Montenegro: Visa And Residency Information

Montenegro had a Golden Visa program. However, it ended in 2022 and it’s unclear if it will return.

The program was created to encourage foreign investment. It offered a direct jump to citizenship.

Montenegro’s Golden Visa was a draw for those looking to obtain a passport (Montenegro’s passport is the 44th strongest in the world, which could improve in rank as they work to become part of the EU).

Here is a list of standard documents you would need to prove while applying for your residency permit in Montenegro:

1. A valid passport that does not expire before your residency permit would.
2. Certificate of a clean criminal record (issued within the past 6 months) for those age 16 or older.
3. Proof of education, if applicable.
4. Evidence of solvency. You must have at least US$3,843 in a Montenegrin bank account or proof from an employer that you make over US$367 a month. However, when applying for a family visa, the amount is multiplied by the number of people you have in your family.
5. Proof of employment depends on municipality.
6. Proof of housing (whether you own a home or rent).
7. Evidence that you enrolled in the healthcare system.
8. A marriage certificate, if applying as a family; and
9. Birth certificates for minor children, if applicable.

All documents not issued in Montenegro need to be translated by a licensed Montenegrin translator.

For those who love the Montenegrin lifestyle… After spending five years as a temporary resident, you can apply for a permanent residency permit. This lasts for five years, and you can reapply every five years.

With this you can leave the country for more than one month every year. It also grants you all the rights of a Montenegrin citizen besides a passport and the right to vote.

As a citizen of Montenegro, you qualify for all the tax benefits included in a temporary residency permit.

Time spent in Montenegro while studying, disposing of Montenegrin real estate, or seasonal work does not count towards a permanent residency.

The application for a permanent residency permit is like those for a temporary residency permit and requires many of the same documents issued or translated in Montenegrin.

For this visa the key element is the time you spend in the country. So, once you demonstrate your dedication to living in Montenegro it’s usually simply to obtain a permanent residency permit.