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Money and shopping

Montenegro uses the euro. Foreign visitors can get a VAT refund on goods over EUR 100. You must declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more at the border.

On this page
  1. Currency and VAT rates
  2. VAT refund for foreign visitors
  3. Fiscal receipts
  4. Tourist tax
  5. Cash at the border

Currency and VAT rates

The official currency is the euro (EUR). The VAT refund and the cash limit are also stated in EUR.

VAT rateApplies to
21%Standard rate
15%Accommodation in hospitality establishments
7%Some goods, for example basic foods, medicines and public passenger transport

VAT refund for foreign visitors

You can get a VAT refund (povraćaj PDV) if you have no permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro. The goods must be taken out of Montenegro.

Allowed

  • Goods on one invoice worth more than EUR 100
  • Several invoices issued the same day by the same seller, together more than EUR 100

Not allowed

  • Mineral oils
  • Alcohol and alcoholic drinks
  • Tobacco products
  1. Ask the seller for form PDV-PP. The seller fills it in three copies and attaches the invoice. You keep the original and one copy.
  2. Do not use the goods in Montenegro. Take them out of Montenegro within 3 months of the purchase date. Posting the goods also counts, if they leave the customs area of Montenegro.
  3. At the exit, show the goods and the invoices to customs. Give the original PDV-PP for certification.
  4. Customs stamps and signs the form and the invoices. It writes the date of export on the form.
  5. Give the certified original PDV-PP to the seller within 6 months of the invoice date.

The seller pays the refund, not the border. The seller pays in EUR, in cash at once or by transfer to your account within 15 days of receiving your request. If you send the certified form by post, give the seller your account number.

Customs checks that the passport data match the form and invoices, that the goods match them, that the amount is above EUR 100, that the goods were not used in Montenegro, and that the seller signed the original form and invoices.

Fiscal receipts

A seller that is a fiscalisation obligor must issue a fiscal receipt (fiskalni račun) through the fiscal service. The seller does this in real time over an internet connection.

  • The receipt shows the receipt number, the time of issue (hour and minute) and the operator mark.
  • It shows the seller's identification code and the unique identification code of the receipt.
  • It shows the payment method: cash, card, bank transfer or other.

Some sales are exempt from fiscalisation. Examples are tickets in scheduled passenger transport and farmers who sell their own produce at market stalls.

Tourist tax

The person who uses accommodation outside their residence pays the tourist tax (boravišna taksa). Foreign citizens pay on equal terms. See also Registration of stay.

  • The accommodation provider collects the tax with the price of the accommodation. The invoice must show it as a separate amount.
  • The law sets a range of EUR 0.10 to 1.00. Each municipality sets the exact amount in its own regulation.
  • A flat sum can apply for private households, rural households and campsites.
  • For boats the flat sum is EUR 5.00 to 150.00, by boat length and length of stay. You get a confirmation (potvrda) of payment.

Exempt, with proof:

  • Children up to 12 years
  • People with severe sensory or physical disabilities
  • People sent to spa or climate treatment or rehabilitation by a medical commission
  • Seasonal workers with a registered stay
  • People who stay in the same accommodation without a break for more than 30 days
  • Pupils and students on school trips organised by schools
  • Foreigners exempt by international conventions
  • Foreigners on organised humanitarian aid through official humanitarian organisations

People aged 12 to 18 pay 50%. People up to 29 years who are members of international youth organisations and stay in IYHE youth accommodation also pay 50%. A municipality may exempt other groups.

Cash at the border

Allowed

  • Cash below EUR 10,000 (EUR or the equivalent in another currency): carry it in or out without a declaration

Declare

  • Cash, cheques, bearer securities, precious metals or precious stones worth EUR 10,000 or more, on every entry and every exit
  • Funds that you carry for a company or for another person

Not allowed

  • Carrying EUR 10,000 or more without a declaration

Fill in the cash declaration form and give complete documents on the origin of the funds. The notice is posted at all border crossings. Any customs officer can ask you to fill in the declaration.

CaseWhat happens
Not declared, no sign of unlawful origin or unlawful actsCustoms does not seize the money. You get a misdemeanour order (prekršajni nalog).
Undeclared or falsely declared, with reasonable suspicion about the origin of the funds or about unlawful actsCustoms can hold the money and you for up to 6 hours. It can search you, your luggage and your vehicle.
Declared, but without proper documents on the origin, with doubtful documents or IDs and signs of money laundering or terrorism financingCustoms can hold the money and you for up to 6 hours. It can search you, your luggage and your vehicle.

For goods you bring into Montenegro, see Customs.

Sources