How to obtain Montenegrin citizenship through investment: benefits and requirements

Introduction

Obtaining citizenship of another country through investment opens up many opportunities, but it also carries a number of uncertainties. What are the benefits of a second passport? What nuances should those aspiring to this consider? What is the financial aspect of the issue? We discussed these topics with a journalist and licensed agent from Apex Capital Partners to take a closer look at the process of obtaining citizenship in Montenegro.

The popularity of Montenegro for investments

According to a study by Knight Frank, Montenegro is emerging as a leading country for obtaining citizenship through investment. Currently, we are focusing on issues related to citizens from post-Soviet countries. It is important to note that we are discussing the process of acquiring citizenship through investment, so the candidate must be prepared to invest in specific projects offered by Montenegro.

An individual approach to each case

Julia Gotskaya, the Sales Director at Apex Capital Partners, answered important questions about obtaining citizenship in Montenegro. She noted that while there are general guidelines for the process, each case requires a personalized approach. In addition to the basic documents, specific papers or clarifications may be needed for each individual request.

Basic requirements for obtaining citizenship

To become a citizen of Montenegro, several conditions must be taken into account:

• Investment level
• Fulfillment of requirementsthat confirm the investor's intentions.

Investing can involve both purchasing real estate and participating in other commercial projects, providing investors with a wide range of options to choose from.

Advantages of Montenegrin citizenship

This program brings a lot of benefits to potential citizens of Montenegro, including:

• Freedom of movementby countries of the European Union.
• Improvement of living standards.

The country attracts investors with its picturesque natural landscape and stable economy, making the process of obtaining citizenship increasingly sought after.

Economic aspects of the process

The economic aspects are also significant: the cost of a second passport can vary greatly and is often quite high. The final amount depends on a number of factors, including the specific programs offered to investors and the document requirements.

Preparation for the process

Therefore, it is necessary to carefully assess all the conditions and procedures to avoid any surprises during the citizenship acquisition process. If you are interested in obtaining Montenegrin citizenship, be prepared for a thorough analysis of all the stages and requirements of the procedure.

Necessary documents for obtaining Montenegrin citizenship

To become a citizen of Montenegro, you need to gather certain documents. First of all, passports and birth certificates for all family members are required. You will also need a marriage certificate. If you have a higher education, you should include your diplomas, and for students, a certificate from the educational institution will suffice.

A certificate from law enforcement confirming the absence of a criminal record for all family members over 16 years old will be required; it must be obtained both in the country of residence and in the country of origin.

Additional documents

It is also worth preparing:

• driver's license;
• military ID for men over 18 years old if they have served in the military;

Don't forget to prepare a resume for all family members over 16 years old and sign it. Among the required documents will be a bank statement for the last 12 months from the account where financial transactions are planned.

Documents for business owners

If you have your own companies, you need to provide their founding documents and financial statements. For owners of commercial real estate, proof of ownership will be required.

Medical documents

Additionally, a medical certificate from a therapist will be required, which will document your health and the absence of infectious diseases. You will also need to provide test results for active tuberculosis:

• X-ray examination of the lungs for people over 14 years old;
• results of the Mantoux tuberculin test.

To complete the medical part of the procedure, you need to take some tests:

• complete blood count;
• urine analysis;
• tests for the presence of pathogens of typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, salmonellosis, and shigellosis.

If there are children under 18 in your family, be prepared to provide vaccination certificates. You will also need to obtain documents for your residential or commercial property. Don't forget to take cadastral extracts from the MFC and utility bills that show your address.

Photos and investments

In addition, you will need to prepare color photographs sized 3.5 by 4.5 for all family members.

It should be noted that investments will be required. The minimum amount needed for free investments is at least€450,000You will also need to travel to Montenegro in person to provide biometric data and obtain a passport, the cost of which for renewal is35 eurosIf you collaborate with our company, you will only need to visit Montenegro once to pick up your finished passport. The preparation of all documents for the application can be done remotely.

Investments in projects

When it comes to the amount€450,000It should be clarified that it is intended for investments in projects approved by the government, located on the southern coast of the country or in Podgorica. These investments must be directed towards projects, including a 5-star hotel or resort, with no less than 60 rooms or apartments. The total cost of the projects must be at least€15 millionand it is expected to create at least80 workplacesfor local residents.

Investments in development projects in Montenegro

Investing in development projects in the northern or central regions of Montenegro can present interesting opportunities. To become a participant in this program, one needs to invest an amount of€250,000in state-approved projects that meet certain conditions.

Project requirements

Such projects may include hotels or resorts that have at least4 starsand provide no less than35 rooms or apartmentsThe total cost of the project should be no less than€5 millionand also create a minimum25 workstations.

State fees

When submitting an application for participation, it is necessary to pay state fees, which amount to:

• €15,000for the main applicant
• €10,000for each dependent family member

In one application, no more than four participants can be specified. If the family exceeds this number...five peopleThe fee for each additional member will be€50,000.

Due Diligence

There is also a need for payment.due diligenceFor individual applications, this amount is equal to:

• €7,000for the main applicant
• €10,000for each family member of four people

If there are more than four members in the family, an additional amount is added.€1,500for each new participant.

Charitable donation

The charitable contribution to the state fund amounts to€100,000As a result, the minimum threshold for obtaining Montenegrin citizenship for a family of four reaches€450,000.

It is important to note that the funds used for investments must be legal and belong to the investor themselves. This is significant because the program is aimed at attracting legitimate foreign capital, which requires confirmation of the legality of the funds at the document processing stage.

Maximum investment amount

The maximum amount of investment in real estate considered under this program is€2 millionOne of the clients chose to invest in approved apartments in the southern part of the country.

Nuances of obtaining citizenship

In addition, there are many nuances that can be significant for obtaining a second passport. One of the key requirements is the absence of a criminal record. It is important to obtain a certificate confirming the absence of a criminal past in your country of residence. If you have been in any country for more than...183 daysIn the last ten years, it will be necessary to provide a certificate from that side as well.

If you have visited several countries but have not lived in any of them for the specified period, a certificate will only be required from the country where you are a citizen, for example, from Russia. Additionally, if your child is older than...16 years oldHe is studying abroad, and he will need a certificate of no criminal record from both his country of birth and the country where he is studying.

Advantages of Montenegrin citizenship

What does an investor receive in exchange for Montenegrin citizenship? Holding citizenship grants access to visa-free travel.120 countriesaround the world, including European countries and Russia.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that not all benefits are available in full. For example, there are restrictions on the duration of visa-free stay — it should not exceed90 days in half a year.

Conclusion

So, the process of obtaining citizenship through investment requires careful preparation and consideration of all legal aspects, highlighting the need for a detailed understanding of the program's requirements and conditions.

In Montenegro, there are options for both temporary and permanent residency. These prospects, linked to the country's accession to the European Union by 2025, open up new opportunities for citizens, including the right to live, work, and study in any EU country.

In addition, thanks to the existing program, citizens can apply for a non-immigrant E2 business visa for trips to the United States. An important factor is also the attractive corporate tax rate, which is only 9% of the taxable base.

Termination of the citizenship acquisition program in Montenegro

After a certain date, we will no longer be able to apply for citizenship in Montenegro. You mentioned the end of a special program in this country, which is scheduled for December 2021. I'm curious to know why it is being discontinued? Is there a chance that this program will be resumed in the future?

Uncertainty of the program timelines

The question about the duration of this program remains open. The legislation regarding obtaining citizenship through investment in Montenegro was adopted in 2018. This bill set a limit of 2,000 applications. I want to clarify that this refers not to the remaining passports, but specifically to the number of applications from investors, one of which may include family members: spouses and dependent children. Moreover, a time limit of three years was also introduced for the program.

The process of real estate certification

The certification process for real estate for this program took longer, and by the end of 2019, only one project was able to receive the necessary approval. It is important to note that, unlike many similar programs in other countries, Montenegro does not allow investment in funds or stocks. Investments are only permitted in hotel properties that are under construction and have been sanctioned by the authorities.

Official start of the program

The official launch of the Montenegro citizenship by investment program took place in September 2019, with its completion scheduled for December 31, 2021. As experts in the field of investment citizenship, we highly value this program. Over the two years, it has provided unique opportunities for those looking to become citizens of Europe. Therefore, we express hope for its continued existence. However, at this time, the Montenegrin government has not announced any intention to extend the program, and it is important to remember that it will be in effect until January 1, 2022.

Consultations on the investment citizenship program

Please pay attention to this offer if you want to provide your loved ones with connections to Europe. We also want to highlight that consultations on the investment citizenship program at Apex are provided free of charge.

Risk of losing citizenship

As for the risk of losing citizenship for various reasons, theoretically, this could happen if citizenship was obtained based on invalid documents. However, even in such cases, the implementation of the process of revoking citizenship through legislation proves to be extremely complicated, and I have never encountered such situations in my practice.

Selection of investment objects

Why did the government choose such a narrow list of real estate objects for investment? This is because only those projects that met strict criteria were approved. All proposed projects underwent a thorough multi-level review:

• A complete list of available investment projects can be found on the official website of Montenegro.
• You also have the opportunity to review a detailed description of the projects in our special material that we have prepared for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that obtaining citizenship through investment in Montenegro not only opens new horizons for living and doing business but also provides a number of significant advantages. With a second passport, you gain the ability to travel freely to countries with visa-free access, improve your chances for international investments, and secure your rights to urgent protection in case of political instability in your home country.

This process certainly requires attention and careful preparation. It is important to remember that each procedure is individual, and for a successful outcome, it is crucial to consider all the details, from the necessary documents to the specific requirements for investment projects. Working withprofessional agentsBy working with firms like Apex Capital Partners, this process can be significantly simplified, helping to avoid many pitfalls.

Why should you choose Montenegro?

Montenegro, thanks to its picturesque landscapes and stable political and economic atmosphere, is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign investors and those looking for opportunities to broaden their horizons.

What should be considered when obtaining citizenship?

• Choosing a reliable investment project
• Thorough preparation of all necessary documents
• Understanding the individual nuances of each procedure

Ultimately, obtaining a second passport is not just a formality, but an opportunity to become part of another country, discover new prospects, and create a safer future for yourself and your loved ones. I hope this article has helped you understand the key issues related to obtaining Montenegrin citizenship and has inspired you to take further steps towards achieving this goal.