A car is essential for anyone settled in beautiful Montenegro. You can quickly find or profitably sell a car on MotorBOOM.me, a Montenegrin automotive classifieds site.
In Montenegro, a car is often referred to as one's "second pair of legs." Finding a suitable option and purchasing the car you like is not difficult, provided you take the necessary legal aspects into account.
Owners of Montenegrin-registered vehicles can drive them both within Montenegro and abroad. However, if traveling internationally, you will need additional "Green Card" (*zeleni karton*) insurance. You must also strictly observe traffic regulations at all times.
You may drive a vehicle registered to another owner if you hold a power of attorney certified by a Montenegrin notary. In practice, however, Montenegrin traffic police almost never ask to see this document.
It is important to know that there are two legal options for vehicle registration in Montenegro:
1.) Registering the vehicle in the name of an individual:
- a Montenegrin citizen;
- a foreign national with a Montenegrin residence permit (*boravak*);
2.) Registering the vehicle in the name of a legal entity (company) in Montenegro.
Each option involves specific details and nuances that you should be aware of. We will examine them in greater detail in this article.
How to buy a car in Montenegro
You can find a car to buy in Montenegro through showrooms, dealerships, car markets, newspaper ads, dedicated Facebook groups, and more. It is also common practice to place "for sale" signs in the windows of cars being sold or to leave them parked by the roadside as advertisements.
You can buy a good car in Montenegro at a significantly lower price than, for instance, in the CIS countries. Although the vast majority of cars are not new, the cost of ownership is also lower.
If you are unsure about which car to choose or want the reassurance of an expert opinion—someone well-versed in the necessary technical details and legal aspects—you can hire a professional mechanic. They can assist in finding the right car, inspect its technical condition (including checking for any history of accidents), and help verify the vehicle's documents before the sale is finalized.
The Montenegrin car market is dominated by German, Japanese, Italian, and French brands, though American models are also frequently encountered. Purchasing a used car generally proves to be a sound decision from every perspective.
The average price for a car under ten years old—in decent condition and with mileage of up to 150,000–200,000 kilometers (though lower mileage can also be found)—ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 euros. As a rule, this is affordable for car enthusiasts. The local southern climate and good road surfaces allow vehicles to remain in good working order for a long time.
Driving a car with foreign license plates
Under Montenegrin traffic regulations, you may drive a car with foreign license plates without registering the vehicle in Montenegro. For example, if you arrive in your own car from your home country and wish to drive it in Montenegro using your existing (non-Montenegrin) plates, you only need valid vehicle registration documents, a driver's license from your home country, and international insurance. Please note that your insurance policy must list all the countries you intend to visit during its validity period. Such a vehicle does not require customs clearance; there are no import duties or restrictions on how long the car may remain in Montenegro.
However, keep in mind that, legally speaking, once you obtain a residence permit (*boravak*), you may only drive vehicles with Montenegrin registration—or a foreign-registered rental car covered by an official rental agreement.
The choice of vehicle and registration method is entirely up to you and should be based on the nature of your stay in Montenegro, your financial preferences, and your long-term plans for living in the country. If you have purchased property in Montenegro and plan to live there, it is worth choosing a reliable vehicle that is easy to maintain.
Wishing you smooth roads, safe travels, and lenient traffic police!