Visa regime and residence in Montenegro
In this article, we will provide information about the visa rules in Montenegro, the possibilities of obtaining temporary residence permits, mandatory documents and procedures related to obtaining residency statuses - temporary residence (ВНЖ) and permanent residence (ПМЖ), as well as citizenship. This information will be useful for anyone considering moving to Montenegro.
Montenegro: Small Country, Great Opportunities
Montenegro is a small country with a population not exceeding 700 thousand people, but it attracts the attention of foreign citizens. Every year about 5 thousand foreigners find their new place of residence here. Most often they come from neighboring countries such as Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia.
Montenegro is also home to several thousand Russian citizens. There is no exact data on the number of Russians buying real estate in Montenegro, but according to unofficial estimates their number exceeds 20 thousand people. Most of these owners do not live in Montenegro permanently, but come here on vacation.
Statuses and Permits
As of May 2021, more than 6 thousand Russian citizens have Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in Montenegro. It should be noted that these figures do not include the large number of people who regularly cross the border to extend their right to stay in the country as tourists.
Montenegro provides various opportunities for foreign nationals wishing to become residents. Among them are residence permit, permanent residence permit and Montenegrin citizenship. Each of these statuses has its own requirements and procedures to be followed.
Montenegro Visa Regime: Attracting Tourists and Travel Conditions
Montenegro actively attracts tourists, and every year it simplifies the visa regime for CIS countries during the summer season. For citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus the country is visa-free all year round.
Here is the visa table for CIS citizens for 2021:
RussiaUp to 30 days visa-free all year round (from 01.04.2021 to 31.10.2021 - 90 days visa-free).
Azerbaijan: Up to 90 days without a visa.
Armenia: From 01.04.2021 to 31.10.2021 - 30 days without visa.
Belarus: Up to 30 days without a visa.
Georgia: Up to 90 days without a visa (from 15.06.2018).
Kazakhstan: From 01.04.2021 to 31.10.2021 - 30 days without visa.
Kyrgyzstan: Visa Entry.
Moldavia: Up to 90 days without a visa.
Tajikistan: Visa Entry.
Turkmenistan: Visa Entry.
Uzbekistan: Visa Entry.
Ukraine: Up to 90 days without a visa.
To visit Montenegro, you will only need a passport, which must be valid for at least 90 days after the end of your trip.
Schengen visa holders can also stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days.
According to the law, foreign visitors are required to register with the police or at the office of the travel company within 24 hours of arrival. If you are staying in a hotel, this procedure will be done for you. Hotel guests are required to pay a tourist tax of €0.7-1.0 per day per person, while owners of their own apartments are responsible for this.
For tourists traveling on their own, it is important to make sure that their apartment hosts have registered them. Failure to do so may result in a fine of around €200.
Statement:
All foreigners are required to register with the police or a representative office of a tourist organization within 24 hours.
Entry Visa:
If you need to stay in Montenegro longer than the visa-free regime allows, you will need an entry visa. Important requirements for obtaining one include:
Availability of accommodation (hotel reservation, rental agreement with a private owner or ownership certificate).
Airline Reservations.
Availability of funds (bank statement or work certificate proving €20 per day per adult).
Insurance for the period of travel.
Detailed information can be found on the website of the Embassy of Montenegro in Russia.
The €35 visa consular fee is payable in cash on application.
In practice, foreign nationals rarely obtain a visa; many prefer to travel abroad once every 30 or 90 days to start the visa-free period anew.
Obtaining a Residence Permit in Montenegro: Grounds and Popular Paths
In Montenegro, the conditions for granting residence permits and citizenship are regulated by the Law on Foreigners, which was last amended in 2018 and 2019.
Foreigners are most often granted a residence permit on one of the following grounds:
Housing Acquisition:Buying real estate in Montenegro can be the basis for obtaining a residence permit.
Yacht ownership:If you have a yacht and plan to stay in the country, that could also be a reason.
Running Your Own Business:Registering your own business in Montenegro gives you the opportunity to obtain a residence permit.
Reunification with Family Members:If you have family members already living in Montenegro, you can apply for a residence permit for family reunification.
Obtaining Education:Enrollment in educational institutions in Montenegro may be the basis for obtaining a residence permit.
Skills Development:Mastering courses or trainings in Montenegro can serve as a basis.
Research Paper:Engaging in research activities in the country also entitles you to a residence permit.
Treatment:If there are medical grounds, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for medical treatment in Montenegro.
Work:Employment in Montenegro can be the basis for obtaining a residence permit.
Among Russian citizens and citizens of former USSR countries the most popular ways of obtaining residence permits in Montenegro are business registration, purchase of real estate and family reunification.
Obtaining a Residence Permit in Montenegro: Registering a Business and Buying Real Estate
A residence permit in Montenegro can be obtained based on several factors, including business registration and the purchase of real estate.
Grounds - Business Registration:
In order to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro, a foreigner needs to register a business and then be employed as a manager in his/her own company. The type of legal form of the company may vary, but the most common option for foreigners is to establish a Montenegrin LLC (Limited Liability Company). The minimum authorized capital of a company can be as low as €1.
