The +382 country code belongs to Montenegro, one of the smallest countries in southeastern Europe with a population of about 620,000. Montenegro got its own country code in 2007, a year after declaring independence from Serbia. Before that, the country shared +381 with Serbia. If you're calling a number that starts with +382, it connects to Montenegro.
Quick answer: +382 is Montenegro's country code. Montenegrin mobile numbers have 8 digits after the country code and start with 6. Landline numbers are 6-8 digits depending on the city. Drop the leading 0 used in domestic dialing when calling from abroad. Example: +382 67 123 456.
How to call Montenegro: quick reference
When calling Montenegro from abroad, drop the leading 0 from the domestic number. The format varies slightly depending on which country you're calling from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +382 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-382-[local number] |
| UK | 00-382-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-382-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-382-[local number] |
| France | 00-382-[local number] |
Understanding Montenegro phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Montenegrin mobile numbers are 8 digits after the country code and always start with 6. The second digit identifies the carrier:
- 67 - Crnogorski Telekom (T-Com)
- 68 - m:tel (formerly Promonte)
- 69 - One Montenegro (formerly Telenor)
Format: +382 6X XXX XXX
Landline numbers
Landlines use 2-digit area codes. The total number after +382 is 6-8 digits depending on the city. Domestically, you add a 0 before the area code.
| Area code | City/Region |
|---|---|
| 20 | Podgorica (capital) |
| 30 | Bar |
| 31 | Herceg Novi |
| 32 | Kotor |
| 33 | Cetinje |
| 40 | Pljevlja |
| 41 | Nikšić |
| 50 | Bijelo Polje |
| 51 | Berane |
| 52 | Žabljak |
Mobile carriers in Montenegro
Montenegro has three mobile operators sharing a small but competitive market.
Crnogorski Telekom (T-Com)
The largest operator, owned by Deutsche Telekom. It is the former state telecom company and has the widest coverage, including rural and mountainous areas. Mobile numbers start with 67.
m:tel Montenegro
Previously known as Promonte, rebranded to m:tel in 2019. Owned by Telekom Srbija. Has strong coverage along the coast and in major cities. Mobile numbers start with 68.
One Montenegro
Formerly Telenor Montenegro, rebranded to One in 2023 after acquisition by CK Hutchison. Popular with younger users and tourists due to competitive prepaid plans. Mobile numbers start with 69.
Don't confuse +382 with nearby codes
Montenegro's +382 sits in the middle of a cluster of Balkan country codes that are easy to mix up, especially since several of these countries were once part of Yugoslavia and shared +381.
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +381 | Serbia | Montenegro used this code until 2007; one digit off |
| +385 | Croatia | Neighboring Adriatic country, similar code range |
| +387 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Shares a long border, codes differ by one digit |
| +383 | Kosovo | Sequential code, also formerly part of Serbia's +381 |
The +381/+382 mix-up is by far the most common. Montenegro and Serbia were the same country until 2006, so older contact lists, business cards, and even some databases still have +381 for Montenegrin numbers. If a +381 call to a Montenegrin number doesn't connect, try +382 instead.
Time zone considerations
Montenegro uses Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October. This puts it on the same clock as Germany, France, Italy, and most of Western/Central Europe.
| Your location | Winter offset | Summer offset |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Montenegro is +6 hours | Montenegro is +6 hours |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | Montenegro is +9 hours | Montenegro is +9 hours |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Montenegro is +1 hour | Montenegro is +1 hour |
| Australia (AEDT/AEST) | Montenegro is -10 hours | Montenegro is -8 hours |
Business hours in Montenegro are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Government offices often close by 3:00 PM.
Communication in Montenegro
Business culture
Montenegro has a relatively informal business culture compared to Western Europe. Meetings may start late, and personal relationships matter more than agendas. Phone calls are preferred over email for anything time-sensitive, and it's common to call business contacts on their mobile rather than an office line.
