Montenegro Immigration Law: Get a residence permit

We are starting a series of articles about Montenegro, key figures and helpful information that you must know if you are thinking to move to the country or open a business here.

If you are considering Montenegro as your next living destination, you will need to take care of your residence permit. We have spoken to one of the experts in accounting, legislation and tax regulations in Montenegro, Jacco Landsmeer, the owner of Ekonomik Accountants and Ekonomik Asset Management:

“Once a person embraces the beauty of this country, for many cases, there is no way back. Combination of the stunning landscapes, water area, history and cultural traditions makes the country one of those unique locations on the earth that people are choosing as their long-term location. Additionally, statistics show that “Cost of Living index” is “very low” and makes 40 points, while “Quality of Life” is “high” and reaches 135 points. In other words, it’s relatively cheap to live in Montenegro, and good health, comfort, and happiness are all around.

Immigration to Montenegro can be fast and quite easy to organize. Procedures are transparent, and most regulations are clear. Unfortunately, the internet is full of different stories, including outdated regulations and wrong interpretations. If you decided to move to Montenegro, we advise you to work only with official institutes, professional lawyers and/or certified accountants, who do know the law and work accordingly. Stay far away from the so-called middlemen or vague consultancy firms, people with no apparent background.

When dealing with governmental institutions, courts, and local municipalities, it is essential to work with licensed specialists, who have up-to-date knowledge, work with secure accounting software, show solid management, real testimonials from customers and provide trusted references. Such professionals will guide and support you on the path of a proper integration for you and your family into the Montenegrin society. If you decide to immigrate and/or start a new company in Montenegro play safe, prevent mistakes and do not go for uncertain bargain deals as cheap buying does not exist. ” 

You will ask “What exactly should I do?”. Below, we share with you the procedures, consisting of the mandatory steps that you need to undertake to apply for your residence permit, normally done under the guidance of an expert, once you decided to migrate for long-term to Montenegro.

Permit for temporary residence and work

For the first stay for foreigners based on employment, seasonal work or cross-border services you will need to collect and submit the following documents to apply for the residence permit (Borovak):

Step 1. Make an application for a stay.

Step 2. A written offer of an employer for employing a foreigner at a particular workplace. 

Step 3. Proof of acquired level of education and qualification (Nostrified diploma).

Step 4. Medical certificate – issued by the competent health institution in Montenegro.

Step 5. Health insurance (insurance policy in Montenegro or health booklet).

Step 6. Proof of secured accommodation – Real estate list, statement of landlords and real estate list, confirmation of employer about collective housing with entrepreneur or entrepreneur registered for providing the accommodation service (or other connection between the owner of the apartment and the lessee).

Step 7. Proof of the means of subsistence – evidence of possession of funds in the account, evidence of personal income from work engagement in the last three months, or confirmation from the employer about the employee’s earnings. It is necessary that a foreigner possess cash or a certificate/statement in the amount of at least 10 € for each day of residence required.

Step 8. Payment to the account: 825-50-71, model 05 – 5,00 euros.

Step 9. Payment to the account: 825-42-95, model 05 – 60,00 euros.

Step 10. Proof that in the State of origin he has not been convicted in a final court of an unconditional sentence of more than six months in prison for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio or the legal consequences of the conviction have ceased.

Step 11. Rulebook on organization and job classification.

Step 12. Photocopy of the passport or biometric ID card.

Step 13. Evidence from the CRPS – proof of the registration of a legal entity or person within Montenegro (excerpt from the Central Registry of Business Entities).

No document should be older than six months.

Note that these steps are for first stay for foreigners based on employment, seasonal work. Cross-border services require additional documents, based on the type of the work, cooperation contract, etc.

Temporary residence for employment and work

For the extension of temporary residence for employment and work, you will need to submit the following documents:

Step 1. A valid travel document or ID card,

Step 2. A written employer’s offer. 

Step 3. Medical certificate,

Step 4. Proof of paid tax liabilities and contributions,

Step 5. Proof of the acquired level of education – Nostrified diploma

Step 6. Payment to the account: 825-50-71, model 05 – EUR 5.00,

Step 7. Payment to the giro account: 825-42-95, model 05 – 30,00 euros.

Step 8. Rulebook on organization and job classification.

Finally, proof of the acquired level of education and qualification (Nostrified diploma) is requested. Either to bring a new confirmation from the Ministry of education that the diploma is still in the procedure from the initial application or to bring the finalized resolution of the nostrified diploma from Ministry of education.

The first stay on the basis of family reunification

List of documents for the first stay on the basis of family reunification:

Step 1. Make an application for a stay.

Step 2. Photocopy of the passport – first page (unverified). All the pages are required in e.g. Podgorica and Bar, in some other municipalities the first page is enough.

Step 3. Marriage certificate or childbirth certificate over six months old for a child (for foreign documents, translation by a court interpreter). It is required for the even younger child, there is no strict “over six months old” rule applied.

Step 4. Copy of the document of the person requesting the joining of the stay (valid residence).

Step 5. Health insurance for 30 days.

Step 6. Proof of secured accommodation (sub-contractor real estate list).

Step 7. Proof of the means of subsistence – (Proof of possession of funds in the account, evidence of personal income from work engagement or working engagement of the spouse/father in the last three months, or confirmation from the employer about the receipt of an employed spouse/father). It is necessary that a foreigner possess cash or a certificate/statement in the amount of at least 10 € for each day of residence required.

Step 8. Proof that he has not been sentenced in the State of origin to an unconditional sentence of imprisonment of more than 6 months for a criminal offense. This is required for children 14 years +.

Here are more options of how you can get your residence permit in Montenegro:

• The first temporary stay on the basis of marriage with a Montenegrin citizen.
• Extension of temporary residence on the basis of family reunification ie marriage with a Montenegrin citizen.
• Temporary residence on the basis of ownership of the property.
• Temporary residence based on education (schooling, participation in international student exchange programs or in other youth programs, specialization, professional competence training or practical training of foreign nationals).
• Permanent residence of foreigners who have 5 years of residence in Montenegro in continuity.
• Temporary residence on the basis of scientific research work.
• Temporary residence on the basis of medical treatment.
• Temporary residence on the basis of humanitarian reasons.
• Temporary residence on the basis of religious service.
• Temporary residence on the basis of volunteering in the European Voluntary Service Program.
• Temporary residence on the basis of a stateless person’s stay.
• Temporary residence on the basis of other events, according to the law and international treaties.

Got a question?

If you are interested in getting a consultancy and an overview of the total costs of one of the above procedures, please feel free to fill in the form below, we will advise you professional consultants in Montenegro, who will take care and support you at the immigration procedure.

 Source: numbeo.com, assistent.me