eSIM vs Local SIM Card in Montenegro: Which Is Better for Travelers

Montenegro has three local operators – MTEL, One, and Crnogorski Telekom – offering tourist SIM cards with massive data packages (500 GB – 1 TB) for 10–20 €. That is remarkably cheap. But eSIM providers let you connect before your plane even lands, with no queues or passport registration. Here is a detailed comparison of both options with actual prices and hidden catches.

Key takeaways:

• Local SIM cards start at 5 € for a basic Crnogorski Telekom card and 10 € for tourist packages from MTEL or One – passport required
• eSIM activates in 2 minutes via QR code, but costs more per gigabyte on small plans
• Coverage is identical – most eSIM providers run on the same MTEL, One, and Telekom networks
• At Podgorica and Tivat airports, SIM cards are sold at kiosks, but selection and prices can be worse than in-town shops
• For multi-country Balkan trips, a regional eSIM is cheaper than buying separate SIMs in each country
• Passport registration is mandatory when purchasing a physical SIM card in Montenegro

Three operators share the market roughly equally. There is no meaningful coverage difference along the coast and in major cities (Budva, Podgorica, Kotor, Tivat). In mountainous areas (Zabljak, Kolasin), Crnogorski Telekom performs best thanks to its more extensive tower infrastructure.

Note: with your first top-up of 5 € or more, MTEL doubles your data allowance – you get an extra 500 GB on top. This makes MTEL the most generous operator by sheer volume.

All three operators sell SIM cards as physical cards and as eSIMs directly through their websites. However, purchasing an eSIM from a local operator still requires ID registration.

Physical cards are available at operator-branded stores (present in every major city), newsstands, tobacco shops, and airports. At Podgorica and Tivat airports, SIM cards are sold at convenience stores in the arrivals area, but not all operators may be represented, and package options can be limited. If a specific operator matters to you, head to a branded store in town.

A passport or EU ID is required for purchase. The seller activates the card on the spot – the process takes 5–10 minutes.

An eSIM is a fully digital SIM card installed via QR code. The main advantage: you can buy and activate it before departure. No passport needed, no store to find. Your phone must support eSIM (most smartphones from 2020 onward do).

In terms of pure cost per gigabyte, local SIM cards win by a wide margin: 15 € gets you 500 GB from MTEL, while the same amount buys 5–15 GB from an eSIM provider. But realistically, using 500 GB during a two-week holiday is nearly impossible – navigation, messaging, and social media typically consume 5–10 GB.

An eSIM becomes the rational choice in several scenarios. If you arrive on a late-night flight and do not want to hunt for a SIM kiosk at the airport, your eSIM is already active when you step off the plane. If you plan to visit Croatia, Albania, or other European countries after Montenegro, a regional eSIM package (Amigo eSIM at {18 €[AFF_AMIGOESIM\|https://amigoesim.pxf.io/c/6239201/2900873/34019?irck=xyz12&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amigosim.com%2Fesim-montenegro]} for 10 GB across 30+ countries, or Voye at {15 €[AFF_VOYE\|https://voyeglobalconnectivity.pxf.io/POYg1X]} for 5 GB across Europe) costs less than buying a separate SIM in each country.

If you are spending more than two weeks in Montenegro, working remotely, and consuming heavy traffic (video calls, streaming), a local MTEL card at 20 € with 1 TB for 30 days has no equivalent in the eSIM world. If you need local calls and SMS, most eSIMs do not provide them. If your phone does not support eSIM, a physical card is your only option.

Montenegro ranks 47th in the global mobile speed index. Average download speed is around 97 Mbps, which is excellent for a small country. Along the coast (Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi, Tivat) and in Podgorica, 4G works reliably across all three operators.

Problem areas include mountain passes, tunnels on the Podgorica – Kolasin highway, and some sections of national parks. In the Tara River canyon, all operators may lose signal. Crnogorski Telekom traditionally shows the best coverage in remote areas.

eSIM providers connect to the same networks, so there is no difference in coverage or speed between a physical SIM and an eSIM.

For most travelers visiting for 7–14 days, the best approach is to buy a cheap eSIM in advance for the first days (for example, GoMoWorld at {3.99 €[AFF_GOMOWORLD\|https://gomoworld.pxf.io/xLXvv5]} for 2 GB/7 days, or Esim4travel at {~3.70 €[AFF_ESIM4TRAVEL\|https://esim4travel.pxf.io/e1J2zg]} for 3 GB), then pick up a local SIM in town if you need more. This way you are never without connectivity in your first hours and do not overpay for a large eSIM package.

For multi-country Balkan travelers, a regional eSIM is the only sensible option. Local SIM cards provide minimal roaming data in the WB6 zone (typically 2–8 GB), and are useless outside the Balkans.

Read also: Why Use an eSIM in Montenegro?, What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work, What Are the Advantages of eSIM Compared to a Regular SIM?

1. Can I buy a SIM card at the airport in Montenegro? Yes, SIM cards are sold at convenience stores in the arrivals area of Podgorica and Tivat airports. However, selection is limited: not all operators may be available, and prices can be slightly higher than at city stores. If a specific plan is not critical, grab whatever is available.

2. Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Montenegro? Yes, Montenegrin law requires passport or EU ID registration when purchasing a physical SIM card. This applies to all three operators at any point of sale. Buying an eSIM from international providers (Airalo, Saily, Yesim) does not require registration.

3. Does a Montenegrin SIM card work in Serbia or Albania? Partially. Since 2021, roaming in the WB6 zone (Serbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo) has been eliminated for calls and SMS. But data allowances in roaming are heavily limited – typically 2–8 GB even on a 500 GB plan. For full internet access outside Montenegro, a regional eSIM is a better choice.

4. Which eSIM provider is cheapest for Montenegro? By cost per gigabyte, Esim4travel leads at ~10.20 € for 10 GB (about 1 € per gigabyte). For unlimited data, Airalo offers an unlimited 10-day plan at 32.50 €. Check visa requirements and payment methods for your nationality before purchasing.

5. Can I use an eSIM and a regular SIM card simultaneously? Yes, most modern smartphones support Dual SIM: one physical card plus one eSIM. This is convenient if you want to keep your home number for calls while using the eSIM for internet in Montenegro.

Local Montenegrin operators offer incredibly generous data packages by European standards – 500 GB for 15 € is hard to beat. But eSIM wins on convenience: instant activation, no registration, multi-country coverage on a single plan. If your phone supports eSIM and you are not planning to stream 24/7, the smart compromise is an affordable eSIM for the first few days plus a local SIM if needed.

Sources:

MTEL – tourist tariffs and eSIM

One Montenegro – tourist plans

Crnogorski Telekom – SIM cards and eSIM

Agency for Electronic Communications of Montenegro

Speedtest Global Index – Montenegro ranking