01Personal safety in town
Personal safety in town
When walking along Petrovac Beach or spending time on the beach, take extra care of your belongings in a crowd. It is easier to lose sight of a bag or phone, so the main concern is the possibility of petty theft.
If theft does occur, report it to the police at 122. If a payment card is missing along with your wallet, contact your bank to block it. The bank prevents further use of the card, while the police take the theft report and establish what happened.
02Getting around at night and travelling alone
Getting around at night and travelling alone
Petrovac is suitable for solo visits and evenings out with ordinary personal precautions. If you take a taxi back to your accommodation, using an officially licensed service means you know who the operator is and have a contact you can turn to. You can find service contacts in the practical information for Petrovac.
03Problems with tourist services
Problems with tourist services
If a tourist service differs from what was agreed or you are charged for something you did not use, you have grounds to ask for an explanation and make a complaint. Such a disagreement is not, by itself, evidence of fraud. The responsible inspection authority handles irregularities in service provision, while suspected criminal offences are reported to the police.
Taxis and unlicensed transport
For journeys within Petrovac, choose an officially licensed taxi service with an identifiable operator. You can find service contacts in the practical information for Petrovac.
If you disagree with the fare charged, first ask the operator to explain the amount. Petrovac is part of Budva municipality, where the Municipal Inspection and Municipal Police oversee irregularities in taxi services. You can contact them at +382 68 861 303 or [email protected]. The vehicle's registration number, and the place and time of the journey, link your report to the specific event. Include the receipt if you have it.
Accommodation and restaurant services
For a problem with accommodation or restaurant service, the complaint should address what was agreed and what you received. A receipt, booking confirmation or correspondence may show the difference, so first contact the establishment with the documentation you have. You can report an irregularity in accommodation or restaurant service to the tourism inspection authority at [email protected].
Reporting suspected fraud
The police handle suspected criminal fraud, theft or threats. You can make a report by calling 122 or visiting a police station. Any payment confirmation, correspondence and provider details you have can help explain what happened. A police report is used to establish whether a criminal offence may have occurred, but does not by itself mean that money will be refunded.
04Vehicle hire
Vehicle hire
The deposit you provide when hiring a car is separate from the hire price and is a normal part of the contract. A problem arises if the agency does not explain why it is retaining the deposit or charges you for damage you dispute. Such a dispute is addressed under the agreed terms and by comparing the car's condition at collection and return.
Registered agencies and hire terms
Hire a car only from an agency with a registered vehicle hire business and operating approval, or through the Hire And Travel platform, which brings together offers from such agencies. The contract should clearly identify the agency and state the hire price and deposit terms. This tells you who is responsible for the contractual obligations and where to direct any complaint.
For questions about a car hire agency's operating approval in Petrovac, contact Budva municipality's Secretariat for Economy at [email protected]. This office handles applications for approval to operate a vehicle hire business.
Deposits and damage charges
A deposit may be a card hold or a payment, depending on the contract. If you are charged for damage when returning the car, the condition reports and photos from collection and return provide a comparison of the vehicle's condition. They help clarify which damage is being charged for and whether it was already there. For damage or an extra charge you dispute, ask the agency for a written breakdown and the basis for the charge.
Releasing a card hold does not mean that the funds are immediately available in your account. If the agency has released the hold but the money is still unavailable, contact your bank to check the status of the release. This differs from a case in which the agency retains the deposit. Suspected criminal fraud should be reported to the police at 122.
Comparing offers and booking support
Through the Hire And Travel platform, you can compare offers from verified, legally operating car hire agencies in Petrovac for your dates. As well as the hire price, the deposit and insurance terms show the obligations you accept for the chosen vehicle. If a dispute arises over a booking made through the platform, send your complaint to the agency and platform support, with the booking confirmation and payment documentation.
05Road safety
Road safety
From Petrovac, you can follow the coastal road towards Budva or Bar. Coastal roads carry more traffic during the summer tourist season, so journeys outside built-up areas may take longer. If you need to arrive at an agreed time to collect or return a hire car, allow for that travel time.
Traffic moves faster on main-road sections outside built-up areas than on town streets, and crashes at higher speeds have more serious consequences. When continuing onto an open road, adjust your speed to the section you are driving on, especially after slower driving through a town.
06Health and weather
Health and weather
A long walk along Petrovac Beach or time spent on the beach increases heat stress in very hot weather. Children, older people, and travellers with chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable. Walking during a cooler part of the day and resting somewhere cool reduce the time you spend in the most intense heat.
07Outdoor safety
Outdoor safety
Petrovac Beach and Lucice Beach are options for swimming in Petrovac. When deciding when to enter the sea, consider the day's conditions and any warnings and instructions for that particular beach.
Beach signs and swimming areas
If signal flags are displayed at the beach, follow them. Green means swimming is permitted, yellow indicates restricted swimming and possible danger, while red means swimming is prohibited or warns that the lifeguard is off duty. Follow other posted warnings, as well as the lifeguard's instructions where one is present.
Boats and other vessels use Montenegro's coastal waters, especially in summer. Be aware of nearby vessels when swimming and use a designated swimming area where one is available.
08Local rules and documents
Local rules and documents
Foreign visitors in Montenegro should carry a valid identity document and show it to an authorised official when requested. Which document is accepted depends on the basis of your stay and the document that permitted entry. A photo or copy of the original may help establish your details, but it does not replace a valid document.
If you lose the document, report the loss without delay to the responsible police service or your country's diplomatic or consular mission. A saved document number or copy then makes it easier to obtain a replacement.
09Emergencies and assistance
Emergencies and assistance
In an emergency, you can call 112, the common number that connects you with the appropriate service. It is especially useful if you are unsure whether you need the police, fire service or emergency medical assistance. You can also call each service directly using the numbers listed below.
Roadside assistance and hired vehicles
If your vehicle breaks down, AMSCG roadside assistance is available at 19807. If the car is hired, also notify the agency, since the hire terms determine how assistance is arranged and what happens to the vehicle. After an accident, the documentation required by the agency also matters, including a police report when needed for the particular case.
The cost of assistance depends on the vehicle, contract and service coverage. AMSCG assistance is not free for every vehicle, so the cost for a hire car also needs to be clarified under the hire terms.
