In Montenegro the work booklet (radna knjižica) is still a public document that every employee has, and it is issued by the competent local government body, that is, the municipality. You hand the booklet to your employer on the day you start work against a receipt, and the employer must return it duly filled in on the day your employment ends. It is forbidden to enter negative information about your work in the booklet.
This guide explains what the Labour Law says, how the booklet is issued, what applies to foreigners, duplicates and fines.
What does the Labour Law say?
- An employee has a work booklet, and the work booklet is a public document.
- The work booklet is issued by the competent local government body, and its content, issuing procedure, entries, replacement and form are set by the Ministry.
- The employee hands the booklet to the employer on the day they start work, against a receipt.
- It is forbidden to enter negative information about the employee's work in the booklet.
- The employer must return the duly filled-in booklet to the employee on the day the employment or employment contract ends, against a receipt.
How is a work booklet issued?
| Municipality | What you submit | Deadline and fee |
| Podgorica | the application in two copies, the work booklet, a valid ID card or passport and proof of education, original for inspection | issued within 30 days |
| Herceg Novi | an application filled in in person, a new completely blank work booklet, your ID card, a residence certificate and personal attendance | no administrative fee |
- You buy the new blank work booklet yourself, and in Herceg Novi the application form comes with the booklet.
- As proof of education in Podgorica you submit your diploma, and for a foreign diploma the recognition decision.
- Anyone opening a booklet in Herceg Novi who is not from that municipality also brings a certificate that they have no open work booklet in their own municipality.
What applies to foreigners?
- The Municipality of Herceg Novi asks foreigners for an application filled in in person, a new blank booklet, a valid travel document and personal attendance.
- The original employment permit and the original decision approving residence in Montenegro are also attached.
- Foreigners pay no administrative fee in Herceg Novi either.
What if you lose the booklet or your details change?
- You declare a lost work booklet invalid in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.
- For a duplicate in Herceg Novi you submit an application, proof of the fee paid for the notice, a new blank booklet and your ID card.
- If you have changed your surname in the meantime, you also write the surname on the lost booklet on the payment slip for the notice.
- To add a qualification you submit your existing booklet and diploma, and for a foreign diploma also the Ministry of Education's recognition decision.
- To change your surname or correct an error you submit a birth or marriage register extract or a name change decision, no older than six months.
- Anyone without a work booklet can fill in a statement of not having one in Herceg Novi.
What are the fines for employers?
- An employer that is a legal entity and does not return the duly filled-in booklet on the day employment ends pays a fine of 2,000 to 20,000 euros.
- The responsible person in the legal entity pays 200 to 2,000 euros, and a sole trader 500 to 6,000 euros.
How a new employee is registered for insurance is covered in our guide to the JPR form, and registering with the Employment Agency in our guide to Employment Agency registration. Probation is covered in our guide to probation, and fixed-term work in our guide to fixed-term contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Does the work booklet still exist in Montenegro? Yes, because under the Labour Law every employee has a work booklet, which is a public document.
Who issues the work booklet? The competent local government body, that is, the municipality, and in Podgorica the Capital City.
What do you need for a work booklet in Podgorica? The application in two copies, the work booklet, a valid ID card or passport and proof of education.
How long does it take to get a work booklet in Podgorica? The Capital City issues the work booklet within 30 days.
What if I lose my work booklet? Declare it invalid in the Official Gazette and apply for a duplicate with a new blank booklet and your ID card.
When does the employer return the work booklet? On the day the employment ends, duly filled in and against a receipt.
Sources
The work booklet as a public document, handing it to the employer, its return and the fines are set by the Labour Law, Official Gazette 74/2019 (Articles 204, 205 and 208). The documents and deadline for issuing in Podgorica are published by the Capital City of Podgorica, and the documents for citizens and foreigners, duplicates, adding qualifications and changing a surname by the Municipality of Herceg Novi. The information was checked on 27 September 2026, and documents may differ between municipalities. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.