Thinking about moving abroad? Take a look at Montenegro. This beautiful Balkan country is becoming increasingly popular for people looking to relocate - and for good reason.
With easy-to-get residence permits, visa-free entry for many countries, and plans to join the European Union soon, Montenegro offers a unique opportunity to establish yourself in Europe.
Let's dive into what options are available in 2025 and what changes you should expect in the coming years.
Find perfect apartments for rent in Europe
All Possible Ways to Getting a Residence Permit in Montenegro
As of 2025, there are five main ways to get a residence permit in Montenegro. Each has its own benefits and requirements:
Working in Montenegro
This is the easiest route for most people, but it comes with some important details:
- Company directors. If you start your own company or become a director of an existing one, you can get a residence permit that could lead to permanent residence after five years.
- Regular employees. If you're hired by a Montenegrin company, you can get a permit too. But here's the catch - after three years, your permit is deliberately interrupted, which means you can't get permanent residence this way.
One important thing to note: your residence permit is tied to your specific employer. If you want to change jobs from Company A to Company B, you'll need to submit all your documents again from scratch.
Buying Property
Owning real estate in Montenegro gives you another way to stay legally:
- You need an official property ownership document (called “List nepokretnosti") showing you as the owner.
- You must have at least €7300 in your bank account to prove you can support yourself.
- You'll need a clean criminal record from your home country.
Important things to remember:
- A purchase agreement isn't enough — the property must be completed and registered in your name.
- With this permit, you can't legally work in Montenegro.
- After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.
Joining Family Members
If your spouse or parent already has a residence permit in Montenegro, you can join them:
- Available for spouses and children of people who have residence permits through work or property.
- During your first year, you can't work.
- After renewing for your second year, you can get a job without having to leave the country first.
Plan carefully, as you can only apply after your family member has received their permit.
Digital Nomad Option
If you work remotely, Montenegro has created a special option for you:
- You need a contract with a foreign company and proof that you earn at least €1900 per month.
- Unlike other permits, this one is valid for two years right from the start.
- The downside? It doesn't lead to permanent residence.
Student Route
Available for school children and university students:
- Parents of school-age children can get residence permits based on their child's status.
- The permit is only valid during the school year.
- It gets suspended during summer vacations and must be renewed each year.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The procedure happens in two parts:
- First check (10 days): an immigration officer verifies that you're legally in Montenegro.
- Main review (20-35 days): the Ministry of Interior examines all your documents.
In reality, it often takes longer, especially for property-based permits and family reunification. For work permits, make sure to collect your permit promptly — unclaimed permits might be canceled after just one week.
There's no way around this one - you must be physically present to apply. They'll need to: take your photograph, scan your fingerprints, and get a sample of your signature.
No exceptions are made to this rule.
What Next?
After living in Montenegro continuously for five years, permanent residence becomes possible for:
- Company directors who own at least 51% of the company.
- Property owners (but if several people own one property, only one can qualify).
Regular employees and digital nomads cannot get permanent residence no matter how long they stay. After three years, employees must leave the country temporarily and submit a whole new application.
Find perfect apartments for rent in Montenegro
The best strategy is clear: get resident status before Montenegro joins the EU when requirements are still relatively easy to meet. Then systematically maintain and upgrade that status toward permanent residence and potentially citizenship.
If you already have a residence permit, keep a close eye on law changes and prepare your renewal documents well in advance. Even if regulations get stricter, maintaining your resident status is still possible with proper planning and staying compliant with new requirements.
Despite uncertainties, Montenegro's path toward EU integration makes getting a residence permit a smart move, especially if you're thinking about long-term plans in Europe.
