montenegro.
Previously, visitors from higher-risk countries like the USA were required to being proof of a negative PCR test, performed no longer than 72-hours prior to arrival into Montenegro. Anyone that could not produce the test may still have been allowed entry, but with a 14-day quarantine.
Now that both the testing and quarantine requirements have been removed, all countries that can normally enter Montenegro under regular visa and immigration rules, can once again do so with no restrictions. In fact, Montenegro doesn’t even have a passenger locator form or health declaration form to fill out before entry, unlike 95% of all other countries at the moment.
Montenegro joins only 2 other countries worldwide that have absolutely zero covid-related entry requirements, Albania and North Macedonia. Travel between these Balkan neighbors just became increasingly easier as more land borders have also reopened.
There are a total of 7 nations worldwide without testing/quarantine requirements, but some still have forms to fill out, or travel insurance requirements.
Even though Montenegro has removed all their entry requirements, there are still a few things to know about visiting at this time.
Masks and Distancing
- The wearing of masks is required in all public spaces, both indoor and outdoor
- Members not in the same household are being asked to stay 2 metres apart
- Up to 4 people not in the same household can gather outdoors
Curfew
- A curfew is in effect daily from 10:00pm to 5:00am
Tourism
- Restaurants and cafes can be open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm for dine-in guests
- Rental homes are limited to 2 people unless they already live in the same household together
- Hotels are open for non-essential guests. In some cases, pools and/or gyms are also open inside the hotels
- Ski resorts are open with physical distancing measures
Apart from some enhanced sanitation measures and limited hours/capacity rules, visiting Montenegro right now won’t be far from the norm. Many couples separated by border closures can now use Montenegro as a place to meet up, as all nations can once again visit.
Flights into Montenegro
Turkish Airlines flies into Podgorica (TGD) airport daily from Istanbul, taking only 1.45 hours. Since Istanbul is still allowing people to transit without providing proof of a negative PCR test, flying into Montenegro through Turkey is a great option for international travelers.
Tourism in Montenegro
Just prior to the pandemic, tourism arrivals to Montenegro were at an all-time high. Closing the borders back in March and restricting tourism for the remainder of 2020 resulted in a 90% tourism revenue plummet. Last month the nation's finance minister said closing the borders over Covid worries was a mistake, one they don’t intend to repeat.
Although the winter season for Montenegro is certainly its lowest in terms for international arrivals, now being open to all nations without restriction will allow the country to start and rebuild its shattered tourism economy.
Jan Updated Note: Since publishing this article on January 15, Montenegro has re-instated the 72-hour PCR test requirement for ONLY passengers from the UK.
Feb Updated Note: Israel, India, Bahrain, Lebanon, South Africa, Brazil, USA, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Malta. , France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark will now also need a 72-hour PCR test to enter as of Feb 10, expected to last for the next 3-weeks.
Read More: See which countries are still open for tourism without testing/quarantines, travel insurance companies that offer health policies that cover covid.
Sources: Government of Montenegro / me.usembassy.gov /
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Originally published January 15 2021 with updates
James
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
Regarding your Feb Update: An American citizen has successfully crossed the border on the 16th of February from Albania to Montenegro.
He reported to the Expats in Albania facebook group that no PCR test was required.
Not sure where you got that information, but it might be false.
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
If he was coming from Albania he wouldn't have required one ;)
Somebody
Sunday 14th of February 2021
What are the requirements entering by land via BIH for example...? If I am EU citizen travelng by car and what to enter.
Kashlee Kucheran
Sunday 14th of February 2021
Land border information for many countries is hard to come by at this time. I don't have enough to advise.
Petr S
Thursday 28th of January 2021
I would like to warn people outside EU that the free-movement inside schengen doesn't work at all during the pandemic. Be very careful, you will need to check all entry requirements for all countries even inside schengen.
Jeanette
Tuesday 19th of January 2021
I'll humor you for a second – that wouldn't work. Bulgaria is not in Schengen and always has had border control to the Schengen zone even before this.
Christian
Monday 18th of January 2021
Looks like Montenegro is the new favorite bridge to travel to a EU country bypassing all entry requirements. Take a flight to Istanbul and transit to Montenegro. Stay 2 weeks in Montenegro and take a flight to Bulgaria through Istanbul. Bulgaria doesn’t have entry requirements for Montenegro. Once in Bulgaria, a EU member, take a flight to any other EU country without entry requirements from countries coming from another EU nation.