Residence permit in Montenegro

Montenegro is today one of the most attractive countries in Europe, not only because it is a magical country on the shores of the Adriatic Sea with beautiful architecture, clean sea air and friendly Slavic people, but also in terms of INVESTMENT. Reasons:

• Acquisition of even the most inexpensive property in Montenegro may serve as a reason for you to obtain a residence permit, and subsequently citizenship of Montenegro, which plans to join the European Union by 2025;
• By purchasing luxury-quality apartments from us, you receive a guaranteed year-round income from renting out your apartments (if necessary, our Company will offer you services for renting apartments purchased from us, as well as other services to solve all organizational and household problems);
• The tax system in Montenegro is not complicated and quite loyal. The taxes paid by buyers / sellers and owners of real estate are among the lowest in Europe:
• Real estate purchase tax. If you buy property directly from a developer who pays VAT, you do not need to pay tax. If the seller does not pay VAT (for example, this is an individual), then the buyer still pays 3% tax.
• Annual property tax. The amount and procedure for payment of tax are established by local government bodies. The interest rate varies from 0.1 to 1%. The end result depends on the location of the property, class of property, distance from the sea and other factors, which are more than 12.
• Annual tourist tax. It is paid by foreigners who have a “second property” in Montenegro. This category includes apartments, apartments or houses that are used for recreation and temporary residence, housing in the tourist area (along the Adriatic coast).

Now the real estate market in Montenegro is stable. At the same time, Montenegro has other prerequisites for rising prices per square meter: the

• construction of an innovative autobahn designed to connect Montenegro with Serbia and Belgrade, and further with Europe;
• an increase in the number of tourists (by 15% per year);
• “Entry” of low-cost airlines into the country.

Choosing a good real estate project in Montenegro is difficult, but possible. Investors are showing increased demand for projects in Budva, Herceg Novi, Tivat in the south and in Kolashin and Zabljak in the north. Real estate in these cities is liquid. Over time, your part of the real estate can be sold, returning the money invested, or left in possession, earning from 5 to 10% per annum on leasing to tourists. As for the price, there is a clear increase in the cost per square meter gradually from Ulcinj to Herceg Novi.

Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today. And we, in turn, are always ready to share with our clients the valuable experience of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro, since our employees went through all this personally.

Advantages of immigration and obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro

Firstly, immigration to Montenegro will cost you several times cheaper than to any of the EU countries or to the USA, Canada, England and other developed countries, and the procedure of immigration and legalization in the country is simple and will not take a long time, provided that you prepare all the necessary documentation while still in your homeland.

Secondly, foreigners who own real estate in Montenegro have the right to obtain an ANNUAL VISA (temporary residence permit) of Montenegro and, on the basis of these visas, stay in Montenegro 365 days a year. In addition, since 2018, foreign citizens who have their own real estate in Montenegro have been granted the right to obtain a PERMANENT residence permit, but subject to 5 years of continuous residence in this country, and after another 5 years of continuous residence in Montenegro, such foreigners have the right to Obtaining the CITIZENSHIP of Montenegro. At the same time, there are no restrictions on the value of real estate acquired by a foreigner. The main condition and requirement for the property is that it must be a residential or office space. A land plot without legally erected or without legalized development, as well as a garage or a shed, are not grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit (annual visa).

Procedure and features of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro

So, when applying for a temporary residence permit on the basis of owning real estate in Montenegro for the first time, a foreigner must submit the following documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro:

• original + copy of the passport (at the same time, a foreign tourist who purchased real estate in Montenegro – must be registered at the place of stay and the tourist tax must be paid for it for the first month);
• original certificate of no criminal record with an apostille and translation into Montenegrin, which is made and certified by a licensed court translator of Montenegro (for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, an apostille is not required);
• document confirming ownership of real estate – original;
• an extract from a Montenegrin bank on the presence of an amount in the account of a foreign citizen in the amount of 3650 euros (that is, 10 euros for each day of stay of the annual residence permit);
• medical insurance for a period of 1 month (which is also quickly issued directly in Montenegro) and costs about 25 euros.

When extending an annual visa (annual residence permit) on the basis of ownership of real estate, a foreigner must, one month before the expiration of a valid residence permit, submit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro only:

– original + copy of the passport;
– original + copy of the previous residence permit;
– a document confirming the ownership of real estate.

A residence permit (dozvola za boravak, sounds like “permission for boravak” or briefly “boravak”) of Montenegro is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova – MUP) and its divisions located in large cities (for example, in Podgorica, Herceg Novi , Kotor, Tivat, Budva, Bar). Also, a foreigner can submit a request for the issuance of the first temporary residence permit to the diplomatic or consular mission of Montenegro in his country. 

A foreigner who has submitted a request for a temporary residence permit (“boravka”) cannot change the basis of stay during the period of making a decision on the request. It is also not recommended to change the basis for the extension of a residence permit that a foreigner already has. In this case, later, difficulties may arise with calculating the total period of stay in the country for obtaining a permanent residence permit (this period will start from each “boravka” received on a new basis).

In addition to the grounds for owning real estate in Montenegro for obtaining a residence permit, there are other grounds:

• family reunification;
• education (high school, institute);
• international exchange programs for pupils, students and others;
• practical, vocational training;
• research work;
• undergoing treatment;
• humanitarian grounds;
• religious activity;
• marriage with a citizen of Montenegro;
• Job;
• yacht ownership;
• other justified grounds in accordance with the law or international treaty.

