With a decision in March 2026 the Government of Montenegro granted temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens and others who fled the war, for one year, from 4 March 2026 to 4 March 2027. Under the Law on International and Temporary Protection of Foreigners, a person under temporary protection has the right to stay, to work without a residence and work permit, to health care, to primary and secondary education and to family reunification, and, if they have no means, to accommodation and basic necessities. The temporary protection document counts as a residence permit. For health care, since January 2026 you register in person with the Health Insurance Fund.
This guide explains who qualifies for temporary protection, how long it lasts, which rights it gives, how to access health care, what applies to work, school and family, and when protection is refused.
Who qualifies for temporary protection?
- Ukrainian citizens who cannot return to Ukraine, which they had to leave because of the armed conflict.
- Stateless persons whose last residence was in Ukraine and people granted international protection by Ukraine, if they cannot return.
- Ukrainian citizens lawfully staying in Montenegro since 24 February 2022 or later who cannot return because of the conflict.
- The decision applies from 4 March 2026 to 4 March 2027 and replaced the earlier decision, which was amended from 2022 to 2025.
- To oversee its implementation the Government set up a Coordination Body that includes the ministries of health, labour, education and social welfare.
How long does protection last and how is it extended?
- Temporary protection is granted for one year.
- After that year it can be extended by six months at a time, for up to one year.
- Exceptionally, it can also be extended on the basis of a decision of the Council of the European Union, and since 2024 the law no longer sets a maximum for that.
- Protection ends when the set period expires or by a decision of the Council of the European Union.
- On request, the Ministry of the Interior helps with voluntary return to the country of origin.
What rights do you have?
- The right to stay in Montenegro while protection lasts, and a document that counts as a residence permit, which you hand back when protection ends.
- The right to suitable accommodation, necessary help and basic necessities such as food, clothing and hygiene products, if you have no money.
- The right to work in Montenegro without a residence and work permit or a work registration certificate.
- The right to adult education, vocational training and work experience on the same terms as Montenegrin citizens.
- The right to information about your rights and obligations in a language you understand.
- The right to apply for international protection, although while temporary protection lasts you do not use the rights of an asylum seeker.
How do you access health care?
- Health care covers emergency medical help, necessary treatment of illnesses and serious mental disorders, diagnostics at all levels and medicines on the Fund's list.
- You register with the Health Insurance Fund on your own request, at the Fund's regional unit in the municipality where you were granted temporary protection.
- You attach your temporary protection document with the barcode and the foreigner's personal number, and a valid biometric passport or a temporary identity document from your embassy.
- Registration lasts as long as your document, and the Fund gives you a registration certificate.
- Each family member registers in their own right, as registration as a family member is not possible.
What applies to school and family?
- Children have the right to primary and secondary education on the same terms as Montenegrin citizens.
- The same applies to retraining and additional qualifications for adults.
- You or a member of your family file the request for family reunification, and the Ministry of the Interior decides on it.
- The family member is then granted temporary protection, and when family members enjoy protection in different countries, their best interests are taken into account.
When is protection refused?
- Protection is refused if there are serious reasons to believe the person took part in a war crime, a crime against humanity or another serious crime.
- It is also refused to a person who poses a danger to national security and public order.
- The exclusion also applies to a person with a final conviction for an offence punishable by five years in prison or more.
- The competent authorities establish the grounds for refusal on the basis of the available information.
Registering for health care is explained in our guide to health insurance for foreigners, and enrolling children in school in our guide to schools for foreign children. Looking for work is described in our guide to finding a job in Montenegro, and opening an account in our guide to bank accounts for foreigners.
Frequently asked questions
Until when is temporary protection for Ukrainians valid in Montenegro? Under the Government's decision it runs from 4 March 2026 to 4 March 2027.
Can I work under temporary protection? Yes, a person under temporary protection can work without a residence and work permit or a work registration certificate.
How do I register with the Health Insurance Fund? You apply in person at the Fund's regional unit, with your temporary protection document and a valid passport.
Can my children go to school? Yes, children have the right to primary and secondary education on the same terms as Montenegrin citizens.
Can I bring my family? Yes, you or a family member file a request for family reunification, and the family member is granted temporary protection.
Can temporary protection be extended? Yes, the law allows extensions of six months, for up to one year, and exceptionally on the basis of a decision of the Council of the European Union.
Sources
The duration and who is covered are set by the Decision on Granting Temporary Protection to Persons from Ukraine (Official Gazette 27/2026), rights, extension and exclusion by the Law on International and Temporary Protection of Foreigners (Official Gazette 2/2017, 3/2019 and 77/2024, Articles 92 to 105) with its 2024 amendments, and registration with the Fund by the Rulebook on registration with the Health Insurance Fund (Official Gazette 162/2025). The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.