Useful information for yacht crew and yacht owners on arrival at Montenegro

If you decided to visit Montenegro this summer, this information will help you to enter Montenegro territorial waters and sail through safely.

1. Mandatory check-in system

Maritime Safety Department of Montenegro has introduced a mandatory check-in system for all vessels entering and leaving the Vessel Traffic System-VTS (42°01'N 18°54'E) responsibility of 12 nautical miles or reporting to Montenegrin VTS in Dobra Voda (VHF: Ch 11 87).

When the vessel in the area of international navigation intends to sail into the VTS area, it is necessary to prepare the following information: name of the vessel, international call sign, position, speed, destination and estimated time of arrival (ETA) 15 minutes in advance and at the latest when the vessel enters the area.

2.Pilotage

If you are entering one of the Montenegro marinas (Marina Bar, Marina Porto Montenegro - Tivat, Marina Kotor, Port of Zelenika) and your vessel is 1000 BT or more, pilotage is mandatory. Pilots are 24/7 at your disposal. It is necessary to request pilotage 24 hours prior the arrival to the marina and you do that via the radio station.VHF channels: 16/17 Ch for Boka Bay, and 12 Ch for Port of Bar. 

The exception is that they are exempt pilotage captains who are more than five times the same ship sailed to the same port or marina.

3.Necessary documents

After entering the nearest port or marina, and after doing border control procedures, it is necessary to obtain vignette. In order for the Harbour Office or its branches to be able to issue a vignette (proof of eligibility for the navigation of a foreign ship or yacht in the territorial waters of Montenegro) the following proof must be submitted:

- a request for obtaining a vignette,

- the certificate of registration of the vessel,

- certificate of the ability of the person operating the boat or yacht (Master’s/Skipper’s-Certificate, GMDSS certificates, the certificates of the rest of the crew)

- the insurance policy against liability for damage caused to third parties, for the minimum of € 800,000.00.

- proof of ownership or a notarized power of attorney to manage the yacht,

- proof of payment of fees for the use of navigational safety and administrative fee.

If you do not have necessary documents your request for obtaining vignette will be denied, and you will have to live Montenegro territorial waters in time frame decided by Harbor Masters Office or Harbor Branch Office.

4. Tourist tax 

Each foreign vessel (ship or yacht with built in beds that are used for vacation, sports, recreation, leisure, cruising...), who happens to be in the territorial waters of Montenegro is obliged to pay the tax. Residence tax for vessels on the period of their stay in Montenegro and the length of the vessel. 

Residence tax may be taken out for a period of 7, 15, 30, 90 days and for a period of one year, depending on the period for which the vignettes are taken. The minimum amount of the fee is 5 euros, maximum 120 euros.

5. Speed limit

When you are entering Boka Bay it is necessary that you are aware of the speed limit for this area. For all vessels sailing Boka Bay speed limit is 10 knots, and while in Kumbor strait (channel) and the strait of Verige speed limit is 6 knots. These speed limits are mandatory for all vessels: cruisers, mega yachts, yachts, speed boats, boats, ski-jets, sail boats, catamarans, trimarans, etc.

6. VHF Channels

Bar – 12 Ch

Budva - 08 Ch

Porto Montenegro - 71 Ch

Kotor - 16, 17, 68 Ch

Zelenika - 16, 17 Ch

If you need any additional information, or you need an agent during your stay in Montenegro you can contact Yacht Agent Montenegro by contact form, or by phone +382 67 55 22 87, available 24/7.