# Security in Podgorica, Montenegro

Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/podgorica/

Security briefing for Podgorica, Montenegro. Medium risk: organised crime clan violence, improving. NATO member, EU candidate. FCDO and US State Dept advisories 2026.


## Threats

- **Organised Crime and Inter-Clan Violence**: Montenegro has been affected by a prolonged and violent conflict between rival drug trafficking organisations, principally the Kavac clan and the Skaljari clan, since 2016. This conflict has resulted in dozens of killings and has exported violence to other countries where both clans operate. The FCDO specifically warns visitors to be alert to the risk of bystander exposure to criminal violence (FCDO Montenegro travel advice, 2026). Montenegro's position on drug trafficking routes from South America through the Balkans to Western Europe has given these clans significant financial resources.
- **Corruption and Governance**: Montenegro's EU accession process has driven anti-corruption reforms, but the country has historically had close links between organised crime and political networks. The FCDO notes organised crime as a specific concern. The business environment requires due-diligence procedures appropriate to a jurisdiction with residual governance challenges.
- **Road Safety**: Montenegro's mountainous terrain, seasonal tourism traffic, and inconsistent driving standards contribute to elevated road accident rates. The FCDO notes road safety as a concern for visitors, particularly on mountain roads and at night.

## Regulations

- **Licensing**: Private security in Montenegro is governed by the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property (Službeni list Crne Gore 43/2018, amended 89/2025), not a 2012 'Law on Private Security'. The police issue the approval a company needs to provide protection (art. 18) and the individual licence for protection work (art. 33), with appeal to the Ministry of Interior, which also supervises compliance (art. 73). Protecting people is covered (art. 8), and bodyguard (tjelohranitelj) is a separate licence (art. 28).
- **Firearms**: Security companies may acquire firearms and ammunition for staff doing physical protection and must store them securely (art. 16). Firearm use is limited to holders of the protection officer for persons and property (zaštitar lica i imovine) and cash-escort licences, and only where other means of force cannot protect life in immediate danger (art. 53). A holder of the bodyguard (tjelohranitelj) licence may not use firearms (art. 47(5)). Commercial close protection in Podgorica is typically unarmed.
- **Foreign operators**: The responsible person in a security company and each licence holder must have residence or approved stay in Montenegro (arts. 20 and 29); provisions opening these roles to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens apply from Montenegro's EU accession date (arts. 20a, 29a, 82a). A foreign protection officer therefore cannot work under a home-country licence; international operators partner with Montenegrin companies holding police approval.

Sources, checked 2026-10-14:

- [Zakon o zaštiti lica i imovine (Law on the Protection of Persons and Property), Službeni list Crne Gore 43/2018 and 89/2025, consolidated text published by the Central Bank of Montenegro](https://www.cbcg.me/slike_i_fajlovi/fajlovi/fajlovi_brzi_linkovi/propisi/zakoni/ostali_zakoni/zakon_o_zastiti_lica_i_imovine_prec_tekst_89-25.pdf)

## Zones

Lower-risk areas:

- Central Podgorica, including the Old City (Stara Varos) and the main hotel and commercial areas, is generally safe for visitors during business hours.
- The airport road corridor (Podgorica Airport TGD) is a standard business route with established transport options.

Elevated-risk areas:

- Some outer Podgorica residential areas: criminal activity from organised crime presence.
- Mountain roads at night: elevated road accident risk.
- Popular nightlife areas late at night: bystander risk from organised crime violence at entertainment venues.

## Emergency contacts

- Police: 122
- Fire service: 123
- Medical emergency: 124
- Clinical Center of Montenegro: +382 20 412 412
- Codra Hospital (private, English-speaking, surgery and anaesthesia), Radosava Burica, pod Ljubovic, Podgorica: +382 69 300 300 (source: FCDO, 'List of private medical facilities in Montenegro', gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-medical-facilities-in-montenegro/list-of-private-medical-facilities-in-montenegro, verified 2026-08-31: Codra Hospital, codrahospital@codra.me, 382 (0)69 300 300, Radosava Burica pod Ljubovic Podgorica, English spoken Yes, offering anaesthesia, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, pathology, radiology and surgery. NOTE: this entry replaces a claim that Euromedik operates in Podgorica. Euromedik is a SERBIAN network; its own locations page lists Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Pancevo and Zemun only, and no facility of that name appears anywhere on this FCDO list of 20 Podgorica private facilities. The name had been transplanted from Belgrade. Do not reinstate it.)
- Emergency Services (112, answered by Operational Communications Centre 112 at the Ministry of Interior, which forwards to police, rescue, ambulance or maritime safety): 112 (source: EKIP, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services of Montenegro, brochure 'Jedinstveni evropski broj za pozive u hitnim slucajevima': calls to 112 in Montenegro are received at the Operativno komunikacioni centar 112 within the Directorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Interior and forwarded to the police, protection and rescue services, emergency medical assistance or the maritime safety service, while 122, 123, 124 and 129 continue to take calls. Verified 2026-08-31)

