What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that address Montenegro pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will be comprised of proof of a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, rabies titer test results, and an international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Regulations
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should ensure that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Montenegro
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Montenegro if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
Montenegro Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Montenegro pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a pet dog or cat to Montenegro is to have it identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.
All documents must reflect the microchip number. If your pet is microchipped and the pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, the importer can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.
Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.
Step 2: Vaccinations
All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to entering Montenegro. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not accepted.
The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:
- a rabies certificate or
- government-issued vaccination booklet or
- EU Pet Passport
Other Vaccinations
Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. All vaccinations should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
This test is required to enter Montenegro from any country and must be administered more than 3 calendar months of traveling. Samples must be processed in approved laboratories.
Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are recommended prior to entering Montenegro with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel.
Step 5: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:
- owner’s information
- origination and destination details and
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments,
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet. Depending on the country of origin, additional details and treatments must be listed.
A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the pet health certificate within 10 days of entering Montenegro.
Most countries, including Montenegro, require that this certificate be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals in the country of origin.
Step 6: Import Permit
An import permit is not required for pet dogs and cats entering Montenegro with their owners. Commercial and unaccompanied imports will require the permit.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Montenegro
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens can enter Montenegro only after conforming to the regulations listed here. The minimum age for import is 7 months.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned for Import to Montenegro
Montenegro does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Flying a Pet to Martinique
Flights to Montenegro should be direct or transit through a rabies controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
Entering Montenegro by Air
Pets entering Montenegro by air must do so at Podgorica Airport. Pets can enter as in-cabin, checked baggage, or air cargo, according to airline pet policies. The owner should be present at customs clearance.
In all cases, pets must travel in a pet crate or carrier that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance, as they will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing at this time if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Montenegro
All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Montenegro. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.
Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Montenegro?
Have a question about importing a pet to Montenegro? Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:
- make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- return your pet to the country of origin, or
- euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Montenegro pet import requirements.
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