The following requirements must be met by the applicant for a residence permit:
Age from 18 years old;
Registration of a legal entity in Montenegro;
Ownership of more than 50% of the company's share capital;
Formal employment as a manager of an established company;
Having a corporate account in a bank in Montenegro;
Sufficient financial solvency (from €3,650 in a personal bank account in Montenegro);
Availability of rented or own accommodation in Montenegro;
Positive reputation and no criminal record;
High school or college education.
After establishing a company and obtaining a residence permit, the firm is not obliged to create jobs or actively develop the business. The main thing is to submit annual financial statements and pay minimal taxes. The costs of maintaining a dormant company, including the cost of a director and accountant, are about €1.5-2.5 thousand per year.
Basis - Title to Real Estate:
Since 2015, owners of real estate in Montenegro, as well as their spouses and minor children, are eligible for a residence permit. The value of the property does not matter, but the object must not have legal encumbrances such as mortgages, lack of a building permit, court proceedings or tax arrears. Owners of land plots without buildings can obtain a residence permit only after the building is constructed.
A temporary residence permit is issued for one year and can be extended an unlimited number of times as long as the property remains in ownership. It is important to note that the acquisition of real estate does not entitle you to employment or access to free medical services.
Yacht ownership:
Foreigners who own a yacht and its crews also have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro. For this purpose, it is necessary to conclude a contract for the maintenance of the yacht for more than 90 days with one of the yacht marinas in Montenegro. The holder of this status can stay in the country for a maximum of nine months per year.
Family reunification:
On the basis of “family reunification,” the holder of a residence permit/permanent residence permit may invite his/her close relatives, including spouse and children under 18 years of age, to Montenegro. In some cases, “close” relatives may also include other family members if there are compelling personal or humanitarian reasons for their relocation.
Treatment:
In order to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro for medical treatment, it is necessary to submit a medical certificate indicating the period of time required for all medical procedures. This type of long-term residence permit is issued for the duration of treatment.
Employment:
The main document for issuing a work residence permit is a contract with the employer. The residence permit is issued to both seasonal and permanent workers. Having obtained such a residence permit, a foreigner has the right to work only in the position for which the permit was issued.
In case of termination of employment, the employer must notify the ministry within eight days. The foreigner will have to look for a new job and apply for a new residence permit, as the previous one cannot be extended.
This type of residence permit has limitations: it can be renewed only twice. Every three years, the residence permit is interrupted upon termination of employment, and the total number of years is not taken into account when applying for a residence permit.
Training:
A study-based residence permit is issued for one year and can be renewed every year. The new version of the law adopted in 2018 counts each annual study-based residence permit as a semi-annual “boravac.” Accordingly, it will take ten years to obtain a residence permit through studies.As of 2018, foreign students with a residence permit are officially allowed to work in Montenegro.
Dfor Pensioners and Other Grounds
Montenegro does not offer special programs or benefits for retirees. In most cases, elderly people can obtain a residence permit on several grounds, such as property ownership, business registration, family reunification (if relatives already have a residence permit), or medical treatment in Montenegro.
Since 2018, foreigners over the age of 67 have had the opportunity to obtain a residence permit based on working as individual entrepreneurs or executive directors. Previously, this law prohibited the employment of foreigners over 67 years old.
You can receive a pension from your home country, transferred to a bank card.
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There are also other grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro, including research work, religious activities, humanitarian reasons (refugees), and others defined by law or international agreements.
With an annual residence permit, a foreigner is allowed to be absent from Montenegro for no more than one month per year. In case of important circumstances, this period can be extended to three months with notification to the migration service inspector. However, since 2018, these restrictions do not apply to executive directors of companies, individual entrepreneurs, and yacht crews, who can be absent from the country without time limits.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro
Regardless of the purpose of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Montenegro, a foreign citizen must meet the following requirements and provide the necessary documents:
Reasons for obtaining a residence permitDifferent documents are required for each category of immigrants. For example, property owners will need to provide proof of ownership, while those employed will need to present a contract with their employer.
Means of livingA foreign citizen must have a minimum amount of at least €3,650 per person per year, which must be in a bank account at the time of application.
Place of residenceIt is required to have property ownership or a long-term lease, confirmed by the relevant documents.
Medical insuranceMedical insurance is required.
Identification cardA valid passport at the time of application submission.
Lack of entry and stay restrictionsA foreign citizen must not have any entry bans into Montenegro or restrictions on their stay there.
No criminal recordIt is necessary to provide documents confirming the absence of criminal convictions in Montenegro and the country of citizenship.
Other documentsDepending on the category and basis, other documents may also be required, such as educational documents for students.
The process of obtaining temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship in Montenegro
Submission of documentsDocuments must be submitted in person. When submitting the application, a photograph is taken, fingerprints are collected, and an electronic signature sample is created. The applicant receives confirmation of the document submission and can stay in Montenegro until the temporary residence permit is issued.
Submission of biometric dataWhen applying for the first residence permit, the applicant is required to provide biometric data, including photographs, fingerprints, and a signature sample. This is done at the police station where the documents were submitted.
