Queues: Croatia–Montenegro border today

About the border: Croatia–Montenegro border

The Croatian-Montenegrin border is short and lies at the very southern tip of Croatia, between the Konavle area near Dubrovnik and the Bay of Kotor. Croatia is in the EU and, since 1 January 2023, in Schengen; Montenegro remains outside the Union, although it uses the euro as its currency. This is therefore an external EU and Schengen border with full passport and customs checks on both sides, and non-EU travellers are also registered in the EU's entry/exit system.

The page covers a single crossing: Karasovići–Debeli Brijeg, on the coastal road linking Dubrovnik and its airport at Čilipi with Herceg Novi and on to Kotor, Budva and the rest of the Montenegrin coast. It is the main road crossing on this border, so it takes almost all tourist traffic, excursion coaches and local journeys. Queues can form here in both directions.

The hardest period is the summer season, especially July and August, when day trips from Dubrovnik to the Bay of Kotor and from Montenegro to Dubrovnik add to the holiday traffic. According to our data, Saturdays tend to be worst towards Montenegro and Fridays towards Croatia. Outside the season the crossing is usually much quicker. In peak season the queue can stretch well back along the narrow coastal road, so carry water and build it into your plans for the day.

Before setting off, have a passport or ID card ready and proof of insurance valid in Montenegro, such as a green card. Montenegro charges tourists a local tourist tax, usually collected through the accommodation. If you are planning a day trip, allow extra time for the return – the afternoon queue into Croatia can be longer than the morning one.

When to go

Border queues are usually shortest at night, roughly between 01:00 and 05:00, and longest in the evening and at weekends. In the holiday season the Balkan-route peak falls on Saturdays. Check the live figures above before setting off.