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How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Montenegro?
For detailed information +90 542 381 3868 'Call.
A temporary residence permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. Additionally, in some cases, it can be converted into a permanent residence valid for five years. This excludes the digital nomad residence permit, which can be valid for up to two years but cannot be converted to permanent status.
If you decide to apply for a residence permit in Montenegro, you will need to be present for the application. Unlike company registration, it cannot be done remotely. The documents you need to submit may vary depending on the type of Montenegrin residence permit visa. However, in all cases, you must prove the validity of your request. Additionally, a no-conviction certificate (clean criminal record) and accommodation in Montenegro for the duration of the residence are mandatory in every case. Also, note that your police clearance must be apostilled. If your country is not part of the Apostille Convention, the documents must be fully legalized.
If you do not want to lose your residence status and have to start over, you should pay attention to the limitations on time spent outside Montenegro. If you obtain a residence permit as a company CEO or a digital nomad, there are no limitations. All other residence permit holders are limited to 30 days outside Montenegro. You may have an additional 60 days, but only with a valid reason and prior notification to the police.
Another important note is that you must enter Montenegro legally and register your stay from the day you enter the country. Otherwise, your residence permit application will be rejected. The temporary residence permit application must be submitted to the police branch in the city where you plan to reside. If you enter Montenegro without a visa, you can apply for residence at any time during your normal 90-day stay. However, if you need a Montenegrin visa, you must enter with a Type D business visa to be able to apply.
A temporary residence permit based on company ownership is technically a residence permit based on employment. In short, you cannot get a residence permit simply as a company owner or co-owner. However, if you employ yourself as a CEO or in another position, you can. Most clients prefer the CEO position as it gives them full control over the company. You can also take advantage of not being limited by the amount of time you can spend outside Montenegro during your residency. If you are registered as the company CEO, you are not required to spend a specific amount of time in Montenegro. However, if your goal is permanent residence, this could affect it.
It does not matter if you are registered as a CEO or in another position, your salary must be at least the minimum net salary in Montenegro (€450.00 per month). Additionally, salary taxes and social contributions must be paid to the tax office. This amount varies depending on the net salary but is a minimum of €117.00.
Registering a company and obtaining a residence permit as its CEO is a very convenient option. Depending on your goals, you can lower your taxes, have corporate and personal bank accounts in a new country, and have easier access to cheaper labor and European clients. Or you could simply have a backup residence in a beautiful Mediterranean country.
Digital nomads – individuals who work remotely online for foreign companies – can obtain a residence permit in Montenegro. Unlike the "standard" residence permit, this one can be valid for up to two years. Furthermore, it can be extended for up to two more years. Therefore, the total stay for digital nomads in Montenegro is up to four years. With this in mind, digital nomads are not eligible to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum monthly income a digital nomad must present is €1,350.00 per month. This must be shown in the employment contract and bank records.
Notably, since their income is technically earned abroad, digital nomads are not liable to pay any taxes in Montenegro. With this in mind, if you want to use Montenegro's advantageous tax system and become a tax resident, you will need to choose another form of temporary residence permit.
When it comes to documents for the application, you need to prove that you fit the definition of a "digital nomad," have a clean police record, and have a place to stay in Montenegro.
You can obtain a temporary residence permit as a property owner in Montenegro. However, you are only eligible for residency if you own an apartment, house, or office space in which you can live or conduct business. You must own at least 51% of the said property to be eligible for a residence permit. As a foreigner, you can own land, but you cannot obtain residency based on it. However, if you own land, you can obtain residency by registering a company.
If you decide to apply for a residence permit based on property ownership, you will need to present the property's title deed (List nepokretnosti). Of course, proof of sufficient funds and a no-conviction certificate are also mandatory.
A family reunification residence permit is available for the spouses and dependents of Montenegrin residence permit holders or Montenegrin citizens. Dependents are considered children under the age of 18. Therefore, if you obtain a residence permit as a company owner, employee, or digital nomad, your family can also apply on this ground.
In this case, you will need to provide marriage certificates and birth certificates for the children. If only the children are applying for family reunification, there must be a permission slip from the other parent allowing it.
A foreign student who is fully enrolled in a university in Montenegro can apply for a residence permit based on education. Additionally, students participating in a student exchange program are also eligible. As family reunification is not possible in this case, this type of permit can only be granted to the student.
As a foreigner, you can obtain a permanent residence permit if you have lived in Montenegro for five years based on a temporary residence permit. If during this period you have spent a total of up to ten months (or six months at one time) outside Montenegro, you can apply. However, if you have a residence permit for education, specialization, or training, only half of the time spent in Montenegro will count towards the five-year requirement.
For the permanent residence permit application, you will need to demonstrate basic skills in the Montenegrin language. Permanent residence is valid for five years and can be extended multiple times.
At World Company Setup, we offer you a one-stop service to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit in Montenegro. Our offers include documentation, translation, verification, and residence permit fees.
Obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro is relatively easy and inexpensive. If you are looking for a second or third home or long-term accommodation, it could be the perfect solution for you. It is possible to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro within a 15-day process.
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