Consideration of the applicationThe processing time for the application usually ranges from 20 to 40 days. During this period, the police and the national security agency conduct a review of the submitted documents. In some cases, interviews with the applicants may be conducted.
Issuance of a permitIn the case of a positive response, the applicant is issued a plastic card with a photograph and personal information.
The validity period of the residence permitThe standard validity period for a residence permit is one year.
Please note that all documents must be translated into Serbian, and the translations must be done by licensed court translators. An apostille is not required for documents from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, except for educational documents from Ukraine.
Extension of residence permit in Montenegro
To extend the temporary residence permit (TRP) in Montenegro, you should follow these procedures and take into account some specific details:
Application submissionThe application for the extension of the residence permit should be submitted 30-60 days before the expiration date of the current residence permit.
Requirements for renewalWhen extending a residence permit, the requirements are the same as for obtaining the original permit (except for the certificate of no criminal record). It is necessary to confirm that the grounds for issuing the residence permit still exist and that the applicant has sufficient means to live in the country.
Restrictions on extensionSome types of residence permits may have legal restrictions on renewal, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the legislation for your specific category of residence permit.
Departure from the countryIf the application for the extension of the residence permit has not been submitted, the foreign citizen must leave the country before the residence permit card expires. Re-entry is only possible after the date following the expiration of the residence permit.
Permanent residence (PR)You can apply for permanent residency after five years of holding temporary residency in Montenegro. It is important to note that your absence from Montenegro should not exceed ten months over the five years or six months at a time.
Citizenship of MontenegroCitizenship can be obtained after ten years of living in Montenegro. To do this, you will need to pass a language proficiency exam and, as a rule, renounce your original citizenship.
Montenegro citizenship by investment
Montenegro also offers a "Citizenship by Investment" program, which started in 2019 and was scheduled to run until December 31, 2021.
To participate in this program, it is necessary to purchase real estate from the government-approved list. The minimum investment amount depends on the region; for example, in some areas, it can be a property worth €350,000, while in the capital or on the coast, it is €550,000, including a non-refundable contribution of €100,000 to the state fund for supporting less developed areas.
The processing time for citizenship under this program is only 3-6 months. When obtaining Montenegrin citizenship through real estate investment, it is usually not required to renounce your first citizenship.
The cost of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro
State fees:
The total is €25 per person for the state fee for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro. This fee can be paid at the post office or at a bank, and the details can be clarified when submitting the documents.
Brokerage services:
In Montenegro, there are many companies offering residence permit services, and they take care of all the hassle of preparing and correctly filling out the documents. The average cost of such services is around €200–300 per person. If the residence permit is obtained based on company registration, a similar amount may also be charged for assistance in creating a legal entity. Many agencies help real estate buyers for free.
It should be noted that none of the intermediary companies can guarantee a positive outcome, as the decision to issue a residence permit is made solely by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Montenegro. However, they can assist in properly preparing the documentation and making the process smoother.
Reasons for refusal to issue and extend a residence permit
Montenegro rarely denies residence permits to applicants who meet all the legal requirements and have properly prepared their documents. However, a denial may occur in the following cases:
Submitting fake documents or providing false information about oneself.
Conducting a criminal case against the candidate.
The presence of a foreigner in the country poses a threat to national security and public order.
Lack of funds or lack of accommodation in the country.
They can also refuse to extend or revoke the issued residence permit if:
The foreigner was absent from Montenegro for more than 30 days in a year (if a long absence is needed, it is necessary to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then the right to residence permit is preserved).
The immigrant broke the law.
A foreigner is working in the country without the appropriate permit.
Rights and obligations of residence permit holders in Montenegro
Living in the country:
A residence permit allows you to live in Montenegro year-round. However, holders of a residence permit cannot leave the country for more than 30 days without prior notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, otherwise, the residence permit may be revoked. Exceptions exist for company directors, individual entrepreneurs, and yacht crews.
Visa-free travel:
Montenegro is not part of the Schengen Area, so a residence permit does not provide visa privileges. However, holders of a temporary residence permit can apply for Schengen visas while in Montenegro.
Medicine:
The rights to medical care depend on the type of residence permit. For example, property owners who do not pay taxes in Montenegro are not entitled to free medical care. However, company directors and their relatives, taking their income into account, are entitled to certain medical benefits.
Education:
Children of residence permit holders have the right to attend public kindergartens and schools in Montenegro.
Work:
The right to work depends on the type of residence permit. For example, a residence permit based on property ownership does not automatically grant the right to work. A work permit must be obtained separately, either by being hired for a job or by starting your own business and registering yourself as the director.
Automobile:
Holders of residence permits have the right to purchase and register vehicles in Montenegro, as well as obtain European-style driver's licenses.
Credits:
A residence permit opens access to loans, as Montenegrin banks can be somewhat cautious regarding foreign citizens. However, it is important to note that foreign citizens may need to meet additional requirements to obtain mortgage loans.
Taxes:
If an individual resides in Montenegro for more than 183 days in a year, they are considered a tax resident of the country and must pay taxes in accordance with Montenegrin legislation. The same applies to companies registered in Montenegro or managed by Montenegrin offices, as well as permanent establishments of foreign organizations.
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