Where is the easiest place for Russians to obtain a residence permit in Europe in 2026: Why Montenegro is the number one choice

Amid global changes in immigration legislation, our relocation experts at GoMonte explore in this article the easiest way for Russians to obtain a residence permit in Europe. This question is becoming central for thousands of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and families, as many are wondering how to obtain a residence permit in Europe in 2026, when the old, tried-and-true routes through Portugal or Spain have become overloaded with restrictions and bureaucratic barriers. Montenegro today offers the optimal combination of legal clarity, speed of processing, and friendliness to applicants from Russia.

We've identified three factors that make it easier to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro in 2026 than in other European countries: minimal documentation, a low refusal rate, and speed of processing. Read more about this and how to move to Montenegro below in this article.

GoMonte helps you obtain a Montenegro residence permit "turnkey" without waiting in line or stress. For more information, please contact our consultants: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.

You can also schedule a consultation with an immigration lawyer or accountant on business relocation issues.

1. Finding the Easiest Route to Europe

Finding a "backup route" or a new place to live in 2026 requires a thorough market analysis. While previously the choice was between dozens of countries, today the list of available destinations for Russian citizens has narrowed to a few key players.

1.1. Why Many EU Countries Have Closed Programs for Russians

The situation in the European Union remains challenging. The main reasons why previously popular programs have become unavailable are:

• Suspension of Golden Visas: Most EU countries have closed programs for obtaining residence permits through the purchase of real estate for Russian citizens.
• Complication of banking procedures: In Schengen countries, opening a personal bank account for a non-resident has become virtually impossible without a long-term contract with a local employer.
• Political quotas: Several Baltic and Eastern European countries have introduced direct legislative bans on issuing initial residence permits, regardless of the reason (work, business, or education).

1.2. Why Montenegro is the easiest place to obtain a residence permit

Three factors make Montenegro the easiest place to obtain a residence permit in 2026 compared to other European countries:

• A minimal set of documents is required for the application. Unlike EU countries, which require apostille for every certificate and proof of the legal origin of all savings (Proof of Funds), the document set remains clear and achievable (a certificate of good conduct, a diploma, a bank statement).
• Low refusal rate when supported by our specialists. The Montenegrin system is designed to attract an economically active population. If your documents comply with the Foreigners' Act, the chances of receiving a Boravak card are close to 98%.
• Fast processing time. The entire process, from submitting documents to the police (MUP) to receiving the plastic card, takes 20 to 40 days. By comparison, in Portugal or Spain, this period can stretch out from 3 to 12 months.

2. Comparison of Available Destinations: Why Montenegro Leads the Way

When choosing a country for relocation in 2026, it's important not to succumb to the inertia of the past. Destinations that were accessible just a couple of years ago have now become impenetrable quests.

2.1. Brief Overview of Alternatives (Portugal, Spain, France)

Despite the appeal of "old" Europe, the reality for Russian passport holders is as follows:

• Portugal: The renowned "digital nomad" program (Digital Nomad Visa) now requires proof of income four times the national minimum wage (more than €3,300 per month). Furthermore, waiting times for an appointment to submit documents (AIMA) can be up to a year.
• Spain: The Digital Nomad visa is still active, but Spanish banks are massively refusing to open accounts without a residence permit, and consulates require reams of documents with apostilles and traductor jurado translations, significantly increasing the cost of the process.
• France: The "Passeport Talent" program is only available to highly qualified specialists or large investors. A standard freelance residence permit ("Profession Libérale") requires a complex business plan in French and evidence of economic benefit to the region.

Against this backdrop, Montenegro appears to be a place where the rules remain transparent and stable.

2.2. Key Benefits of Relocating to Montenegro

Why is Montenegro considered the "№1 choice" by the professional community in 2026? Here are the key arguments:

• Ease of starting a business: Company registration (D.O.O.) takes 5-7 business days and is the most popular basis for a residence permit. The authorized capital can be as low as 1 euro.
• Residence permit through real estate: Unlike EU countries, Montenegro grants residence permits upon the purchase of a residential property worth at least €150,000 (new amendments to the law from December 31, 2025, regarding the minimum housing value threshold for residence permits based on real estate ownership). Meanwhile, other EU countries have already discontinued their residence permit programs based on real estate purchases.
• Cultural and linguistic proximity: For Russians, the Montenegrin language (a variant of Serbian) is intuitively understandable, and the local population remains extremely friendly and hospitable.

Learn more about obtaining a residence permit on our website: gomonte.me/services

Or contact our specialists: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.

3. How to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro in 2026

The legalization process in this small country on the Adriatic coast remains one of the most predictable in Europe. Methods of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro (Boravak) for Russians in 2026 include: residence permit by opening a company, residence permit based on the purchase of real estate, Digital Nomad Visa (if you are a remote worker), employment with a company, and family reunification.

3.1. Residence permit by opening a company (D.O.O.): The most popular and reliable method

• How it works: You open a company, obtain a seal, and register a legal address. Based on the fact that you are the director of your own business, the state issues you a residence permit.
• Costs: Turnkey registration with legal services in 2026 costs approximately €600–€800. Monthly maintenance costs (accountant and minimum social security taxes for the director) are approximately €150-200, plus taxes depending on the company's income.
• Pros: No actual turnover or local employee hiring is required for document renewal. The main thing is to pay taxes and submit reports on time.

You can learn more about taxes and doing business in Montenegro by requesting a consultation with our accountant: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.

3.2. Residence Permit for Real Estate in Montenegro: Requirements and Realities as of 2026

While previously, residence permits were granted for any real estate and there was no minimum value requirement, by 2026, the requirements for properties have become stricter.