Language
The official language is Montenegrin, which is mutually intelligible with Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian. Younger Montenegrins in Podgorica and the coastal towns often speak English, but outside these areas you may need to communicate in the local language. Italian is also understood along parts of the coast due to historical ties.
Network quality
4G coverage is good along the coast and in Podgorica, Nikšić, and other larger towns. In the mountainous interior (which makes up most of the country), coverage can be patchy. The Bay of Kotor and Budva coastline have reliable service due to heavy tourist traffic. 5G rollout started in 2024 but is limited to parts of Podgorica so far.
The Montenegro diaspora
Where they went
Montenegro's small population means even modest emigration numbers create large diaspora communities relative to the home country. Serbia has the largest Montenegrin community due to shared history and language. Germany and Austria have growing communities, particularly since the 2010s as younger Montenegrins seek work in the EU. The US has a community centered around New York and Chicago, with roots going back to early 20th century immigration. Argentina (particularly Buenos Aires) has a community dating to post-WWII emigration.
Why they call home
Family ties are strong in Montenegrin culture, and regular phone contact is expected. The summer tourist season (June-September) generates a spike in calls as diaspora members coordinate trips back to the coast. Orthodox holidays, particularly Christmas (January 7) and Easter, are peak calling periods. Real estate transactions also drive calls, as many diaspora members own property along the Adriatic coast.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Podgorica
Your friend's domestic number is 067 123 456. Drop the leading 0 and dial: +382 67 123 456. From a US landline: 011-382-67-123-456.
Calling a landline in Kotor
The office number is 032 325 678. Drop the 0 and dial: +382 32 325 678. From a UK phone: 00-382-32-325-678.
Calling a mobile from Australia
The number is 069 876 543. Drop the 0 and dial: +382 69 876 543. From an Australian landline: 0011-382-69-876-543.
Calling within Montenegro
For domestic calls, keep the leading 0. To call a Podgorica landline from Kotor, dial 020 followed by the subscriber number. Mobile-to-mobile calls within Montenegro also use the 0 prefix (e.g., 067 123 456).
Common mistakes to avoid
Using +381 instead of +382
This is the most common mistake. Montenegro used Serbia's +381 code until 2007, and many contacts, databases, and old websites still list +381 for Montenegrin numbers. If your call to a Montenegrin contact via +381 doesn't go through, switch to +382.
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
Domestically, Montenegrins dial 067, 020, etc. When calling from abroad, drop that leading 0. Dial +382 67, not +382 067. Adding the 0 gives you too many digits and the call will fail.
Mixing up Balkan country codes
The 38x block covers several former Yugoslav countries: +381 Serbia, +382 Montenegro, +383 Kosovo, +385 Croatia, +386 Slovenia, +387 Bosnia. Double-check which country you're actually calling, especially for contacts near the borders where people may have SIM cards from neighboring countries.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +382 code?
Montenegro. The code was assigned in 2007 after Montenegro became independent from Serbia in 2006. Before that, Montenegro shared +381 with Serbia.
How many digits are in a Montenegrin phone number?
Mobile numbers have 8 digits after +382 (e.g., +382 67 123 456). Landline numbers are 6-8 digits after +382, depending on the city and area code.
Do I need to dial 0 before the number when calling from abroad?
No. The 0 is a domestic trunk prefix. Drop it when dialing from outside Montenegro. For example, a domestic number 067 123 456 becomes +382 67 123 456 internationally.
What's the difference between +381 and +382?
+381 is Serbia, +382 is Montenegro. They were the same country until 2006 and shared +381. Montenegrin numbers were migrated to +382 in 2007. If you have an old +381 number for a Montenegrin contact, try it with +382 instead.
How do I tell if a Montenegrin number is mobile or landline?
Mobile numbers start with 6 after the country code (67, 68, or 69). Landline numbers start with a 2-digit area code like 20 (Podgorica), 32 (Kotor), or 41 (Nikšić).
Looking for more Balkan dialing guides? Check our guides for Serbia (+381), Croatia (+385), and Slovenia (+386), or browse the full country codes directory.