Montenegro, a hidden gem on the Adriatic coast, is known for its medieval towns, dramatic mountains, and stunning beaches. Whether you’re exploring the walled city of Kotor, relaxing on the Bay of Budva, or hiking in Durmitor National Park, having access to cash is important. While credit cards are accepted in many tourist areas, cash is still widely used in smaller towns and local markets. This guide provides essential information on cash and ATMs in Montenegro, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Montenegro?
Urban Areas: Cities such as Podgorica, Budva, and Kotor have a good distribution of ATMs, particularly in city centers, shopping areas, and near bank branches. Banks like Crnogorska komercijalna banka (CKB), Hipotekarna Banka, and Erste Bank operate extensive ATM networks throughout these cities.
Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like the Old Town of Kotor, Budva Riviera, and Sveti Stefan have ATMs in their vicinity. However, in areas like Budva’s Old Town, ATMs are mostly spread in other parts of the city.
Rural Areas: In smaller villages and remote regions, ATM availability may be limited. It’s recommended to withdraw cash in larger towns before traveling to these areas. Additionally, ATMs in Montenegro tend to dispense large denomination notes, which some retailers may not readily accept.
Best ATMs to use in Montenegro for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Montenegro are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Ziraat Bank
- Hipotekarna Bank
- Erste bank
- Addiko bank
- Adriatic Bank
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Montenegro.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Montenegro, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in EUR).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate. If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
- Now if you ‘Accept’, you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in EUR.
Key points on ATM operations
Possible to use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Montenegro: Yes, majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Montenegro.
Types of cards accepted at ATMs: ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. Some of them accept American Express cards. Others like JCB, UnionPay, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
ATM opening hours: ATMs in Montenegro are generally available 24/7, particularly those located outside of bank branches.
Identifying ATMs: Look for the words ‘ATM’ or ‘Cash machine’
Language options at ATMs: ATMs typically offer Montenegrin (a variant of Serbian) and English. Some may offer French, Spanish, German, Mandarin too.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Montenegro?
ATMs dispense cash in Euros (EUR) only. Banks may set per-transaction limits but most banks don’t limit the total withdrawals per day.
ATM withdrawal limits in Montenegro?
ATMs in Montenegro have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of € 500 to € 800, with most common being € 500.ATMs typically do not have daily withdrawal limits so you can use the ATM multiple times if you need to withdraw more cash.
ATM Fees in Montenegro
There is only 1 fee-free ATM in Montenegro. Otherwise majority of the bank ATMs charge between € 4.88 to € 5.99 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. So there are limited options of fee-free ATMs in Montenegro.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Montenegro. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Montenegro?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs in this country the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Montenegro. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 100+ countries including Montenegro.
Safety at ATMs
Montenegro is known for its low crime rate, making it a relatively safe destination for travelers. ATMs are widely available throughout the country, particularly in urban centers and tourist areas. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, can occur, especially during the tourist season from May to September. Thieves are particularly active on public transportation and in crowded public areas. It’s advisable to use ATMs located in well-lit, populated areas or within bank premises to minimize potential risks. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying large amounts of cash after withdrawals. Regularly monitoring your bank statements can help detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Montenegro takes your card, contact the bank if it was inside a branch. They may retrieve it with proof of identity. You can also call the bank’s helpline, but they usually assist only their customers. Otherwise, contact your own bank to request a new card.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs?
Yes, but there is only 1 fee-free ATM in Montenegro. Otherwise majority of the bank ATMs charge between € 4.88 to € 5.99 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. So there are limited options of fee-free ATMs.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in this country.
Bitcoin ATMs
As of now, there are no known Bitcoin ATMs operating in Montenegro.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Montenegro
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs in Montenegro.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate ATMs here.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs here.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not operate ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs in Montenegro.
