Buying a Car in Montenegro as a Foreigner: Guide
How a foreigner buys a used car in Montenegro: residence permit, notarised contract, sales tax, registration, plates and costs. Checklist and FAQ.
Can a foreigner buy a car in Montenegro?
Any adult with a passport can buy a car. You can sign the sale contract as a foreigner without a residence permit. The problem is not the purchase. The problem is registration. A vehicle is registered at the owner's place of residence, so a foreigner without residence in Montenegro usually cannot register a car in their own name.
Foreigners with a temporary or permanent residence permit (boravak) register the car in their own name and show proof of residence. Expat guides say the registration is valid only until the permit expires. Without a permit, some people register the car to a Montenegrin company or to a resident. In that case you are not the legal owner, which is a legal risk. Check your case with the local office of the Ministry of Interior (MUP) before you buy.
Documents you need
From the seller you take the original vehicle registration certificate (saobraćajna dozvola) and a notarised sale contract. You bring your passport and proof of residence. For registration you also need a valid technical inspection, a compulsory liability insurance policy and proof that you paid the sales tax.
If you do not read the language of the contract, ask a court interpreter to translate it before you sign. Foreign guides give about 50–100 € for an interpreter. Check the price in advance. Do not sign a text you do not understand.
The sale contract and the notary
The contract must show both parties, the vehicle (make, model, VIN, plate number, year, mileage), the price, the date and the signatures. A notary certifies the contract. The law requires notaries and inspection and registration companies to report the change of owner to the tax authority, so you cannot skip the tax.
The notary fee depends on the contract value. Foreign guides give 50–150 € as an example. Ask for the price before you go. Before you sign, check the VIN, check that the car has no pledge or lease, and check that fines are paid.
Tax on used vehicle sales
The buyer pays the tax. The tax base is the market value of the vehicle. The tax authority checks the price in the contract. If the price looks unrealistic, it estimates the value from comparable cars. The law (Official Gazette of Montenegro 127/25, in force since November 2025) sets the rate at 5%. A temporary rate of 2.5% applied to buyers who paid within 180 days of the start of application of the law. By our calculation that period ended in the first half of 2026, so plan for 5% unless a newer amendment exists. Check the Tax Administration (Uprava prihoda i carina) website.
The deadlines are short. You file a request with the tax authority of your place of residence within 15 days of the purchase. The authority issues a decision within 15 days. You pay within 10 days of receiving the decision. Without proof of payment the car cannot be registered. A private person who does not file can be fined 300 to 2,000 €. Example: for an 8,000 € car, 5% is 400 €. You do not pay this tax if you buy from a company that charges VAT. Close heirs and spouses are exempt.
Registration step by step
The order is: 1) the notary certifies the contract; 2) you file the tax request and pay the tax; 3) you do the technical inspection if the current one is not valid; 4) you buy compulsory insurance; 5) you submit the registration request at an inspection station or at MUP and pay the fees; 6) you collect the new registration certificate and sticker.
Ask at the station or at MUP whether, and for how long, you may drive while the request is processed. Foreign guides say the documents arrive within a few days. For details on inspection, insurance and fees, read our guide 'Vehicle registration in Montenegro'.
Foreign plates and Montenegrin plates
A car with foreign plates can enter Montenegro as a temporarily imported vehicle under the rules of the Customs Administration. If you settle in the country, you must register the car here. Importing a car is a separate topic. Duties, taxes and the limits on age and emission class (Euro) change, so ask the Customs Administration before you buy abroad.
The simplest way is to buy a car that is already registered in Montenegro. There is no customs duty. You pay the sales tax and the registration costs. Some foreign guides mention special plate marks for foreigners with residence permits. Confirm this at the MUP office.
Approximate costs
Besides the price of the car, plan for: the sales tax (5% of market value), the notary, an interpreter if needed, the technical inspection, one year of compulsory insurance, and registration fees. One foreign guide estimates the other first-year costs, without the sales tax, at several hundred euros (their estimate is 560–950 €). Use this as a rough guide only.
The exact insurance price depends on the car and your bonus level. Fees depend on engine size and car age. Ask an inspection station for a full calculation before you buy. Check current prices.
Where to find a car, and a checklist
You can browse used cars in Montenegro at kupiprodaj.me/vozila/automobili/crna-gora. KupiProdaj.me is a free classifieds board. It connects buyers and sellers. It is not a seller, it does not hold money and it gives no warranty on the car. You do the viewing, the checks and the contract yourself.
Checklist: the VIN matches the registration certificate; no pledge or lease; no unpaid fines; test drive and mechanic check; contract certified by a notary; tax request filed within 15 days; valid inspection and insurance before registration; proof of residence in hand. Pay only when you sign the contract and receive the documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist buy a car in Montenegro?
A tourist can sign the contract, but registration is tied to the owner's residence. A tourist without a residence permit usually cannot register the car in their own name. Ask MUP what applies to your case before you buy.
Do I need a residence permit to register a car?
According to expat guides and reports from foreigners, you need a temporary or permanent residence permit to register a car in your name, and the registration is valid only until the permit expires. A company registered in Montenegro can own a car. Ask an accountant about this.
How much is the tax when I buy a used car?
The law sets 5% of the market value of the vehicle, paid by the buyer. A rate of 2.5% applied to buyers who paid within 180 days of the start of application of the law, but that period has ended. Check the current rate on the Tax Administration website.
Do I have to use a notary?
Yes. The sale contract must be certified by a notary. The notary sends the document to the tax authority. The fee depends on the contract value. Ask for the price in advance.
How long does registration take after the purchase?
Submitting the request at a station or at MUP is usually quick, and reports say the documents arrive in a few days. Ask at the station or at MUP whether, and for how long, you may drive while the request is processed. Before that you must settle the tax, the inspection and the insurance.
Where can I find a used car in Montenegro?
On the free classifieds board KupiProdaj.me: kupiprodaj.me/vozila/automobili/crna-gora. Filter by make, year and price, then contact the sellers. The board does not handle payments, so stay careful and read our guide on how to spot a scam.