Most tourists coming here often wonder: Is Montenegro in the EU or not? The short answer is no, Montenegro is not in the European Union. However, many are confused by the fact that the national currency here is the Euro. The question isn’t that complicated, and many people just mix up the terms. Let’s clear things up.

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montenegro eu euro area schengen nato
Here, for example, is a map of countries where the Euro is the currency. Montenegro is not on this map, even though its official currency is the Euro. How did this happen? Read on to find out.

Types of Unions in Europe: EU, Schengen, Eurozone, NATO

When tourists ask me if Montenegro in the European Union, almost 90% of the time, they actually mean something else. They want to know if a Schengen visa is required to enter the country and what the currency is. For many, there is no distinction between the European Union and the Eurozone.

Below, in the simplest terms, is everything about Montenegro and the unions it belongs to or doesn’t. This knowledge will also help you understand the situation in other European countries.

  • The European Union (EU) is a political union consisting of 27 European countries. They have a president and a parliament. The goal of the EU is a unified policy in the economic, social, and cultural life of its member states.
    • Here is the latest information on the EU member states on Wikipedia.
  • The Eurozone is a monetary union of 19 countries where the Euro is the primary currency.
  • The Schengen Area is a visa and customs union comprising 28 countries with no border controls between them, and unified visa rules.
  • NATO is a military alliance that includes most European countries, as well as Canada and the USA.
Any European country can belong to any of these unions and not belong to another.
Montenegro in the EU or not
Here’s a map of the EU member states. Candidates for membership are marked in orange, including Montenegro.
montenegro schengen or not
This is a map of the Schengen Area. It shows that Montenegro is not part of this union.

Which Unions Montenegro Belongs to and Which It Doesn’t

Now back to Montenegro. For detailed information about Montenegro on the world map Montenegro on the world map, its neighbors, and more, check out the linked article. In short, this Balkan country is a member of the following organizations/unions:

  • Montenegro is part of the Eurozone, or the Euro area (these terms are interchangeable). The official currency here is the Euro. However, there is a catch: officially, Montenegro is an unofficial member of the Eurozone (sorry for the wordplay).
    • This means the country was not formally included in the Eurozone, but it has unilaterally adopted the Euro as its national currency.
    • For detailed information about money in Montenegro, cards, banks, and how to pay, check out the article: the currency of Montenegro.
  • Montenegro is not in the European Union. However, it is an official candidate for membership. Previous candidates’ experience shows that a country can remain in this status for decades.
  • Schengen Area – Montenegro is not part of this union. The country has its own visa regime and entry requirements for foreigners.
    • To visit Montenegro, it doesn’t matter if you have a Schengen visa in your passport or not.
    • Read all about the visa to Montenegro in a separate article. There will also be entry rules and what else is required besides a passport.
Additionally, Montenegro is a NATO member. There are usually no questions about this, as people typically don’t confuse NATO with the EU.
Is montenegro part of the eurozone
Map of the Eurozone. Countries that use the Euro unilaterally are highlighted in blue

Is It Correct to Say that Montenegro in the EU?

Now you know the definitive answer to this question. Montenegro is not in the European Union or the Schengen Area, but it is in the Eurozone. Yes, these are all different concepts, although for many, they seem very similar and interconnected.

Here are some interesting examples of European countries:

Poland:

Poland has long been a member of the European Union (EU), it is also part of the Schengen Area and NATO. However, the country has its own currency, the Zloty, and does not plan to join the Eurozone.

Switzerland:

Switzerland is not part of any union except the Schengen Area.

I also recommend reading two articles that will answer many general questions for those planning to visit:

In conclusion, I hope everything is now clear in your mind, with less confusion. The answer to the question of whether Montenegro is in the European Union is simple and obvious. However, this is often not what many people are actually curious about. Most want to know about the country’s currency and visa regime.

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro

  • Aviasales – Cheap Flights and best deals.
  • Car rental in Montenegro:
    • DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
    • LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
  • Hotels and apartments all over the country:
    • Hotellook compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
    • Booking – the most popular booking platform
    • Agoda – even more accommodation options in Montenegro
  • Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
    • GetYourGuide – more than 430 tours
    • Viator – 780+ excursions and activities throughout the country
  • Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
  • Internet and Calls:
  • Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel