Languages in Montenegro

Montenegrin, locally called crnogorski jezik, is the official language of Montenegro. Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian are also used officially in accordance with local and minority-language arrangements. The Cyrillic and Latin alphabets have equal status. The 2023 census recorded Serbian as the mother tongue of 43.18% of the population, Montenegrin 34.52%, Bosnian 6.97% and Albanian 5.25%. These figures describe declared mother tongues; they do not mean that only one language is used in daily life or public services. Among people aged 15 and over, 229,558 reported knowledge of at least one foreign language, including 164,180 who reported one, 53,261 who reported two and 12,117 who reported at least three. English was the most commonly reported foreign language at 37.97%, followed by Russian at 7.46%, Italian at 4.83%, German at 3.72%, French at 2.01% and Spanish at 1.02%. Demand differs by region, school, occupation and personal purpose. Public schools teach in Montenegrin or another language in official use where the relevant arrangements exist. English is compulsory from the first grade. From the sixth grade, pupils study one additional foreign language selected from French, Russian, Italian, German and Spanish, or from another publicly valid programme. A school must offer at least two options, but the actual choice can depend on available teachers, school capacity and local conditions. A standard lesson usually lasts 45 minutes. In 2026, the national English test at the end of the second education cycle is planned online. The external examination in the third cycle can include English, German, Italian, Russian or French as an elective subject. The education system recognizes the right to learn in a minority language at all education levels through special classes or schools where the conditions exist. When teaching takes place in a minority language, the official language and its alphabet are also compulsory. Other pupils may study a local minority language, and curricula can offer minority-language learning regionally. Availability depends on the number of pupils, qualified teachers, funding and municipal arrangements. Minority councils participate in curriculum and education planning. Adults can study foreign languages, Montenegrin for foreigners and other language-related competences through licensed adult-education providers, universities and faculties, private language centres and some public secondary schools. The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation maintains the legal and planning framework, including the Adult Education Plan 2025–2029. The Centre for Vocational Education develops programmes and examination catalogues and validates non-formal and informal learning. A provider guide lists programmes for English, Russian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Chinese and Montenegrin, among others. That guide dates from 2019, so current licensing, admission dates, teaching format, fees and available places require direct verification. Montenegro has no reliably documented nationwide free Montenegrin course for all foreigners. Local, non-governmental and private offers must be checked individually. Public adult-education subsidies documented for 2025 concern qualifications and key competences, not language courses generally. The Ispitni centar Crne Gore, also called ICCG, organizes matura and vocational examinations. The 2025/26 first-foreign-language examination includes English, Russian and German at basic and higher levels. Examination catalogues also cover a second foreign language through English, Russian, French, Italian, German and Latin. A 2026 adult-education catalogue includes a foreign-language examination, and the ICCG work plan includes a Montenegrin-language test for citizenship admission. Dates, fees and recognition depend on the relevant announcement or regulation. Montenegro has no single general certification office for every language learner, and a private course certificate, school grade, matura result and citizenship-language proof are not automatically equivalent. Functional Montenegrin supports communication with authorities, schools, health services and employers. Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian may be especially useful in regions where they have strong practical use. English has the strongest documented workplace and international-use demand; Russian, Italian and German are also relevant in particular tourism, travel and employment settings. A tourism guide permit requires an active foreign language, sufficient Montenegrin for basic communication and a national professional qualification. Employers and institutions decide how they assess certificates, so a certificate's value depends on the receiving body and its stated requirements. Digital learning can supplement classroom study and self-study. The Zavod za školstvo has documented work on digital tools and language learning, and legislation permits digital educational content and self-study platforms. The 2026 national English test uses ICCG online software, but there is no evidence of one nationally standardized language-learning platform or a universal access model. Learners should therefore check the provider, course level, assessment method, certificate recognition and attendance rules before relying on a digital or private programme.