Residence permit in Montenegro: methods of obtaining and cost

Residence permit (temporary borawak or borawak) is an official document (plastic card) that is issued to a foreigner as confirmation of a residence permit in the country, usually for 1 year.

The main ways to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro:

1. Employment under a contract in Montenegro.
2. Opening a company is entrepreneurial activity, doing business in the country.
3. Family reunion.
4. Marriage with a citizen / citizen of Montenegro.
5. Owning your own yacht or real estate in the country.
6. Vocational training or education (school or university).
7. Obtaining the status of a “digital nomad”.

The main conditions for obtaining a residence permit:

• the age of the applicant must be at least 18 years old (not necessary for a residence permit for family reunification);
• it is necessary to provide a passport with a valid expiration date (at least three months more than the period for which the residence permit is approved);
• proof of livelihood (statement from a local bank account or confirmation from an employer) and a place to live (a notarized lease agreement or a document of ownership of real estate) is required.
• citizens who already have a residence permit or permanent residence in Montenegro can transport their family members (spouse / spouse, minor children) to the country and issue a residence permit for them, indicating the main reason for moving – family reunification.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro compared to the status of a tourist:

• It is extremely difficult for ordinary tourists to open a bank account. A foreign citizen with a residence permit can open an account.
• Having a residence permit, you can buy a car and register it in your name.
• A residence permit for business makes it possible to receive treatment and medical examination free of charge (including family members, provided that they receive a residence permit for family reunification).
• Children with a residence permit have the right to attend a municipal kindergarten and school
• There is no need to do a “visaran”, that is, to travel outside the country every 30 days.
  

Consider 2 main ways to obtain a residence permit in more detail.

RESIDENCE PERMIT WHEN OWNING REAL ESTATE

If you own a house or apartment (you own at least ½ of any real estate in Montenegro, with the exception of land plots), you have the right to obtain a residence permit (boravka). The document is issued for 1 year and it can be extended an unlimited number of times while the object is owned. After receiving a plastic card, the homeowner has the right to issue a “boravka” for close family members (children under 16 years old and spouse).

Documents required to obtain a residence permit for real estate:

1. A foreign passport or identity card valid for at least 3 months beyond the desired date of receipt of the boravka. That is, if you want to get a residence permit for a year, your passport must be valid for at least 15 months at the time of submission of documents.
   A document on the ownership of real estate (“leaf of vagueness”).
2. Medical insurance for a period of 30 days or a copy of the “health booklet” (Montenegrin state health insurance).
3. Certificate of availability of an amount of at least 3,650 euros per person on an account in a Montenegrin bank (in some regions, from 2022, this amount is at least 5,400 euros per person).
4. For the initial submission of documents using this method: a certificate of no criminal record (with a court translation into Montenegrin) not older than 6 months (recommended not older than 3 months at the time of submission of documents).
5. Receipt of payment of the tourist tax (“tourist registration”).
6. Receipts for payment of fees (47 euros).
   

RESIDENCE PERMIT WHEN OPENING A COMPANY

The right to a residence permit are foreigners working in Montenegro in their company or doing business as an Individual Entrepreneur (IP). The minimum authorized capital is only 1 euro. The usual form of ownership is D.O.O., an analogue of our LLC.

The company may be registered in the name of the applicant applying for a residence permit, but the applicant must also be a director of the company. Just the founder of D.O.O. Montenegro will not receive a residence permit.

An entrepreneur is obliged to pay taxes and submit accounting and tax reporting, even zero.

The main documents required to obtain a residence permit when opening a company:

1. A foreign passport or identity card valid for at least 3 months beyond the desired date of receipt of the boravka. That is, if you want to get a residence permit for a year, your passport must be valid for at least 15 months at the time of submission of documents (with a court translation into Montenegrin).
2. Medical insurance for a period of at least 30 days on the date of submission.
3. Confirmation from the employer of employment indicating the salary or the availability of funds in the amount of at least 3,650 euros in a Montenegrin bank account (in some regions, from 2022, this amount is at least 5,400 euros per person).
4. Confirmation of the opening of the company (D.O.O.), namely an extract from the “CRPS” (valid for 30 days).
5. Confirmation of education – the original diploma of the university or school certificate, including an insert about grades (with a court translation into Montenegrin).
6. Nostrification of a school certificate or diploma of education.
7. Certificate of no criminal record (with a court translation into Montenegrin), not older than 6 months (recommended not older than 3 months at the time of submission of documents).
8. A document confirming the presence of a place of residence in Montenegro (a notarized long-term rental agreement and a “leaf of insecurity” or only a “leaf of insecurity” if you own real estate).
9. A medical certificate confirming the applicant’s satisfactory state of health (“proof of sanity”).
10. Receipt of payment of the tourist tax (“tourist registration”).
11. Receipt of payment of fees (67 euros).

Our specialists will always help you in obtaining a residence permit of any type

Cost of services*:

1. PERMIT WHEN OPENING A COMPANY

Opening D.O.O. – from 200 €*

Comprehensive service: opening a D.O.O. + Residence permit for 1 person with certificate nostrification – 750 €*

Comprehensive service: Opening D.O.O. + Residence permit for 1 person with diploma nostrification – 850 €*

Residence permit for family members for family reunification for 1 person – 250 €*

Full package: residence permit for a family of 4 people (father, mother, 2 children) with certificate nostrification – 1500 €*

Full package: residence permit for a family of 4 people (father, mother, 2 children) with diploma nostrification – 1600 €*

2. PERMIT WHEN OWNING REAL ESTATE

Comprehensive service – from 250 € (depending on the location)

*Depending on the location

**These services include preparation of a package of documents and submission to the necessary authorities, payment of state fees, support of the applicant to submit documents to the MUP

***These services DO NOT include the opening of an account for a legal entity, individual entrepreneur, tourist registration, notary agreement on rental housing (confirmation of place of residence)