Situated on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, Montenegro is known for its magnificent and unparalleled natural beauty. Emerging as a sovereign state in 2006, Montenegro is a member of NATO, uses the euro as its currency, and is an official candidate country for EU membership.
Montenegro Citizenship by Investment
The Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program was launched by the Government of Montenegro as part of its ongoing efforts to attract foreign direct investment and increase economic activity in the country.
The Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program requires applicants to make a defined economic contribution to Montenegrin society through an investment in an approved development project, and a capital contribution to a fund designated by the government for the advancement of under-developed areas. In exchange, and subject to a stringent vetting and due diligence process, including thorough background checks, applicants and their families are granted citizenship.
Benefits of the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 124 destinations including Europe’s Schengen Area, Russia, and Türkiye
- Citizenship in a country that is an official EU candidate country
- Citizenship in a multinational and multilingual European community that enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful scenery, and a low cost of living
- Citizenship in a member state of the European Monetary Union, the NATO Alliance, OSCE, and the WTO
- Full citizenship granted to the applicant and family members
- Investment in a development project operated by a renowned hotel brand
Requirements of Montenegrin citizenship by investment
To qualify for the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and make the qualifying contributions to the Government of Montenegro. There are two routes to choose from to qualify for the program:
- An investment of EUR 450,000 to development projects in the capital of Podgorica or in the coastal regions
- An investment of EUR 250,000 to development projects in northern or central Montenegro, excluding Podgorica
In addition, there is a government fee of EUR 200,000 per application. This contribution will be directed to a special fund for the advancement of underdeveloped areas (EUR 100,000) and towards the Innovation Fund of Montenegro (EUR 100,000).
Procedures and time frame of the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program
All applications are submitted through intermediary agents such as Henley & Partners, which have been officially accredited to the Government of Montenegro for this purpose. Once received by the relevant government department, applications are processed within eight to ten months.
Dual citizenship
Successful applicants to the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program are exempt from the country’s restrictions on dual citizenship stipulated in Article 8 of the law on Montenegrin citizenship. Article 12 of the law states that citizenship may be exceptionally granted to individuals on the basis of special contributions (such as economic interest) to the country, which applies to successful program applicants.
Montenegro Residence
Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing Balkan economies, as classified by the World Bank. The nation is quickly establishing itself as a key strategic destination for some of the world’s most important industries. The Government of the Republic of Montenegro welcomes wealthy and talented foreign individuals who are able to make a significant, qualified investment into the country. Under this offering, individuals can become residents of Montenegro within approximately one month.
Benefits of Montenegro Residence
- Highly efficient procedure for residence application and opening a bank account
- Minimal application requirements, with only one visit to Montenegro required during the application process
- Eligibility to apply for permanent residence after five years
- Low business operation costs compared to other European jurisdictions
- Duty-free trade and customs agreements with EU member states, Switzerland, Türkiye, and other countries
- Residence in a member state of the European Monetary Union, the NATO Alliance, OSCE, and the WTO
- Residence in a country that is multinational and multilingual, and enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful scenery, and a low cost of living
Requirements of Montenegro Residence
To acquire residence, applicants must select one of the following investment options:
- Real estate acquisition
Purchase an existing property (no minimum value is required). - Legal entity registration
Fulfill the following requirements:- Create and register a legal entity in Montenegro.
- Open a bank account.
- Rent or purchase office space for the business.
- Rent or purchase residential property for personal use.
Annual costs associated with company operations start from EUR 3,000.
Procedures and time frame of Montenegro Residence
Applications must include completed application forms and be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents. Applicants are required to visit the country once during the application process. Within approximately one month, successful applicants receive a residence permit that is valid for one year and renewable annually. After holding residence status for five years, they can apply for Montenegrin permanent residence.