Residence permit in Montenegro
Residence Permit in Montenegro
One of the most attractive countries for obtaining a residence permit for foreign citizens is Montenegro. Besides preparing to become an EU member by 2025, this socially-oriented country has a mild climate, beautiful landscapes, and moderate prices.
A residence permit in Montenegro (privremeni boravak) is a plastic card issued by the Montenegrin Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirming the foreigner’s right to reside in the country for one year, with the possibility of extension and eventually obtaining permanent residence.
Since Montenegro is relatively lenient in its conditions for obtaining a residence permit, there are many opportunities for a foreign citizen to apply for this document. The procedure is simpler than in EU countries.
Having a residence permit allows you to live and work in the country, receive medical care, stay in the country beyond the visa-free period, use local banking services, and access free education.
Immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) have the right to obtain a residence permit based on family reunification.
After 5 years of continuous residence in the country, it is possible to obtain permanent residence (stalni boravak) for 5 years without the need for annual renewal.
Now let’s consider possible grounds for obtaining a residence permit.
Company registration in Montenegro
Foreigners engaged in entrepreneurial activities are eligible for a residence permit.
Registering a company in Montenegro and being employed as a director are the most optimal ways to obtain a residence permit.
Advantages
- Independence from an employer
- The company’s director and their immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) have the right to obtain a residence permit based on family reunification.
- Absence from the country for more than a month
- Possibility to arrange for a company-owned car or real estate
- Employment in the company for other relatives, e.g., children over 18
- Free state medical care for the director and family members
Drawbacks
- Expenses for company registration
- Monthly expenses for company maintenance
The rules for obtaining a residence permit require that the company be registered in your name, and you must remember to pay taxes on time and maintain the necessary accounting
Документы, необходимые для регистрации компании и оформления ВНЖ
Buying real estate in Montenegro
You can purchase real estate – commercial or residential – and based on this, obtain a residence permit in Montenegro, allowing you to reside in Montenegro for up to one year without interruptions or difficulties. It is worth noting that purchasing land alone is not grounds for obtaining residency in Montenegro.
An important condition is that you must own at least 50% of the property.
In this case, the residence permit is granted for 1 year with the possibility of renewal.
Advantages
- There are no minimum property value requirements.
- Immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) have the right to obtain a residence permit based on family reunification.
- Possibility to apply for permanent residency (stalni boravak).
- Minimum cost for obtaining residence permit documents.
- No monthly expenses.
Disadvantages
- To obtain permanent residency (stalni boravak), it is necessary to reside permanently in Montenegro, with absence from the country not exceeding 1 month.
- No free medical care.
Документы, необходимые для оформления ВНЖ на основании владения недвижимости
If you own (or are buying) a yacht, and it spends more than 90 days a year in Montenegrin ports, you can also apply for a residence permit.
This type of residence permit allows you to stay in the country for 9 months.
Study
If you are a high school student, a student at a Montenegrin university, engaged in professional development, or conducting scientific activities in Montenegro, you may apply for a residence permit (VNM).
Advantages
- Affordable document processing for residence permit application
- Possibility to apply for permanent residency
Disadvantages
- Absence of free healthcare
- When planning to obtain permanent residency, it’s worth considering that only half of the total duration counts, hence 5 years of continuous VNM based on study will be counted as 2.5
Employment
This type of legalization involves finding an employer and employment in a third-party company.
Advantages:
- No costs for company registration
- Free state healthcare for the director and family members
- Immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) have the right to obtain a residence permit based on family reunification
Disadvantages:
- An employed worker and their family cannot obtain permanent residency (PMŽ).
- The residence permit of an employed worker directly depends on the employer.
- In case of dismissal, the residence permit is revoked within a week.
Документы, необходимые для оформления ВНЖ на основании трудоустройства
Family Reunification
If one of the spouses holds a residence permit in Montenegro, their immediate family members may apply for a residence permit (VNM) through “family reunification”. This includes children under 18 years old and the second spouse.
Documents required for applying for a residence permit based on family reunification:
Marriage to a Montenegrin citizen
In this case, a residence permit is issued upon presentation of a registered marriage certificate with a Montenegrin citizen registered with local authorities.
General documents required for obtaining a residence permit, regardless of the reason for application:
- Valid foreign passport (must be valid for at least 1.3 years from the application date)
- Certificate of no criminal record on paper with signature and stamp – obtained at the place of residence or domicile from the internal affairs authorities or embassy of the country of citizenship. The certificate must be issued no earlier than 6 months before the application for a residence permit.
- Proof of residence in Montenegro (property ownership certificate in Montenegro, notarized lease agreement)
- Certificate from a Montenegrin bank confirming the presence of funds required for living in Montenegro, amounting to 3,650 euros per person per year, in case of residence permit application based on education or property ownership.
- Education document for the company director
The residence permit is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro. The usual validity period is 1 year with further extensions. In many cases, after 5 years, one can apply for permanent residency (PMŽ), and after 10 years, for Montenegrin citizenship.
Our company is ready to prepare the necessary document package “turnkey” and assist you at all stages, from company registration to obtaining a residence permit and opening a bank account.
Personal calculation of the cost of company registration and residence permit is available.