How to buy real estate in Montenegro and obtain a residence permit based on home ownership

If you've been planning to purchase a property abroad and want to obtain an official Montenegrin residence permit through real estate for your entire family, now is the best time to explore this opportunity. Montenegro remains one of the most accessible and easiest destinations for relocation to Europe. In this article, we'll explore in detail how to obtain residency through residential investment, the legislative regulations that have come into effect, and the current price per square meter on the Adriatic coast and in the northern mountainous regions of the country.

View the catalog of properties available for residence permits on our website: gomonte.me

When you complete a purchase or sale through our agency, we offer a residence permit as a gift. Learn more from our consultants: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.

1. New Rules and Restrictions in 2026

The real estate market and immigration legislation underwent significant changes at the beginning of this year:

• Accessibility for Foreigners: As of January 1, 2026, there are no restrictions on purchasing real estate in Montenegro for citizens of the Russian Federation, CIS countries, and other countries. The transaction process remains transparent and legally secure.
• Investment Threshold: An important update affected the legalization rules. According to the new law, the minimum property value for qualifying for a residence permit is now €150,000. Properties under this amount can still be purchased for living or renting out, but they no longer qualify for a residence permit (boravaka).

Prices per square meter:

• On the coast (Budva, Tivat, Kotor), prices start at €2,800–3,500 per square meter, depending on the proximity to the sea.
• In the mountains (Kolašin, Žabljak), the aparthotel sector is actively developing, with prices per square meter ranging from €2,000 to €2,500, making them an excellent option for entering the residence permit program.

Obtaining residency status through the purchase of a home is not only a gateway to life in a European country with a mild climate but also a reliable investment in a liquid asset, the price of which steadily increases by 5-7% per year.

Our agency offers a wide selection of apartments available for purchase on the primary and secondary market in Montenegro: gomonte.me/en/apartments

2. The process of completing a purchase and sale transaction in Montenegro

1. Standard set of documents:

• international passport
• TIN
• Confirmation of financial solvency (account statement)

2. Tax on the purchase of real estate: 3% of the cadastral value 3. Registration of property rights: In the cadastral and registry authorities

Important:

• Before buying real estate
• Check the legal purity of the object
• Check for any encumbrances
• Conclude a purchase and sale agreement with the help of a lawyer

Our specialists will accompany you at all stages of the transaction with a translator and check the legal purity of the transaction. If you have any questions, ask us or sign up for a free consultation: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WatsAap /Telegram or send us an email: gomonte3000@gmail.com.

3. Where to buy the cheapest housing in Montenegro

You can buy cheap housing in Montenegro in such regions as: Bar, Petrovac, Dobra Voda, Ulcinj, Krimovica - if you want to live by the sea or, for example, in the north - these are Zabljak, Pljevlja, Niksic. The GoMonte real estate agency offers a large selection of housing at different prices, without commission. See our catalog with convenient search: gomonte.me

Prices in the regions depend on the distance from the sea, developed infrastructure, type of housing, its physical wear and tear, availability of equipment and furniture.

Advantages of the north: low prices, including for utilities, calm atmosphere, picturesque nature. Disadvantages: distance from the sea, electric or gas heating, less developed infrastructure, no job vacancies.

The advantages of living by the sea: developed infrastructure, a large selection of cafes, shops, there are job vacancies. Disadvantages: high prices and noise, especially during the tourist season

You can also choose apartments under construction and pay in installments. Find out more from our consultants: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WatsAap /Telegram or send us an email: gomonte3000@gmail.com.

4. What does buying an apartment or house in Montenegro give?

Owning real estate in Montenegro provides a number of advantages: residence permit, investment potential, business opportunities.

A residence permit gives the right to: reside in the country for up to 180 days a year, obtain a permanent residence permit after 5 years, the right to free medical care, educate children in schools and universities, obtain a Schengen visa.

