By Peter Falussy | Last Updated: January 14, 2026
TL;DR: Permit + Green Card required. Budget ~€70–110. Use Hani i Hotit or Muriqan. Print the Green Card.
This is the quick companion to our full Albania Cross-Border Car Rental article (fees, maps, and every neighbouring country in one place). If you only need fast, Montenegro-specific answers (Green Card, permit, documents, and the best border crossing), you’re in the right place.
Can you drive an Albanian rental car into Montenegro?
Yes — for most travellers, Albania → Montenegro is the easiest cross-border hop in the Balkans, but you must have two things: written cross-border authorisation (permit) from your rental company and Green Card (IMIC) insurance.
If your rental company can’t provide the paperwork, don’t “wing it”. Crossing without authorisation can void your rental agreement and your insurance.
For detailed fees across all Balkan countries, check the complete story →
How much does it cost to take an Albanian rental car into Montenegro?
In practice, budget €70–110 total for the typical scenario:
You’ll usually pay a cross-border permit fee (€40–60) plus a Green Card (€30–50). Some companies bundle the Green Card into the permit fee, others charge it separately.
Compare cross-border cars with flexible deposit options on Localrent
Or filter “cross-border allowed” across major brands on DiscoverCars
For the full fee breakdown (including edge cases and other countries), jump to the main guide For detailed fees across all Balkan countries, see the full breakdown →
Is the Albania→Montenegro cross-border fee one-time or per day?
For Montenegro, it’s typically a one-time fee for the entire rental period, not a daily charge.
Still, always confirm the pricing model in writing before pickup — “per day” cross-border fees exist in the region, and they can quietly double your total.
Do I need a Green Card for Montenegro?
Yes. For Albanian-registered rental cars, Montenegro requires Green Card (IMIC) insurance.
Also important: the Green Card is minimum legal third-party liability. It does not magically become “full coverage” just because you crossed a border.
If you want a plain-English breakdown of what insurance actually covers (and what it doesn’t), use this FAQ
Is a PDF / digital Green Card accepted at the Albania–Montenegro border?
Yes — PDF/electronic Green Cards are accepted by Albanian and Montenegrin authorities (still, printing a backup is smart).
Practical reality: phone screens die, signal drops, border guards want fast processing. A printed copy keeps you moving.
Can I buy the Green Card at the border?
Two ways to get it:
Option 1: From your rental company (recommended)
Most Albanian rental companies issue the Green Card when you book cross-border permission. They typically charge €30–50, and this fee is included in your total rental price (already paid). You get the document at pickup.
Option 2: Buy it yourself at the border (backup plan)
If your rental company doesn’t provide it, you can buy Green Card insurance at a border booth (small office on the left with “Border Insurance Green Card” sign).
Price: €15 for a 15-day basic policy (Montenegro only). If you need multi-country coverage or longer duration, expect €30–50.
Which is better? Get it from your rental company. It’s one less thing to worry about at the border, and the price is similar. Only use the border booth if your rental company forgot to provide it or if you’re driving your own car.
Bring cash (Euros) as a backup. Border booths are staffed 24/7 at major crossings (Hani i Hotit, Muriqan).
For the “how to get it” options (company-issued vs border purchase vs online), see the full guide
What do I need for Albania → Montenegro border crossing?
Have a folder ready. In 2026, you’ll typically need:
Your passport, your driving licence, your rental agreement, a cross-border authorisation letter (written permission), Green Card (IMIC), and the car’s registration papers (your rental company provides these).
International Driving Permit (IDP): not always checked, but it’s legally required if your licence isn’t in Roman script.
For the complete checklist (and what to do if documents are missing), go here →
Which Albania–Montenegro border crossing should I use?
Most travellers use one of these:
Hani i Hotit (Božaj): the main route between Shkodër and Podgorica.
Muriqan–Sukobin: closer to the coast if you’re heading towards Ulcinj.
