In Montenegro a boat may be operated by a person aged 18 or over who holds a boat handling certificate, issued by the harbour master's office after an oral and practical exam before a commission. The same certificate is needed for a water scooter, or jet ski, with up to three seats. You may skipper a foreign-flagged boat on a foreign licence only if Montenegro recognises it. Operating without a certificate carries a fine of 500 to 2,000 euros, and since July 2026 the law expressly bans carrying anyone on a private boat for any kind of payment.
The rules come from the Law on Maritime Navigation Safety, in force since January 2026 and amended in July 2026, and the Rulebook on the programme and manner of taking the boat handling exam. This guide explains who may operate a boat, how to take the exam, whether a foreign licence is valid, who may be aboard and what applies to alcohol, bathing areas, anchoring and insurance.
Who may operate a boat?
| Craft | Who may operate it |
| Boat for personal use | A person aged 18 with a boat handling certificate |
| Water scooter, or jet ski, with up to three seats | A person with a boat handling certificate or a motorman's licence |
| Boat for commercial and public purposes | A person with a motorman's licence and a VHF DSC or GMDSS radio operator licence, and one crew member with a boat handling certificate must also be aboard |
| Foreign-flagged boat | A person with a licence from a state with which Montenegro has a reciprocity agreement or from a state on the list published by the Ministry |
The boat handling certificate is bilingual, in Montenegrin and English, and entitles you to operate a boat for personal use and to use the boat's maritime radiotelephone while sailing in coastal waters.
How do you take the boat handling exam?
- You submit a written application to the harbour master's office, with your name, date and place of birth and proof of medical fitness.
- The exam is taken before a commission of a chair, two members and a secretary, and the date, time and place are published on the notice board and website of the harbour master's office at least 30 days in advance.
- The exam has an oral and a practical part. The practical part is taken on a boat and includes sailing it.
- A fee is paid for the exam as budget revenue, and its amount is set by the Government.
- A candidate who shows insufficient knowledge in two subjects takes a resit in the next exam period, but no earlier than seven days later. A candidate who fails three subjects has failed the exam.
| Subject | What it covers |
| Maritime regulations and basic navigation | Navigation rules, lights, day shapes and signals, collision avoidance, nautical charts, course, compass and weather on the Adriatic |
| Engines and safety measures | Starting and monitoring the engine, faults, fuel, batteries, firefighting and protection of the sea from pollution |
| Seamanship and first aid | Types and equipment of boats, knots, stability, what to do in a collision, grounding, fire or man overboard, berthing, anchoring and first aid |
| Maritime radio service | Using a VHF radio, distress calls and messages, and the basics of the GMDSS system |
You do not have to sit the first aid exam if you have already passed it with another authority and submit proof to the commission. The 2021 Rulebook applies until the Ministry adopts a new one under the 2025 law.
Is a foreign boat licence valid?
For a foreign-flagged boat the law recognises the licence of a state with which Montenegro has a reciprocity agreement and licences of states on the list the Ministry publishes on its website. For a boat registered in Montenegro the law requires the boat handling certificate and does not mention foreign licences, so before renting a boat check with the harbour master's office or the rental company whether your licence is accepted.
Who may be aboard, and may rides be charged for?
Since 17 July 2026 amended rules apply to boats for personal use:
- On a boat owned by a private individual, the owner, a member of their immediate family or a person holding a certified written power of attorney when the owner is not aboard must be on board while under way.
- Such a boat may not be used for commercial passenger transport or for any transport for direct or indirect payment or other material benefit.
- On a boat owned by a company, employees, founders and their family members and persons holding a written power of attorney signed by the company's authorised person may be aboard.
- The power of attorney and proof of employment or founder status must be kept aboard, on paper or electronically.
How a power of attorney is drawn up and certified when you give it from abroad is explained in our article on the power of attorney from abroad.
What applies to alcohol, bathing areas and anchoring?
- The skipper and crew may not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and it is also an offence for a crew member on duty to have more than 0.05% alcohol in the blood. The navigation safety inspector then removes the skipper from duty for at least eight days.
- Sailing, landing, beaching and anchoring by speedboats, jet skis and craft carrying passengers or cargo are prohibited in organised, built and natural bathing areas.
- You may anchor at anchorages marked on nautical charts and in areas where anchoring is permitted, without endangering navigation, other anchored vessels or the environment.
| Offence | Fine for an individual |
| Operating a boat without a certificate or under 18 | 500 to 2,000 euros |
| Carrying people for payment on a private boat | 500 to 2,000 euros |
| Alcohol or drugs in a crew member | 500 to 2,000 euros |
| Speedboats, jet skis and similar craft sailing or anchoring in a bathing area | 500 to 2,000 euros |
A company pays 3,000 to 20,000 euros for the same offences, and for a repeat offence the fine goes up to five times the minimum.
How much must boat insurance cover?
The owner of a registered boat must take out liability insurance for damage to third parties for one year, and without it the navigation permit is not extended. The minimum sums insured are 50,000 euros for a motor boat, 200,000 euros for a speedboat or water scooter and 800,000 euros for a yacht. Registration, tax and the navigation permit when buying a boat are explained in our guide to buying a used boat, and compulsory traffic insurance in our article on car insurance. Engine servicing and boat maintenance can also be booked through the Glatko platform.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a licence to operate a boat in Montenegro? Yes. A boat is operated by a person aged 18 with a boat handling certificate, issued by the harbour master's office after an exam.
Where do you take the boat handling exam? You apply to the harbour master's office, and the exam is taken before a commission, orally and practically on a boat.
Do you need a licence for a jet ski? Yes. A water scooter with up to three seats is operated by a person with a boat handling certificate or a motorman's licence.
Is my foreign boat licence valid? For a foreign-flagged boat it is, if it was issued by a state with which Montenegro has an agreement or a state on the Ministry's list. For a boat registered in Montenegro, check with the harbour master's office.
May I charge friends for a ride on a private boat? No. Any transport for direct or indirect payment on a private boat is prohibited, and the fine is 500 to 2,000 euros.
What is the fine for operating a boat without a licence? 500 to 2,000 euros for an individual and 3,000 to 20,000 euros for a company.
Sources
The certificate, crew, alcohol, bathing areas and fines are governed by the Law on Maritime Navigation Safety (Official Gazette of Montenegro 160/2025 and 32/2026, amended by 104/2026, Articles 8, 10, 99 to 102, 296 and 299), and the exam by the Rulebook on the programme and manner of taking the boat handling exam (Official Gazette of Montenegro 113/2021). Boat insurance is governed by the Law on Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Official Gazette of Montenegro 44/2012 as amended, Articles 45 and 46). The legislation was checked on 25 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform and does not give legal advice; for a specific case, contact the harbour master's office or a lawyer.