SIM & Internet in Montenegro: what actually matters to know

From real experience

• Tourist SIM cards can be purchased at the airport upon arrival or at kiosks in towns throughout Montenegro. This is a convenient option for staying connected during your trip.
• For travel between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is recommended to use regional roaming packages. Mtel offers Balkan-wide coverage packages. Local SIM cards purchased at Montenegrin airports or gas stations typically provide coverage across the region.
• Montenegrin SIM cards have expensive roaming rates for neighboring countries like Serbia, Bosnia, and Turkey. For multi-country trips, regional or global eSim plans are significantly more cost-effective than local carrier roaming.
• When traveling by train from Montenegro to Serbia (e.g., Bar to Belgrade): 1. Purchase tickets and a mandatory seat reservation ('Rezervacija Sedišta') at the train station (e.g., in Bar); online purchase is not available. 2. A train change occurs at the border. 3. Insist on getting entry/exit stamps from border police, as they may not always apply them in trains or buses. 4. Montenegrin SIM cards generally work in Serbia and several other Balkan countries without additional roaming charges, which previously required activating a service in an app but is now often automatic.
• To renew the Mtel VRH tariff when it is missing from the application, top up the balance with the required amount, then dial *105# and select the monthly plan activation from the USSD menu.
• In Montenegro, e-SIM cards can be purchased from the three main mobile operators: M:tel, One, and Telekom. Check their official websites for purchase options. As of recent information, payment for these e-SIMs might be restricted to Russian bank cards.
• SIM cards for short-term use (e.g., 5 days) can typically be purchased at the mini-market or a small shop within Podgorica Airport. These often come with tourist-oriented data packages.
• To extend a Montenegrin tourist SIM card validity for one year, visit the operator's office in person. Request to switch the plan to a non-tourist tariff and purchase the annual extension package (approx. 20 EUR). Verify the expiry date in the operator's mobile app before leaving the office to ensure the activation was successful.
• Travelers to Montenegro report successful use of eSIMs (e.g., via Trip.com) for data. Costs vary: ~350 RUB for 10GB/15 days to ~1340 RUB for 50GB/30 days. Local physical SIM cards cost around 20 EUR for 1TB (30 days) or 15 EUR (2 weeks).
• Advise on purchasing SIM cards in Montenegro, specifically for tourists. Explain options for buying tourist SIM cards and how to keep them active, mentioning the possibility of using foreign cards for top-ups or using USSD commands to extend validity. Recommend seeking advice from local providers or specialists like 'Nikolay' in the chat for detailed information.
• To get internet access in Montenegro upon arrival, local e-SIMs can be purchased online before your trip. Official websites of operators include One Montenegro (formerly Telenor), Crnogorski Telekom, and m:tel. Tariffs are similar, for example, 15 days with 500 GB for €15 or 30 days with 1 TB for €20. Payment is accepted via VISA; MIR cards are not accepted.
• Mtel SIM cards in Montenegro have a specific 'validity' period separate from the balance. Simply adding money does not extend validity indefinitely. Validity is extended by 30 days upon any top-up, or for one year with a specific 20 EUR payment. If the validity period expires, the SIM becomes inactive even if there is credit remaining. Users should check validity via *105# before activating tariff packages.
• For mobile internet in Montenegro, consider local operators like Crnogorski Telekom (069) and Telenor (067). Both offer competitive LTE plans with data packages, often starting around 15 EUR per month. Tourist SIM cards are also an option, but local SIM cards might offer better value for longer stays. Check for monthly data allowances and potential throttling after exceeding limits. Stability can vary by location.
• Mobile internet data packages in Montenegro are generally consistent across providers. Common options include a 1 TB package for around 20 Euros and unlimited data packages for approximately 25 Euros per month. It is advisable to check with local mobile operators (e.g., Telenor, m:tel, Crnogorski Telekom) for the most current offers and specific terms.

Related topics