Montenegro: residency and tax
MontenegroEuropeOverview
Montenegro attracts founders, remote workers and property buyers who want a coastal base in a country that uses the euro and is negotiating EU membership. Residence is purpose-based: each permit is tied to one ground, such as property ownership, employment in your own company or remote work for a company abroad, and lasts only while that ground exists.
The rules tightened in January 2026. The amendments to the Law on Foreigners, published in Official Gazette 3/2026 and in force since 17 January 2026, require non-EU property owners to prove a tax base of at least EUR 150,000 through the real estate transfer tax decision. Owners and majority shareholders who hold a residence and work permit through their own company must now show at least EUR 5,000 of taxes and contributions paid per year to extend it. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are exempt from both tests.
Montenegrin tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. Residence for tax purposes follows a domicile or centre of personal and economic interests in Montenegro, or at least 183 days in the country in a tax year. Companies pay progressive profit tax of 9% to 15%, and dividends carry 15% withholding tax.
The citizenship-by-investment scheme expired on 31 December 2022. For most foreigners, citizenship now comes only through naturalisation, which generally requires ten years of lawful residence, and time spent on a property-based permit does not count toward permanent residence.
Montenegrin lawyers and certified tax advisers provide the legal and tax advice on each case; Redomiciled coordinates the route, documents and local introductions.
- Citizenship by investment
- Closed; the scheme expired on 2022-12-31As of 2026-10-25 · [5]
Montenegro residence permits: property, company and digital nomads
A Montenegrin temporary residence permit allows a foreigner to stay longer than 90 days for one defined purpose, such as owning real estate, working in their own company or working remotely for a foreign employer. As of October 2026, most permits run for one year, and permanent residence follows five years of continuous residence.
The Ministry of Interior issues temporary residence permits and decides within 40 days of a complete application. Every applicant needs means of subsistence, accommodation, health insurance, a valid travel document and evidence of the purpose. Permits are issued for up to one year unless the law sets a different period, and extensions are filed in person no later than 30 days before expiry.
Property owners apply on the ground of using and disposing of real estate they own in Montenegro. Since 17 January 2026, the decisive proof of value is the final real estate transfer tax decision issued by the municipality, which must show a tax base of at least EUR 150,000; the price in the sales contract is not enough. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are exempt, and permits granted on this ground before 17 January 2026 are extended under the previous rules. A property-based permit does not cover work.
Founders who are employed in their own Montenegrin company, usually as executive director, hold a temporary residence and work permit. It is issued for up to one year and can be extended for up to two years. Entrepreneurs, and executive directors who own the company alone or hold more than 51% of it, must now prove at least EUR 5,000 a year in paid taxes and contributions to extend the permit, and employers must sign the employment contract and register social insurance within 24 hours of the permit being issued.
Remote workers who work online for a foreign employer, or for their own company registered abroad, can apply for a digital nomad permit. Since 2026 they also prove the foreign company's registration. The permit runs for up to two years and can be extended by up to two more; a new one is possible six months after it ends, and spouses and minor children can join.
Permanent residence requires five years of continuous temporary residence, with absences of no more than ten months in total or six months at a time. Periods on a study, property-based or seasonal work permit do not count. The permanent residence card is valid for five years, and the ministry decides on applications within six months.
Licensed Montenegrin immigration lawyers advise on the choice of route and the filings, and local tax advisers on company compliance; we organise the steps between them.
Who it suits
Founders running a real business
You will employ yourself in a Montenegrin company and can meet the yearly tax and contribution test.
Remote employees and freelancers
Your employer or your own company is registered outside Montenegro and you work online.
Buyers of higher-value property
You own or will buy real estate with a tax base of at least EUR 150,000.
Families planning a longer stay
You want a permit that can lead to permanent residence, which rules out relying on property alone.
Requirements
- Required
Valid travel document
A passport or identity card issued by another state.
- Required
Means of subsistence
Evidence that you can support yourself and your family during the stay.
- Required
Accommodation in Montenegro
A lease or proof of ownership.
- Required
Health insurance
Cover for the period of the permit.
- Required
Evidence of the purpose
Tax decision for property, employment contract for your company, or a contract with a foreign employer for nomads.
- Required
Tax and contribution record
At least EUR 5,000 a year, for extensions of permits held through your own company.
- Depends on your case
Montenegrin bank account
Useful for showing funds and needed to run a local company.
Documents
- Passport and photoValid for at least three months beyond the permit period.
- Real estate transfer tax decision and titleShowing the tax base and your ownership in the cadastre, for the property route.
- Company documents and employment contractRegistration extract and your contract as executive director, for the company route.
- Contract with a foreign employerWith proof that the company is registered abroad, for the digital nomad route.
- Health insurance and proof of fundsFor you and any family members.
- Criminal record certificateFrom your country of origin, as requested by the ministry.