Both are paved, well-marked, and typically staffed 24/7. In summer, peak waits can hit roughly 30–45 minutes in the late morning / early afternoon. If you want a smoother experience, cross early or later in the evening.
If you are using Shkodër as your base before crossing, don’t miss the drive up the SH21 to Theth. Just make sure you’ve picked the right car for the Albanian Alps before heading into the mountains.
What’s the easiest driving route from Tirana to Montenegro?
The standard route is straightforward: Tirana → Shkodër → border (Hani i Hotit). The SH1 highway is paved, and fuel stations are plentiful until you get close to the border area. Since you are already driving through Shkodër, many travellers take a detour into the Accursed Mountains—just check our guide on whether the SH21 road to Theth is safe for your specific rental car before heading up.
If you like keeping things simple, sleep in Shkodër and cross early — fewer queues, less stress.
What happens if I show up without the permit or Green Card?
This is the exact scenario that ruins road trips.
If you don’t have written authorisation and the correct insurance proof, the border crossing can become a hard stop: you may be refused entry, or your rental agreement can be treated as void the moment you attempt to cross.
Also, crossing without permission can trigger rental-company penalties after the fact (many cars are GPS-tracked), and insurance issues abroad can become very expensive very quickly.
Common mistake: Rental company says “we’ll email the Green Card before pickup” — then it doesn’t arrive in time. Fix: ask for the Green Card/permit at pickup (PDF + printed copy). If they can’t provide it, don’t drive to the border — contact the company immediately and sort the paperwork before you leave the city.
When in doubt: don’t argue at the border. Call your rental company and ask them to email the missing document while you’re parked.
For real-world examples of unauthorised crossings (and what happens), read more →
Does the Green Card cover damage to my rental car in Montenegro?
No. Green Card is third-party liability (damage you cause to others). It typically does not cover damage to your rental car, theft, glass, tyres, or undercarriage.
To protect your own rental car, you’re looking at CDW / full protection packages, and you should confirm whether roadside assistance applies outside Albania.
If you want quick, practical answers on insurance traps (glass/tyres/undercarriage exclusions etc.), start here.
Will roadside assistance work in Montenegro?
Not always. Some Albanian rental companies keep roadside assistance strictly “inside Albania”. Before you cross, confirm:
- Does roadside assistance cover Montenegro?
- What number do you call from abroad?
- What’s the process if you need towing?
If you’re booking via a broker/aggregator, check whether their support and protection products help when you’re outside Albania.
Check whether roadside assistance covers Montenegro on DiscoverCars
Or book with local companies (direct contact usually by WhatsApp, flexible terms) on Rent from Locals
How do I book the right Albania rental car for Montenegro without last-minute drama?
The best way to avoid border problems is boring but effective:
Tell the company during booking, not at pickup, that you’re crossing into Montenegro. Then make sure the paperwork is confirmed in writing.
For the step-by-step booking process (and fine print traps), see here →
Also asked: What about Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, or Serbia?
If your trip changes last minute, these one-liners can save you time — but for each destination, use the full guide for the exact rule + cost logic:
Kosovo: Kosovo doesn’t use the Green Card system the same way — you’ll need the correct insurance proof from your rental company.
North Macedonia: sometimes you must buy insurance at the border; rules are supplier-dependent.
Greece: rarely allowed with Albanian rentals; paperwork and fees can be heavy.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: usually requires routing through Montenegro; insurance handling can get more complex.
Croatia: technically possible but often rare and expensive, especially one-way.
Serbia: Green Card rules apply; confirm your card doesn’t have “SRB” crossed out.
Complete country-by-country overview →
About the Author
As a property owner on the Albanian coast, I not only rent out holiday apartments but also travel and document the country extensively. My articles share first-hand tips about accommodation, beaches, hikes, and prices in Albania, including practical advice on navigating the region’s rental car system. This article may contain affiliate links — at no extra cost to you — which help keep this site running.
