Under the new Medicines Act, which has applied since 18 February 2026, a person entering or leaving Montenegro may carry only medicines needed for personal use, for a family member who cannot look after themselves and travels with them, or for an animal travelling with them, in a quantity covering no more than six months of needs. You show customs medical documents proving the medicine is for your personal needs. For medicines containing controlled drugs a separate law applies: you may carry therapy for no more than 30 days, with a doctor's certificate no older than 90 days. You may not receive medicines by post or courier.
This guide explains how much medicine you may bring, which documents to carry, what applies to medicines containing controlled drugs and to medicines for animals, what the fines are and where to buy medicines in Montenegro.
How much medicine may you bring?
| Type of medicine | Maximum quantity | What to carry |
| medicine for personal use | needs for up to six months | medical documents to show customs |
| medicine containing a controlled drug | therapy for up to 30 days | a certificate from your chosen doctor or a mental health specialist, no older than 90 days |
| medicine containing a controlled drug for an animal | therapy for up to 30 days | a vet's certificate, which you declare to customs |
- The rule applies both when entering and when leaving Montenegro.
- The quantity depends on the nature and length of the illness, so six months is counted against your therapy, not the number of packs.
- You may also carry medicines for a minor or legally incapacitated family member travelling with you.
Which documents do you carry?
- The law requires medical documents proving the medicine is for your personal needs, or for the person or animal travelling with you.
- You show the documents to customs when crossing the border.
- Medicines containing controlled drugs need a separate document: a certificate or report on the necessity of the medicine.
- It is best to carry medicines in their original packaging, so they can easily be matched to the documents.
What applies to medicines containing controlled drugs?
- These are medicines with substances on the List of Drugs, for example strong painkillers and some sedatives and sleeping pills.
- At the border you may carry the quantity needed for personal therapy for no more than 30 days.
- You need a certificate on the necessity of the medicine from your chosen doctor or a specialist in mental health, and the certificate may not be older than 90 days.
- Possessing a medicine containing a controlled drug in a quantity larger than the doctor prescribed is a misdemeanour with a fine of 100 to 2,000 euros.
- A pharmacy may not dispense a medicine containing a controlled drug to anyone under 18.
What applies to medicines for pets?
- You may carry medicine for an animal travelling with you under the same conditions as medicine for yourself.
- A medicine containing a controlled drug needs a vet's certificate, and you may carry therapy for no more than 30 days.
- You must declare that certificate to customs, and failing to do so means a fine of 100 euros.
Can you receive medicines by post?
- No, a person bringing medicines for personal use cannot receive the medicines they need by post or courier.
- This ban applies until Montenegro joins the European Union.
- Medicines you need during your stay are bought at pharmacies in Montenegro, and prescription medicines require a doctor's prescription.
Opening hours and duty pharmacies are described in our guide to pharmacies in Montenegro, and customs allowances for goods in our guide to bringing cigarettes and alcohol. Travelling with a dog or cat is explained in our guide to travelling with a pet, and treatment for foreigners in our guide to health insurance for foreigners.
Frequently asked questions
How much medicine may I bring into Montenegro? You may bring medicines for personal use covering no more than six months of needs, depending on the nature and length of the illness.
Do I need a prescription for the medicines I carry? You show customs medical documents proving the medicine is for your personal needs, for example a prescription or a doctor's report.
How much medicine containing a controlled drug may I carry? You may carry therapy for no more than 30 days, with a doctor's certificate on the necessity of the medicine that is no older than 90 days.
Can someone send me medicines to Montenegro by post? No, you cannot receive medicines for personal use by post or courier, and this ban applies until EU accession.
May I carry medicines for my dog? Yes, under the same conditions as for yourself, and for a medicine containing a controlled drug you carry a vet's certificate that you declare to customs.
What is the fine for carrying more of a controlled medicine than allowed? Possessing a medicine containing a controlled drug in a larger quantity than the doctor prescribed carries a fine of 100 to 2,000 euros.
Sources
The quantity for personal use, the documents at the border and the ban on receiving medicines by post are set by the Medicines Act (Official Gazette 14/2026, Articles 137 and 357), and medicines containing controlled drugs, the 90-day certificate and the fines by the Law on Preventing Drug Abuse (Official Gazette 28/2011 and 35/2013, Articles 42a, 43, 45, 52 and 52a) with its 2026 amendments (Official Gazette 117/2026). The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not medical or legal advice.