- Property threshold
- Tax base of at least EUR 150,000 in the real estate transfer tax decisionNot for EU, EEA and Swiss nationalsAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Existing property permits
- Permits issued before 2026-01-17 are extended under the previous rulesAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Decision deadline
- 40 days from a complete applicationAs of 2026-10-25 · [2]
- Residence and work permit through your own company
- Up to 1 year; extensions of up to 2 yearsAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Tax test for owners and directors
- At least EUR 5,000 a year in taxes and contributionsApplies to entrepreneurs and to executive directors who are sole owners or hold more than 51%; not to EU, EEA and Swiss nationalsAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Personal income tax on salaries
- 0% up to EUR 700 gross a month; 9% up to EUR 1,000; 15% abovePlus municipal surtax of 13%, or 15% in Podgorica and CetinjeAs of 2026-10-25 · [7]
- Company incorporation (our experience)
- About 5–7 working daysAs of 2026-02-13 · [12]
Timeline
- 1Choose the routeProperty, your own company or digital nomad, keeping in mind which routes count toward permanent residence.
- 2Build the groundBuy and register the property and obtain the tax decision, or incorporate the company and sign your employment contract.
- 3Apply in personAt the Ministry of Interior unit where you live; the decision is due within 40 days of a complete file.
- 4Permit and registrationCollect the permit and register your address; employers register social insurance within 24 hours.
- 5Extensions and permanent residenceExtend in good time each year, then apply for permanent residence after five continuous years on a qualifying ground.
Tax notes
- You become tax resident if your domicile or centre of personal and economic interests is in Montenegro, or if you spend at least 183 days there in a tax year. A residence permit does not decide this on its own.
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income. Salaries are taxed at 0% up to EUR 700 gross a month, 9% up to EUR 1,000 and 15% above, plus a municipal surtax of 13%, or 15% in Podgorica and Cetinje.
- Companies pay 9% on profits up to EUR 100,000, 12% up to EUR 1.5 million and 15% above. Dividends and capital gains are taxed at 15%.
- Your current country may continue to tax you until its own residence rules and the applicable treaty say otherwise, so the move needs planning on both sides.
General information, not tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances.
Banking fit
- Company-based permits depend on salaries and contributions actually being paid, which runs through a Montenegrin business account.
- Account opening for non-residents can take longer than company registration, so start it early and prepare a clear source-of-funds file.
Questions
How much property do I need to buy for Montenegro residency?
Since 17 January 2026, non-EU applicants need real estate whose tax base in the real estate transfer tax decision is at least EUR 150,000. That tax decision, not the purchase contract, is the decisive document. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are exempt from the value rule.
Can I get Montenegro residency by opening a company?
Yes, if you are employed in your own company, usually as executive director, under a temporary residence and work permit. To extend it, entrepreneurs and directors who own the company alone or hold more than 51% must show at least EUR 5,000 a year in paid taxes and contributions.
Does Montenegro have a digital nomad permit?
Yes. Foreigners who work online for a foreign employer, or for their own company registered abroad, can receive a permit for up to two years, extendable by up to two more. Proof of the company's foreign registration is required.
Does property residence lead to permanent residence in Montenegro?
No. Time on a property-based permit does not count toward the five years of continuous residence required for permanent residence. If permanent residence is your goal, a company, employment or family ground is the more suitable route.
How long does a Montenegro residence permit take?
The Ministry of Interior decides within 40 days of a complete application. Preparing the ground comes first: buying the property and obtaining the tax decision, or incorporating the company, which in our experience takes about a week.
Can I get Montenegrin citizenship after living there?
Naturalisation generally requires ten years of lawful, uninterrupted residence, release from your other citizenship, accommodation and a secure income, with exceptions for special cases. There is no longer an investment route to a passport.
Banking in our network
We do not publish institution names: the right partner depends on your profile, and each institution keeps its own view on who it will serve.
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No partner institution in our network is based here; companies and residents here are introduced to partners in other jurisdictions.
- A Montenegrin bank account helps evidence means of subsistence and is needed to run a local company and pay salaries and contributions. Banks apply their own due diligence to non-resident customers, which can add time to a company-based application.
- Montenegrin banks are outside our banking network; if you need an international account alongside the local one, our banking assessment covers it.
Questions
Does Montenegro still offer citizenship by investment?
No. The investor citizenship scheme expired on 31 December 2022, and the European Commission has said there should be no further scheme. Citizenship is now available only through naturalisation after long lawful residence or on special grounds.
Is Montenegro in the EU or the Schengen area?
Neither. Montenegro is an EU candidate country and uses the euro, but it is not an EU member and not part of Schengen. A Montenegrin residence permit therefore does not give the right to live in EU countries.
Does Montenegro tax worldwide income?
Yes, for tax residents. You are resident if your domicile or centre of personal and economic interests is in Montenegro, or if you spend at least 183 days there in a tax year. Non-residents pay tax only on Montenegrin-source income.
Sources
- 1.Official Gazette of Montenegro 3/2026: Law amending the Law on Foreigners (adopted 31 December 2025), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 2.Government of Montenegro: Temporary residence, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 3.Government of Montenegro: Permanent residence, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 4.Government digital nomad portal: Legal status for nomads, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 5.European Commission: Montenegro 2023 Report, SWD(2023) 694 (investor citizenship scheme), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 6.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Montenegro, taxes on corporate income, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 7.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Montenegro, taxes on personal income, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 8.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Montenegro, individual residence, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 9.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Montenegro, corporate withholding taxes, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 10.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Montenegro, income determination, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 11.Law on Montenegrin Citizenship (2008), Article 8, English text via ecoi.net, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 12.Redomiciled internal notes: Montenegro residence programmes (internal), retrieved 2026-10-25
Reviewed by the Redomiciled team on .
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