Increasingly more BiH citizens who spent their summer vacation in Montenegro complain how they had to pay a fine amounting to 300 EUR when leaving that country because, allegedly, their stay was not reported to the police within 24 hours.
Given that only half of the summer season has passed and many people are getting ready to spend their vacation on the Montenegrin coast, it is important that the BiH citizens know what to expect, and the same goes for those who hold dual citizenship.
Social networks are also filled with warnings about reporting your stay to the police.
“This is not the case with Montenegro only. This legal solution is valid in all countries of the region. Whether this should be done by visitors personally or by their hosts, everyone who travels to Montenegro should know that this is a legal obligation and there is nothing doubtful about that,” said Arsović.
Apparently, tourists must request and keep the receipt on paid accommodation. Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro confirmed that stay must be reported.
“As before, it is enough if the guest leaves the ID card or passport at the place where they found accommodation, whether it is private or hotel accommodation. Visitors do not have to report if they are staying for three days, i.e. if they are in transit through Montenegro,” said Stanko Čabarkapa, advisor in the MIA of Montenegro in the Department for integrated border and border crossings management.
But what about people who emigrated from Montenegro during the war and hold dual citizenship now? Will they also pay 300 EUR if they do not report to the police on time?
“They are citizens of Montenegro because they own property in Montenegro. The 300 EUR fine is legal and only valid for those who do not respect the basic liabilities,” said Čabarkapa.
However, there is also danger that owners of accommodation do not fulfil their obligation of reporting the guests.
“In that case, those who provided accommodation are guilty and should bear the consequences,” said Stanko Čabarkapa, adding that there are inter-border areas of BiH and Montenegro whose residents are exempt from border troubles, in the radius of 30 kilometres.
Therefore, tourists from BiH who visit Montenegro must request the receipt for accommodation in order to make sure that they avoid any problems on the border crossing while leaving that country.
(Source: radiosarajevo.ba/photo: nkp.ba)