A family reunification residence permit can be issued to a family member of a foreigner who has been issued a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit in Montenegro. In this case, family members are: spouses, their minor children born in wedlock or out of wedlock, minor children of one of the spouses and adopted children. That is, if one of the spouses immigrated to Montenegro and received a residence permit (“boravak”), then his spouse and children have the right to receive a “boravak” already on the basis of family reunification.

To obtain a “boravka” on the basis of “family reunification”, the following documents must be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro with a translation into the Montenegrin language, confirming that the foreigner is a member of the family of a foreigner who has been issued a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit in Montenegro : 

• Marriage certificate;
• Copy of your spouse’s ID;
• Birth certificate;
• Other documents on the situation.

When submitting documents for obtaining (and renewing) a temporary residence permit from foreigners, biometric data is periodically collected (photo, index fingerprint, signature).

A foreigner is issued a certificate of acceptance of documents, which must be presented upon receipt of the decision. It indicates the date when a foreigner must again appear in the bodies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro to receive a “boravka”. The certificate is a confirmation of the legal stay of a foreigner in Montenegro before a final decision is made on the request.

It should also be noted that sometimes in different cities of Montenegro, the above procedure for submitting documents may differ. In addition, the legislation of Montenegro tends to change quite often, therefore, before submitting documents, it is recommended to clarify their set with the bodies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro at the place of residence of the foreigner. The decision on the request is made within 20 days from the date of its submission. The decision on the approval of “boravka” is issued to the foreigner in the form of a separate document and contains the registration number assigned to the foreigner (matični broj). A decision is also made to refuse to issue a “boravka”. It can be appealed within 8 days from the date of its adoption by filing a complaint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro.

“Boravak” is issued with a validity period of up to 1 year (taking into account the period specified in the work permit, or the validity period of the “boravak” of the foreigner with whom reunification is requested) and is stamped in the foreigner’s current foreign passport. To extend the residence permit one month before the expiration of its validity period, a foreigner must apply to the authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro. In this case, a simplified procedure applies, many documents are no longer required. 

It must also be borne in mind that having received a temporary residence permit, a foreigner must live in Montenegro all year round from the date of obtaining a residence permit, if during the period of validity of the “boravka” he will be absent from the country for more than 30 days without a valid reason and more than 90 days even if there are valid reasons (of which you must notify your Inspector for Foreigners in writing in advance), his temporary residence permit will be canceled. The exception is a foreigner who has opened his own company and is a director of this company.

Permanent residence permit in Montenegro

Only after 5 years spent in the country on the basis of continuously issued temporary residence permits, a foreigner has the right to apply for permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje) in Montenegro. What is permanent residence in Montenegro? In fact, this is practically the citizenship of the country, since this status gives almost all the rights of a citizen, with the exception of the right to vote.

Montenegrin citizenship on a general basis

Foreign citizens can obtain Montenegrin citizenship on a general basis if the basic requirements are met in accordance with the country’s legislation.

Conditions for obtaining citizenship:

1. Reaching the age of majority.
2. Deliberate renunciation of the original citizenship.
3. Residence in the country for 10 years.
4. Proficiency in the Montenegrin language, knowledge of grammar, spelling.
5. During the entire period of residence in the country, the applicant did not violate the laws of the country.

To obtain citizenship, it is necessary to prepare a package of documentation:

1. Application completed in Montenegrin language.
2. Residence permit and permanent residence (card + photocopy).
3. Extract from the police department confirming legal residence in the country for 10 years.
4. Certificate of no criminal record and violation of the laws of Montenegro.
5. Proof of legal age.
6. Proof of place of residence in the country (document for an apartment or other living space owned, or a rental agreement).
7. Additional documents depending on the basis for obtaining citizenship.

Issuance of a passport of a citizen of Montenegro

To obtain a passport, a foreigner needs to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro, submit a personal application and a list of documents on the list. The decision to issue a passport with citizenship is made within 20 days.

List of documents required for obtaining a passport:

1. Certificate confirming the discovery of citizenship.
2. A document issued by authorized police officers confirming the place of residence of a foreigner in Montenegro.
3. Receipts for payment of tax and state duty (25 euros and 15 euros).

The issued passport is valid for 10 years. At the end of this period, it is necessary to replace the document.

If a foreigner was denied the citizenship of Montenegro, he can appeal this decision in court within 7 days.

Is dual citizenship possible in Montenegro?

According to the laws of the Balkan country, foreign citizens can obtain Montenegrin citizenship only on the condition of voluntary renunciation of their existing citizenship. Having two passports is prohibited by law. When applying for the status of a citizen of Montenegro, the applicant must provide a certificate of withdrawal of citizenship of his country.

You can become a citizen of Montenegro only if you fulfill all the requirements regulated by the laws of the country. The migrant must not only collect a package of necessary documents, but also successfully pass the test to check the knowledge of the language, history, geography and culture of the Balkan country.

Benefits of Montenegrin Citizenship A Montenegrin

passport enables visa-free travel to 125 countries. The visa regime works on the basis of agreements between the countries, but Montenegro is an official candidate for EU membership. Montenegro will become a member of the EU until 2025. After that, citizens of Montenegro will not only be able to visit the Schengen zone without a visa, but also live in other EU countries. However, the citizenship of Montenegro can affect the quality of life now, given the benefits. For example, Montenegrin citizens can obtain an E-2 nonimmigrant business visa in the United States. And also, of course, you can, if you wish, permanently or temporarily reside in Montenegro. The country’s economy is recognized as one of the fastest growing in the Balkans. Montenegro is a NATO member, in the near future it can become an EU member. Then, in addition to visa-free travel to the countries of the Schengen zone, all citizens of Montenegro will also be able to live, study and work in the EU.