Can foreigners study in Montenegro, and what does it cost? Yes. There are 4 universities, one of them public, and 6 independent faculties. Under the 2025 Law on Higher Education, bachelor's and master's study at a public university carries no study fee, except for programmes taught in a foreign language. Private universities charge 2,200 to 2,700 euros a year, and recognising a foreign diploma costs 50 to 100 euros.
The rules come from the Law on Higher Education, published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro 122/2025 on 22 October 2025, which replaced the 2014 law. The figures on institutions and fees come from Eurydice, the European Commission's education network, updated on 1 April 2026, and from the University of Montenegro.
Which universities are there?
| Institution | Type | Seat |
| University of Montenegro (UCG) | Public | Podgorica, with units in other towns |
| University Donja Gorica (UDG) | Private | Podgorica |
| University Mediterranean | Private | Podgorica |
| University Adriatic | Private | Bar |
| Faculty for Montenegrin Language and Literature | Public, independent faculty | Cetinje |
| Five further independent faculties, in state and European studies, business management, tourism and hospitality (Miločer), medicine (Kotor) and liberal arts (Budva) | Private | Various |
Studies follow the 3+2+3 model: a three-year bachelor's degree, a two-year master's and a three-year doctorate.
Is study free?
| Who | Study fee |
| Bachelor's and master's students at a public institution | None |
| Programmes taught in a foreign language at a public institution | Paid, amount set by the institution with ministry consent |
| A second programme studied at the same time | Paid for one of the two programmes |
| Doctoral students | Paid |
| Private institutions | Paid: bachelor's 2,200 to 2,700 euros a year, master's 2,000 to 2,200 euros |
The law gives a foreigner the right to enrol under equal conditions with Montenegrin citizens. The University of Montenegro's own enrolment guide, however, still describes a foreign national as a student who pays tuition, so check the fee for your programme in the call for enrolment before you apply.
A student at a public university who does not earn 45 ECTS credits in a year pays a fee to continue. At the University of Montenegro it is 250 euros a semester for programmes in the natural, technical, social sciences and humanities and 500 euros a semester for arts and architecture.
How do you apply?
The University of Montenegro enrols in up to three rounds: the first in the second half of June, the second in the first half of July and the third at the end of August. Places are awarded by ranking, mainly on secondary school results and the final school exam, and some programmes add an entrance exam.
| Step | What you need |
| Recognition of your school certificate | A request for recognition of the foreign secondary school certificate |
| Language | Proof that you know the language in which the programme is taught |
| Application | The online application in the enrolment round, with the recognised certificate |
| Enrolment | Signing the study contract once you are ranked |
Most programmes at the University of Montenegro are taught in Montenegrin. If you want to learn the language before or during your studies, course prices are compared in Glatko's guide to Montenegrin language courses for foreigners.
What does recognising a diploma cost?
| Procedure | Administrative fee |
| Recognition of a completed foreign secondary school certificate | 50 € |
| Recognition of a partly completed secondary education | 30 € |
| Equivalence of a foreign level of qualification | 50 € |
| Recognition of a foreign higher education diploma | 100 € |
The fees are set by the Law on Administrative Fees, and the University of Montenegro lists them in its decision on student fees.
What about residence, housing and health insurance?
A foreign student who stays for the whole academic year needs temporary residence for education, applied for with proof of enrolment, accommodation and means of support, and decided by the Ministry of the Interior. Which documents the application takes is set out on RoNa Legal's page on the Montenegrin residence permit.
For accommodation, see how to find a flat in our guide to long-term rentals in Montenegro, and for the monthly budget our overview of the cost of living. Who is covered by the Health Insurance Fund and who needs a private policy is explained in our guide to health insurance for foreigners.
Frequently asked questions
Is university free in Montenegro for foreigners? Under the 2025 law, bachelor's and master's study at a public university carries no study fee and foreigners enrol under equal conditions, but programmes in a foreign language are paid, and the University of Montenegro's guide still treats foreign nationals as fee-paying, so check your programme's call for enrolment.
How many universities are there in Montenegro? Four: the public University of Montenegro and the private University Donja Gorica, University Mediterranean and University Adriatic, plus six independent faculties.
How much does a private university cost in Montenegro? 2,200 to 2,700 euros a year for a bachelor's degree and 2,000 to 2,200 euros for a master's.
Do I need to speak Montenegrin? For programmes taught in Montenegrin, yes: you must prove your knowledge of the language of instruction when you apply.
When are the enrolment rounds? At the University of Montenegro, in the second half of June, the first half of July and at the end of August.
How much does recognising a foreign diploma cost? 100 euros for a higher education diploma and 50 euros for a completed secondary school certificate.
Sources
The study fee and the right of foreigners to enrol are set by Articles 60, 61 and 107 of the Law on Higher Education (Official Gazette of Montenegro 122/2025). The list of institutions and private fees come from Eurydice's pages on types of higher education institutions and higher education funding in Montenegro. The enrolment rounds and the rule for foreign nationals come from the University of Montenegro's enrolment guide, and the fees from its decision on student fees of 27 September 2022. The rules were checked on 25 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform and does not give legal advice; confirm fees and documents with the institution you apply to.