3 min read By DUO Enterprise
Cross-border rules for rental cars: Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and the green card
Planning to drive from Sarajevo to Croatia, Montenegro or Serbia? Here is what you need to book, which documents to carry and how to handle the border.
Bosnia and Herzegovina sits right in the middle of some of the most rewarding road trips in Europe. Dubrovnik, the Bay of Kotor and Belgrade are all within a day's drive of Sarajevo. If you plan to rent a car in Sarajevo and cross a border, a little preparation saves a lot of stress. Here is how it works with DUO Enterprise Rent a Car.
Book the "Cross border" option in advance
Leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina with one of our vehicles is only allowed when the "Cross border" option is part of your booking. This option is available exclusively together with our "Full coverage" insurance package, so you are properly protected wherever you drive.
You can add it yourself while booking online: in the extras step, select "Full coverage" and then tick "Cross border". If you are not yet sure whether you will leave the country, it is better to add it now than to change plans at the counter. Driving abroad without this option is not permitted under the rental terms.
When you collect the car, we hand over the rental documents together with the vehicle's green card and cross-border papers. Keep them in the car at all times.
Documents to carry at every border
Border officers can ask for any of the following, so keep them together and easy to reach:
- Passport or national ID card (depending on your nationality)
- A valid driving licence
- The vehicle registration document
- Your rental agreement and the authorisation to take the car abroad
- The green card (international motor insurance card) we provide
The green card proves the car has valid third-party insurance in the countries you visit. Without it, you could be asked to buy local border insurance or even be turned back.
Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia at a glance
Croatia
Croatia is a member of both the EU and the Schengen Area, so entering it means crossing an external Schengen border. Expect full passport or ID checks, and in summer, queues at popular crossings can be long. Note the Neum corridor: the coastal road towards Dubrovnik briefly passes through Bosnian territory at Neum, which means extra border crossings on that route.
Montenegro
Montenegro is not part of the EU. Border checks are standard, and the crossings towards Herceg Novi and the coast can get busy on summer weekends.
Serbia
Serbia is also outside the EU. The main routes from Sarajevo head east via Zvornik or Višegrad, and crossings are generally straightforward if your papers are in order.
Tolls, vignettes and timing
None of these three countries uses a vignette sticker. Motorway tolls in Croatia and Serbia are paid at toll booths, and Montenegro charges tolls on selected roads and tunnels. Carry some local currency or a card.
Always allow extra time at borders, especially on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and during the summer season. Rules and entry requirements can change, so please check the current regulations for your nationality before you travel.
Ready to plan your trip?
Choose a car that suits long distances on our fleet page, then pick it up at our desk for car rental at Sarajevo airport. Details on finding us are on the Sarajevo Airport location page. Add "Full coverage" and "Cross border" during booking, and the road to the Adriatic and beyond is open.
