Montenegro, as a popular and flourishing destination, has over years adopted a suitable immigration policy and a set of regulations that enable many international investors and property buyers to settle down in Montenegro permanently and enjoy all of the benefits this beautiful Mediterranean country has to offer.
A residence permit in Montenegro can be obtain firstly on the temporary basis (to be renewed every year), and, after 5 years of the consecutive stay in Montenegro, one can apply for the permanent residency permit.
Residency in Montenegro can be obtained in the following ways:
- If one buys a property in Montenegro and present a title deed from the Real Estate Cadaster (certificate of property ownership)
- If one forms a company in Montenegro and appoint him/herself as an executive director.
- Through marriage with a Montenegrin citizen.
- Through employment at a company registered in Montenegro
- Residence permit in Montenegro based on buying a property
One of the paths to obtain a temporary residency is to buy a property in Montenegro. Once you are registered as a new owner of a property in the Real Estate Cadaster of Montenegro, you will be given a title deed- an official certificate that states your property ownership, with all relevant details related to your property.
With your title deed, you are entitled to a temporary residency in Montenegro. Once you collect all required documents (the valid passport, the title deed and a proof of a clean criminal record), you may apply for your residency.
If you buy your property together with your spouse or any other person, 50% of the ownership of the same property suffices for residency in Montenegro
The whole process takes approximately 45 days.
The residency is to be renewed after one year. It is a simple procedure that takes place smoothly.
With a residence permit obtained based on the property purchase, you are obliged to spend in Montenegro 11 months out of 12 months. For detailed consultation contact your immigration agent here.
- Residence permit based on company formation in Montenegro
Company formation is a very common path to residency in Montenegro. Once you create your company (the most common form is the limited liability company) and appoint yourself as an executive director, you are entitled to a residency permit of Montenegro. Your residency is temporary and shall be renewed after 1 year as well.
An executive director of a company can spend as much time in Montenegro as intended, without any impact on the status of a residency.
Creating a company in Montenegro can be a lucrative business venture due to very investor oriented tax schemes of the country:
Corporate income tax has a flat rate of 9%.
Personal income tax varies on the income. It fluctuates from 9% to 15%, which primarily depends on the gross salary of an employee.
Capital gain tax in Montenegro is 9%
VAT (value added tax) is 21%.
Montenegro nurtures excellent relations with many countries that agreed to sign an Agreement on avoiding a double taxation. Contact us for further information.
We can help you form a company in Montenegro and obtain a residency here.
Please note that only an executive director is entitled to a residency permit. It does not suffice that you are a founder and investor of a company in Montenegro
- Residence permit based on marrying a citizen of Montenegro
If you marry a Montenegrin citizen, you are entitled to a residence permit of Montenegro. Marriage certificate, a birth certificate, valid passport, as well as proof on the clean criminal record are required for the residency application
- Residence permit based on getting employed in Montenegro
An employment at a company based in Montenegro entitles you to a residency permit of Montenegro.
Your employer is obliged to register your employment at the Employment Agency of Montenegro and present you a contract that can be drafted exclusively by a lawyer in Montenegro. It is advisable that you take a consultation with your lawyer, so that it is sure that all articles stated in the labor contract are in accordance with the laws of Montenegro.
Documents for the residence permit in Montenegro
- Registration at the touristic office of Montenegro. Upon your arrival, you shall be registered as a visitor in Montenegro. Hotels or individual hosts are obliged to register your stay and pay the designated tax. If you are organizing your stay on your own, you are obliged to go to the first Touristic Office where you can easily pay a touristic tax and be registered legally.
The proof of registration is to be submitted by applying for a residence permit in Montenegro.
- Proof of acquired level of education and qualification (Nostrified diploma) – Decision on recognized foreign educational document or foreign educational document with a confirmation of the submitted application for recognition of foreign educational document in accordance with the special law.
Original of your high school or university diploma is to be submitted, together with the certified translation of the document.
The request for the diploma nostrification is to be submitted at the Ministry of Education in the capital city of Podgorica.
- Property title deed: an official document issued by the Cadaster in Montenegro that you have bought a property in Montenegro and you own minimum 50% of your property. This document shall not be older than 6 months.
In case you have created a company in Montenegro, you shall submit the proof of your company registration, issued by the Central Registry of Economic Subjects (CRPS) of Montenegro
- Medical certificate: A basic medical examination shall be conducted at a nearest health institution designated to issue a certificate for the purpose of obtaining a residence and work permit.
- Proof of income shall be presented as well by applying for a residence permit. It is usually your bank statement or your employment contract that states that you have or will earn minimum 5400 Euro annually.
- Address in Montenegro: One of the criteria for obtaining a residency in Montenegro is having an address in Montenegro. You can either provide the address of your property you have bought in Montenegro (together with the before mentioned title deed) or your rental contract stating that you will be renting a property for minimum 12 months. Your rental contract shall be notarized
- Proof that the individual has not been finally convicted to an unconditional prison sentence exceeding 6 months for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio or that the legal consequences of the conviction have ceased in their country of origin.
- Health insurance valid for minimum 30 days ahead of the day of applying.
- Copy of a valid passport