An apartment, house or villa can be rented out, receiving passive income of 1000 euros per month and above. There is also an increase in prices and in the future you can resell the property if you bought in a favorable location.

5. What documents are required to obtain a residence permit based on the purchase of real estate

To obtain a residence permit in Montenegro for real estate, the following documents are required:

• International passport
• Original criminal record certificate
• Insurance for 30 days
• Bank account statement for at least 3650 euros

You can submit it yourself, or you can turn to our specialists for help. Read more about residence permit and cost here: services/residence-permit.

6. Real estate in Montenegro: pros and cons

The advantages of purchasing real estate in Montenegro include:

1. Low prices compared to other European countries
2. Ease of completing a transaction
3. Low taxes
4. Favorable climate for living
5. Security

Minuses:

1. Lack of central heating
2. High humidity on the coast, which can cause mold growth; it is necessary to monitor the ventilation and maintenance of the property

7. Real estate in Montenegro pitfalls

Despite the fact that every year the demand for the purchase of construction projects is growing, both residential and commercial, there are many nuances that need to be taken into account before deciding to make a deal. Pitfalls can await you in legal matters, when choosing a developer, location, and even a lawyer. Therefore, it is important to seek help from professionals who will help you avoid unpleasant moments and work only with specialists who have been proven over the years.

1. Illegal construction

Before purchasing a property, you must carefully check all documents to ensure that it was built legally. For example, there may be a discrepancy between the cadastral and real areas: in some cases, the cadastral area of a property may differ from the real one.

If you are purchasing property from heirs, you must carefully check all documents to ensure that there are no inheritance disputes.

2. Unscrupulous developers

Many do not meet construction deadlines, which can lead to financial losses for buyers. There is also poor quality of construction. Before purchasing a property, you should carefully inspect the property to ensure that everything complies with the technical requirements and construction documents.

3. Poor infrastructure

In some regions of Montenegro, the infrastructure is not as developed as in developed European countries. This may cause some inconvenience, especially for those who are accustomed to a high level of comfort. For example, there may be difficulties with accessing the Internet. It is better that it has already been carried out.

To avoid stress and take into account all the nuances, including checking for illegal construction, entrust the transaction to our real estate agency GoMonte in Montenegro. More than 10 years on the market, positive customer reviews, large catalog of properties on the coast and north: gomonte.me.

8. Tips for buying a home in Montenegro

• Determine your budget
• Select region and type of accommodation
• Study the market
• Compare prices
• Check the documents
• Engage a lawyer or contact the specialists of our agency.

9. How a real estate agency can help secure your transaction

Real estate agency in Budva "GoMonte" provides the following services:

• Receive a free consultation.
• Legal support for purchase and sale transactions in Montenegro
• Renting real estate for a temporary stay in Montenegro, drawing up rental agreements, notarizing the transaction, providing a free translator.
• Purchasing real estate for permanent residence, assistance in preparing documents for obtaining a residence permit. Read the list of documents required to obtain a residence permit in the section Residence Permit in Montenegro.
• Possibility to conclude an agreement online and pay for the rental or purchase of an object. Various payment options: a regular transaction through a bank or in the digital currency Bitcoin.
• Trust management of your property. More details here: services/estate-management

We legally check all transactions for security: whether the seller really owns the property, whether he has debts, whether the seller owns 100% of the apartment, not a share, and we also check his functionality. The realtor must provide information about the presence or absence of encumbrances on the apartment, and only after these checks do we create a purchase and sale agreement and be sure to have it certified by a notary. Transfer of payment to the owner for the purchase of real estate only after registration of ownership.

Looking to buy a house or apartment by the sea in Montenegro? Get a free consultation with our specialists: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WatsAap /Telegram.

See our catalog of offers on the website: gomonte.me. Read also other articles on the topic of buying a home: Luxury real estate in Montenegro and its investment potential blog/post/21, How to choose and buy an apartment in Budva blog/post/22.