Visa Run in Montenegro
If you are a tourist from a country with a visa-free regime in Montenegro, your stay is limited to 30 days. A visa run is a way to "reset" this period and extend your vacation without applying for a visa or residence permit.
What is a visa run
- Visa Run — a short trip to a neighboring country and re-entry into Montenegro.
- Allows you to start a new 30-day period of visa-free stay.
- This is a legal way to extend your vacation, but it is important to comply with the rules of registration and payment of the tourist tax.
Where to go
- Bosnia and Herzegovina — the city of Trebinje is often chosen by tourists, as it is close and convenient for a short trip.
- Albania — another popular option for a visa run, not far away and without the need for a visa for citizens of the Russian Federation.
Visa requirements of neighboring countries
- Citizens of the Russian Federation and most tourists do not need a visa for a short-term entry into Bosnia and Albania.
- This makes a visa run simple in terms of documents and economically advantageous.
Tourist registration and tourist tax
- Upon each entry into Montenegro, a tourist is obliged to register and pay the tourist tax (formerly “white card”).
- Registration records your stay, so after a visa run you need to go through it again and pay the fee.
- Failure to register may result in a fine of up to €200.
Attention: Resetting your stay through a visa run does not exempt you from re-paying the tourist tax. Always check that your registration is correctly оформлена after returning.
Practical visa run instructions
- Plan your departure one day before the end of the 30-day period.
- Choose a neighboring country: Trebinje (Bosnia) or Albania.
- Check the visa requirements for citizens of your country — most tourists from the Russian Federation do not require visas.
- Cross the border, spend a short time in a neighboring country (a few hours or a day is enough).
- Return to Montenegro, register and pay the tourist tax again.
Tips and life hacks
- Plan your visa run in advance — especially during peak season, when borders and hotels near the border can be busy.
- Bring your passport and proof of accommodation (hotel, apartment rental) for registration.
- Do not rely on verbal agreements with taxi drivers or agencies — only official registration and payment of the fee guarantee the legality of your stay.
Summary
A Visa Run is a convenient way to extend your vacation in Montenegro without a visa. The main thing is to take into account the rules of registration and re-payment of the tourist tax. Plan your routes in advance, choose the nearest neighboring countries and record your stay officially so that your vacation is safe and legal.
