VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Montenegro
From November 21, 2008, Russian citizens can visit Montenegro for tourism purposes for up to 30 days without a visa. All you need is a valid passport for this.
Customs rules:
Drugs, poisons, pesticides, psychotropic and explosive substances, gold in raw form and in coins, weapons and military ammunition (without special permission) are prohibited for transportation across the border of Montenegro. Duty-free importation of cigarettes (200 pieces), cigars (50 pieces) or tobacco (250 g) is allowed in Montenegro; wine (2 l) and spirits (1 l). Foreigners can import and export an unlimited amount of currency, but it must be declared. The export of antiques without appropriate documentary evidence of the legality of their acquisition is prohibited.
Embassy in Montenegro
Montenegro, embassy in Moscow
st. Koroviy Val, 7, entrance 4, of. 97
Phone 237-71-34
Montenegro, Russian Embassy in the country:
Podgorica, st. Velishe Mugoshe, 1.
Phone and fax: 081-272460.
Contact in Montenegro
You can call in Montenegro, including abroad, from a public pay phone, for payment, Monte Card telephone cards are used (sold at post offices and kiosks). In the interior, there are coin-operated telephones. Calls from hotels are much more expensive, and the quality of the connection is usually lower than from a pay phone. In the resort areas of Montenegro, there are telephones that accept credit cards as a means of payment. When dialing a number within the country from any phone, a zero is dialed in front of the area code.
There are 2 major mobile operators in the country: MoNet GSM (www.monetcg.com, Montenegro, GSM-900, code 067), Pro Monte (www.promonte.com, Montenegro, GSM-900/1800, code 069). The zone of high-quality coverage covers almost the entire territory of Montenegro, however, communication problems may arise in mountainous areas. SIM cards and express payment cards can be bought directly at operators’ offices or at kiosks and shops. In almost every city in the country you can find Internet cafes.
To call Russia, dial: 997 – area code – phone number.
To call from Russia to Montenegro, you need to dial: 8 – 10 – 381 – area code (for Podgorica – 81) – phone number.
Emergency Phones in Montenegro
Emergency numbers:
police – 92
fire service – 93
ambulance – 92
information bureau – 988
Consulate General of Russia in Montenegro – 611377 roadside
assistance – 987
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 and 2 – New Year.
January 6-8 – Christmas.
April 27 – Statehood Day.
From Friday to Monday in April or May, according to the Orthodox calendar – Easter (in Serbian “Vascres”). The Easter holiday is celebrated every year on different days of the month, and the time of its celebration “passes” according to its date, but always falls on a Sunday.
May 1 and 2 – Labor Day.
May 9 – Victory Day.
July 13 – Independence Day (day of the Rebellion). On July 13, 1878, the Berlin Congress ended, recognizing the absolute political independence of Montenegro. In addition, on the night of July 13, 1941, an uprising began in Montenegro against the occupying Italian authorities.
USEFUL THINGS
Montenegro is a small country, the distances between cities and towns are small. There are only 2 large cities: Niksic and Podgorica, and they are located in the center of the country. Public transport is not very developed, but it is possible to travel by taxi or hitchhiking. On the coast, prices are generally higher, as this is the main resort area. Housing in the private sector, in the so-called villas, can be rented cheaper right on the spot, without contacting travel agencies. The level of service in the hotels of Montenegro is still not high, you need to be prepared for this, and find out the living conditions in advance. The rhythm of life in the country is unhurried, even in the resorts there is no active nightlife. Despite the fact that the population here is religious, representatives of different faiths are tolerant towards each other.
SHOPS
According to medicinelearners, shops in Montenegro are open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, and in tourist centers they can work until 23:00. Many shops (and even pharmacies) are closed during the day. Usually a break is from 13:00 to 17:00, but it can also be from 13:00 to 16:00, and from 12:00 to 17:00. In large and resort cities, you can always find a shop that works around the clock.
TIPS
Hotels and restaurants include a service charge in the price of the order. But still, it is customary to tip in the amount of 10-15% of the bill or simply round it up.
NATIONAL FEATURES
Montenegrins are known for their hospitality and friendliness, but in the resort areas the local population tries to get as much as possible from tourists. The proximity of languages and the long-term influence of Russia on the fate of Montenegro brings Montenegrins closer to Russians. They even have this proverb: “We and the Russians are 150 million, and without the Russians – two trucks and a cart.” They say Montenegrins have a great sense of humor. Respect for private property is one of the few features that distinguishes Montenegrins from Russians.
The rhythm of life in the country is unhurried, the cities, for the most part, are not large, the local population simply does not understand why to rush. This lifestyle is more typical for rural areas than for a modern metropolis, and this must be taken into account when communicating. For centuries, this small country fought for its independence, often defeating overwhelming enemy forces. Therefore, there was an opinion about Montenegrins as a brave, warlike and uncompromising people. In the mountainous regions of the country, the influence of clan kinship is still strong. Since ancient times, the clans have been at enmity with each other because of power, but united in the face of an external enemy, which helped them to defend their independence.
There is another interesting historical feature – there was a theocracy in the country for a long time. And now religion has a strong influence on the life of society. About 70% of the population professes Orthodoxy, however, in general, Montenegrins are tolerant of both other religions and other nationalities.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
Medical care in Montenegro is paid. The healthcare system is quite well developed. There are 8 hospitals in the country, a network of polyclinics provides medical care to the population. The number of private clinics is increasing, and today many doctors speak English and are educated abroad. But for foreign visitors, the national health care system is only available if they work for local businesses and make contributions to the national insurance system.
To travel to Montenegro, it is necessary to take out medical insurance. In general, the level of medical care is high. Private pharmacies offer a wide range of medicines, but it is best to bring along the medicines you need to take regularly.
