Whether you are planning a short-term vacation, visiting to view real estate, or preparing to submit documents for a residence permit, the first and most critical step in Montenegro is registering your place of stay and paying the tourist tax (boravišna taksa).
In 2026, the system for monitoring the stay of foreigners has become entirely digital, and registration deadlines are strictly enforced. In this article, we break down all the nuances: how and when to pay the tourist tax and register, how much it costs, and how the tax impacts your future residency (boravak).
What is Electronic Registration?
According to the Law on Foreigners (Zakon o strancima), every non-resident is required to register their location within 24 hours of crossing the border.
- Prijava Boravka: This is the act of registration. It is your official notification to the state regarding your current address. Data is entered into the RB90 electronic database and linked to your passport number. This is a mandatory action.
- Boravišna Taksa: This is the tourist tax, a fee for using the city's infrastructure.
For the average tourist, these two procedures occur as a single "one-window" operation at a local Tourist Organization (Turistička Organizacija) info point.
The Procedure for Paying Tourist Tax in Montenegro
When you visit the Tourist Organization (TO):
- Step 1: You present your passport. The employee enters your data into the RB90 system. This completes the Prijava Boravka.
- Step 2: The software automatically calculates the tax based on the number of days you plan to spend in Montenegro. If you decide to stay longer, simply return and pay the additional amount. It is vital to respect the allowed stay duration in the country. You can pay for a maximum of 30 days at a time.
- Step 3: You pay the calculated fee (e.g., 10 € for 10 days). This is the Boravišna Taksa.
- Result: You receive a Potvrda (printout), which serves as both confirmation of registration and a payment receipt. Since the system is digital, a physical copy is often not required, though recommended.
P.S. In some municipalities, registration and tax payment can be completed online.
Who Must Register and Pay the Tourist Tax?
Prijava Boravka (Registration)
- Mandatory for: Absolutely all foreigners without a temporary (TRP) or permanent (PRP) residence permit.
- Deadline: Within 24 hours of crossing the border.
- Cost: The registration procedure itself is free.
- Importance: Without this record in the database, your presence in the country is considered illegal.
Boravišna Taksa (Tourist Tax)
- Who pays: Tourists staying in rented accommodation or with friends.
- Who is EXEMPT: Property owners (and their families), children under 12, residents with a valid TRP/PRP, and persons with severe disabilities.
- Cost: A daily tax that varies by municipality.
*Often, this tax is paid by the landlord or hotel staff on your behalf.
Cost of the Tourist Tax (Boravišna Taksa)
Based on data from municipal tourist organizations, the following rates apply for 2026:
- Adults (18+ years): 1.00 € per day.
- Teenagers (12 to 18 years): 0.50 € per day (50% discount).
- Children (under 12 years): Exempt from the fee.
Tourist Organization Websites
- Budva: budva.travel
- Kotor: kotor.travel
- Tivat: tivat.travel
- Bar: bartravel.me
- Ulcinj: ulcinj.travel
- Herceg Novi: hercegnovi.travel
- Podgorica: podgorica.travel
- Cetinje: cetinje.travel
- Žabljak: zabljak.travel
- Kolašin: kolasin.me
Examples and Scenarios
Scenario A: You are staying in a hotel or on a tour
The easiest path. The hotel is required to enter your data into the system.
Tip: Upon check-in, ensure they took a copy of your passport specifically for registration. The next morning, you can ask the receptionist for a “Potvrda o prijavi boravka” printout.
Scenario B: You are renting private housing (Airbnb, Booking.com) or staying with friends/relatives
In this case, the responsibility for registration lies with the property owner (stanodavac), but the foreigner must oversee the process.
- Visit the TO: Go to the local info point available in every municipality.
- Documents: You need your passport and the owner's information (ID card number or a copy of the “List Nepokretnosti”).
- Payment: The tax can be paid on-site or at any post office (Pošta Crne Gore).
- Confirmation: The TO employee will provide a system printout. Keep it until you leave the country or apply for a residence permit.
Mobile Applications for Property Owners
Montenegro is undergoing a gradual transition to digital technology. In municipalities like Tivat and Kotor, owners can use apps like "Lotos Turist" and "eBoravak" to register guests online.
Important: To register in the system, you must visit a tourist agency to create a user account with a temporary password. After the initial login, you must change it to your own.
How Registration and Residency (Boravak) are Linked
For foreigners planning to apply for a residence permit (TRP), registration is the "entry point." When submitting documents to the Ministry of Interior (MUP), the inspector first checks the electronic database. If you entered the country on the 1st but only registered on the 5th, you have violated the law.
If you already own property in Montenegro but do not have a residence permit:
- You and your family are exempt from paying the tourist tax (Boravišna Taksa).
- However, you must still register (Prijava Boravka) every time you enter the country.
- To do this, bring your passport and title deed (List Nepokretnosti) to the info point.
Responsibility and Fines
Montenegrin authorities have intensified control over the "grey" rental market using mobile inspector groups.
- Fine for Foreigners: If a lack of registration is discovered at the border (checkpoint) upon departure, the border service may issue a fine between 200 € and 600 €.
- Fine for Property Owners: For failing to register a guest, owners face fines of 500 € to 2,000 €. For legal entities, fines start at 3,000 €.
Do I need to pay the tax if I live in my own apartment but don't have a residence permit?
No, property owners do not pay the tax. However, you are required to register your arrival at the TO to be entered into the RB90 system. This is free for you and your family.
Do I need to register if I leave the country for a "visa run"?
Yes. Every time you cross the border, the old registration is canceled. Upon return, you have a new 24-hour window to enter your data into the database.
Can I register online by myself?
Currently, independent online registration is only available to property owners with access to the Tourist Organization portal. Most tourists still use info points.
I plan to travel to different cities in Montenegro. Do I need to register in each one?
Yes. The tourist tax is a municipal tax. If you move from Budva to Kotor or Žabljak for more than 24 hours, you must re-register in the new municipality. The RB90 system tracks your movements, and "empty" days between cities may raise questions.
We are arriving on our own yacht. How do we register?
Registration occurs at an official port of entry (Bar, Tivat, Kotor, Zelenika). First, you purchase a cruise vignette, then within 24 hours, you pay the fee for all crew and guests on board.
Can I live in a camper (RV) outside official sites?
"Wild camping" is officially prohibited in Montenegro, and enforcement is strict. At a licensed campsite, administration registers you automatically. If traveling independently, you must register at the nearest city info point and specify your location.
Conclusion
Registration in Montenegro in 2026 is a simple but mandatory process that paves the way for legal long-term stay. The MD Realty team provides full informational and legal support to our clients. We help you not only choose an investment property but also correctly process all accompanying documents from your first day in the country.
Contact us to learn more about investment opportunities and moving to Montenegro!
