Residence permit in Montenegro in 2025. Migration consultations and legal support

Obtaining a permanent residence permit in Montenegro in 2025 is mandatory for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Turkey, India, China, and other foreign nationals planning to stay longer than their tourist visas allow. This permit entitles foreign citizens to stay in the country longer than the established period as residents, not tourists. The residence card (boravak) is issued for one year with the right to extend it for another year.

If you plan to move to Montenegro and quickly obtain a residence permit, you need expert support. GoMonte lawyers provide consultations on Montenegrin residence permits and immigration issues and assist with applying for a residence permit in Budva and other cities. Request a call from a lawyer: +382 67 322 888 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), Email: gomonte3000@gmail.com

The residence permit also allows access to healthcare, free school education for children, opening bank accounts, and registering vehicles.

For citizens of visa-required countries (India, China, and African countries), the residence card allows them to travel freely within Montenegro without having to extend their long-term tourist visa.

Below in this article, we'll discuss the grounds for becoming a long-term resident, as well as how to obtain legal assistance in this process and avoid mistakes.

1. Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in 2025

The country's legislation establishes the following methods of legalization for long-term residency:

• Based on ownership of real estate, legalized properties, excluding land plots and commercial premises
• Based on ownership of a company that pays taxes on time and conducts any activities that do not violate the law
• Contract employment in any field
• Family reunification If one of the family members already has a temporary residence permit for any of the above reasons

Below we will examine each of these reasons in more detail.

2. Legal support when applying for a residence permit in Montenegro

GoMonte offers legal assistance in obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro:

• Professional consultation and situational analysis
• Collection and preparation of a complete set of documents. We will compile a complete list of necessary documents and help you gather them. This includes properly signing a rental agreement, obtaining a cadastral extract, and obtaining health insurance.
• Competent translation and notarization. We work with licensed translators and notaries to eliminate any errors.
• Support at the Migration Service. We will personally accompany you to the MUP in Budva.
• Monitoring and information. After submitting your application, we will monitor its progress and promptly inform you of the status of your case. You will not have to call or visit authorities yourself.

Below in this article, we will describe the requirements for submitting documents.

3. Residence Permit Based on Real Estate

This is one of the most popular and reliable grounds for obtaining a residence permit. A foreigner who owns real estate in Montenegro is eligible for a residence permit. The most popular cities for relocation are Budva, Petrovac, Bar, Herceg Novi on the coast, and the capital, Podgorica. Read more about choosing a city in our article: https://gomonte.me/blog/post/9/

View our real estate catalog on our website: https://gomonte.me/

Requirements: a purchase agreement and a certificate of ownership must be provided. There is no minimum property value.

4. Residence Permit Based on Company Registration

Requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro based on company registration: you must register a company (usually a D.O.O., similar to an LLC), appoint yourself as the director, and open a bank account.

5. Employment-based residence permit

Requirements: an official employment contract with a company registered in Montenegro and a work permit. You must also rent a place to live and have the contract notarized.

See our rental catalog on our website: https://gomonte.me/

6. Residence Permit through Family Reunification

This is for those whose close relatives already have a residence permit or Montenegrin citizenship. Requirements: Family ties (spouses, minor children) to a person already legally residing in the country, a copy of their birth certificate, a copy of the marriage certificate with a Montenegrin translation, 30-day medical insurance, and a notarized one-year rental agreement.

7. The Residence Permit Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you've decided on the reason for moving to Montenegro, you're faced with the key task of obtaining a residence permit. Although this process seems complicated, it consists of several clear steps. In this guide, we'll detail the step-by-step instructions for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro, so you can make the process as smooth as possible. 

Step 1. Prepare the required documents.

• A valid passport.
• Proof of the basis for a residence permit (e.g., a land registry extract, lease agreement, or business registration certificate).
• Medical insurance valid in Montenegro.
• A certificate of good conduct from your country of citizenship.
• Proof of housing (lease or ownership agreement).
• A bank statement confirming financial solvency.

Step 2. Pay the required fees and submit biometric data. According to the law, the application review period is up to 40 days.

Step 4. Submit the application and required information.

Step 5. Wait for the issuance.

8. Timeframe and Cost of Support

The timeframe for document preparation depends on the chosen legalization method. It is best to begin working on this issue early. Municipal authorities can process documents within 30 days.

The cost of paperwork, tax payments, and support can be found in our section: https://gomonte.me/services/

9. How to obtain a residence permit for family members

The following categories of citizens are eligible for a residence permit through family reunification:

• Spouses, if they are officially married and have the original marriage certificate.
• Minor children, including adopted children or children under guardianship.
• Other relatives, but in some cases, with compelling reasons (for example, financial dependence), it is possible to obtain a residence permit for parents.

What needs to be provided to the MUP authorities:

• A valid passport for each family member.
• Marriage certificate (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children).
• Documents confirming housing (rental or purchase).
• A certificate of no criminal record (for adults), issued no later than three months ago.
• Health insurance for each family member.
• Proof of financial solvency for the main applicant.

All documents issued outside Montenegro must be apostilled, translated into Montenegrin, and notarized. This is the most complex and crucial stage, where the slightest error can lead to refusal.

GoMonte's professional legal support for legalization in Montenegro includes:

• Consultation on collecting a complete set of documents.
• Review and preparation of documents to ensure they meet requirements.
• Assistance with translation and notarization of documents.
• Support in submitting documents to the Budva Municipality Migration Authority.

Contact us today for a consultation:

+382 67 322 888 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)

Email: gomonte3000@gmail.com