## Warnings

- The FCDO advises exercising a high degree of caution in Montenegro, noting organised crime violence including incidents that affect bystanders. Source: FCDO Montenegro travel advice (2026).
- The US State Department advises Exercise Normal Precautions in Montenegro (Level 1, 2026).
- Be alert to the ongoing conflict between the Kavac and Skaljari organised crime clans, which has produced targeted killings in public spaces including restaurants and public areas. Avoid known criminal hotspots.
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) provides connections to European hubs. Pre-arrange vetted transport for arrivals; use only verified transport services.
- Medical care in Podgorica is available at the Clinical Center of Montenegro. For specialist care, medical evacuation to Belgrade, Tirana, or Vienna is standard contingency. Arrange comprehensive medical insurance with evacuation cover.

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, a small Adriatic nation of approximately 620,000 people that joined NATO in 2017 and has been in EU accession negotiations since 2012. The city's security environment is dominated by the ongoing conflict between the Kavac and Skaljari organised crime clans -- rival drug trafficking networks that have been at war since 2016 and whose conflict has produced targeted killings in public spaces, including incidents in Podgorica itself. The FCDO specifically advises visitors to be alert to the risk of bystander exposure to criminal violence (FCDO Montenegro travel advice, 2026).

For corporate visitors to Podgorica, the primary security considerations are awareness of the organised crime threat landscape, the use of vetted transport, appropriate due-diligence for business dealings in a market with residual governance challenges, and road safety on Montenegro's mountain roads. The US State Department advises Exercise Normal Precautions (Level 1, 2026).

Montenegro's growing tourism and real estate investment sector, and its status as one of Europe's smaller but developing financial service centres, is attracting increasing international business activity. Executive protection and security driver services are available through licensed Montenegrin operators. For regional security context, see our [security briefing for Tirana](/cities/tirana/) and our [Sarajevo security briefing](/cities/sarajevo/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the organised crime threat to visitors in Podgorica?

The Kavac-Skaljari clan conflict is the most significant criminal security concern in Podgorica. While the violence is primarily targeted at rival gang members, incidents have occurred in public spaces, including restaurants and streets, creating bystander risk. Visitors should maintain situational awareness in entertainment areas, avoid confrontations with unknown individuals, and use vetted transport to reduce exposure to situations involving criminal actors. The FCDO specifically highlights this risk (FCDO Montenegro, 2026).

### Is close protection available in Podgorica?

Executive protection and security driver services are available in Podgorica through operators licensed under the Montenegrin Law on the Protection of Persons and Property (2018). Mobile close protection and vetted airport transfers are available for corporate and HNW clients. Experienced operators maintain awareness of the organised crime threat landscape and can provide specific route and venue advice.

### How is Montenegro's EU accession process affecting the security environment?

Montenegro has been in EU accession negotiations since 2012 -- the longest-running accession negotiation of any Balkans candidate. EU membership requirements have driven significant reforms in the rule of law, anti-corruption, and organised crime prosecution. Results have been mixed: organised crime clans remain active, but the regulatory and institutional environment has improved. The accession process is the principal driver of governance improvement and reduces the corruption risk environment for corporate investors over the medium term.

### What are the medical facilities in Podgorica?

The Clinical Center of Montenegro is the main public hospital. Private facilities including Codra Hospital provide better standards of care for routine cases. For specialist care, medical evacuation to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (approximately 3 hours by road) or Vienna (approximately 1.5 hours by air) is standard. Arrange comprehensive medical insurance with evacuation cover before extended Podgorica assignments.