• Property Type: The property must be residential (apartment, house). Residence permits cannot be obtained by purchasing only a plot of land.
• Cost threshold: Starting in 2026, only properties over €150,000 are eligible for residence permits based on real estate ownership.
• Note: Residence permits are issued for one year and are renewable as long as you own the property.

View the property catalog for residence permits on our website: gomonte.me

3.3. Residence Permit for Digital Nomads: Program Conditions

The program, launched several years ago, became more structured in 2026. It is ideal for those working for companies outside the country.

• Income: You must prove a monthly income of at least 2.5 times the average salary in Montenegro (in 2026, this is approximately €2,200 - €2,500).
• Duration: A nomad visa is issued for two years with the possibility of an additional two-year extension.
• Main bonus: Digital nomads in Montenegro are completely exempt from income tax on income received from abroad. This is one of the most generous offers in Europe.

Learn more about Digital Nomad documents: gomonte.me/services

Request a consultation: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram

3.4. Residence Permit through Family Reunification: How to Bring Your Loved Ones

If one spouse has received a Boravak (through a company, job, or real estate), the remaining family members receive it automatically.

• Eligible: Spouses and minor children under 18.
• Timeframe: The family submits documents immediately after the main applicant (company director or homeowner) receives their residence permit plastic card.

4. Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro and its cost in 2026

Application procedure with the Ministry of Internal Affairs:

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) is the Ministry of the Interior, whose branches in every city accept applications for residence permits.

• Step 1: After crossing the border, you have 24 hours to register at a tourist information point and pay the tourist fee (approximately 1 euro per day).
• Step 2: Local transfers. All your Russian documents must be submitted to a certified translator (sudski tumač) in Montenegro. Translations made in Russia will not be accepted.
• Step 3: Medical certificate and insurance. You must undergo a quick medical examination at a local clinic (Dom Zdravlja) and obtain basic 30-day insurance (costs approximately €30-40).
• Step 4: Submitting documents. Upon submission, your fingerprints will be taken, your photo will be taken, and you will be issued a confirmation (potvrda).
• Step 5: Receipt. With this confirmation, you are now legally in the country. After a certain period of time, you return to the MUP to pick up your plastic card.

Processing times and turnkey costs at our company, GoMonte:

• The official processing time is up to 40 days. In practice, in 2026, during the "low season" (winter-spring), the card will be issued in 20-25 days. During the height of summer, processing times can be extended up to two months due to the influx of tourists.
• GoMonte's legal/assistant services for obtaining a residence permit based on real estate or for family reunification start at €300.
• A turnkey residence permit application through company registration (including fees, translations, and legal services) costs an average of €1,000.

A more detailed cost estimate for your specific case and an up-to-date list of documents can be found on our website in the "Residence Permit" section: gomonte.me/services

5. Life in Montenegro after receiving a residence permit

Obtaining the coveted "plastic card" (boravka) is just the beginning. In 2026, Montenegro will retain its status as one of the most comfortable countries for settling in, but there are some nuances that should be considered before moving.

5.1. Rent and Grocery Costs

The cost of living in Montenegro in 2026 has stabilized after the sharp fluctuations of previous years:

• Rent: A one-bedroom apartment (1+1) on the coast will cost €500-700 per month with an annual contract. In the capital, Podgorica, where life is vibrant even in winter, prices are lower – around €400-600.
• Grocery and Household: A trip to the supermarket for two will cost an average of €80-120 per week. Lunch at a local "mesar" (a butcher's shop where your meat is grilled right away) costs €6-10, and dinner at a coastal restaurant starts at €25 per person.

Find rental properties in Montenegro on our website: gomonte.me

5.2. Opening a personal bank account with a Russian passport

This is one of the most frequently asked questions in 2026. Unlike EU countries, Montenegro is more lenient towards Russian citizens, but compliance has become more stringent.

• Where to open an account? The main banks that work with Russians with a residence permit are Adriatic Bank, Hipotekarna Banka, and CKB.
• What are the requirements? In addition to your residence permit card, you will be asked for proof of income (or proof of remote work), bank statements from Russia or another country, and, in some cases, proof of the legal origin of funds.

Contact our consultants for assistance in opening a bank account in Montenegro: Request a consultation: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.

5.3. Schools and kindergartens for children of relocated persons

• Kindergartens: There are public (costing a symbolic €30-50 per month) and private (from €250). Private kindergartens often have groups with Russian-speaking teachers.
• Public schools: Free for children with a residence permit. The language barrier in elementary school disappears within 3-6 months due to the similarity of the languages.
• Private Russian and international schools: In Budva and Tivat (especially in the Porto Montenegro area), there are schools teaching Russian or British (Cambridge) curricula. Tuition ranges from €500 to €1,500 per month.
• Sports: Water polo, basketball, and football are very popular. Most sports cost €30-40 per month.

6. Conclusion: Why You Shouldn't Postpone Your Relocation

In summary, it's safe to say that in 2026, Montenegro remains the most accessible, straightforward, and affordable entry point to Europe for Russian citizens. It's a unique region where high technology and modern legalization requirements coexist with traditional Balkan hospitality and a relaxed pace of life.

For many relocators, the choice of Podgorica, Budva, or Tivat is dictated not only by the ease of obtaining a Boravak card, but also by the quality of life itself:

• Safety and Peace of Mind: Low crime rates and a friendly attitude toward the Russian-speaking community create a psychological comfort that's hard to find in other EU countries today.
• Economic Flexibility: Low business taxes and the possibility of remote work allow you to not just spend your savings, but actively develop.
• Climate Bonus: Living between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea is an investment in your health and longevity.

Why Act Now?

Montenegro in 2026 is a rare chance to secure a seat on the "European train" at the same prices and rules. If you're looking for a place where you can feel at home while still connecting with the global world and European prospects, the Adriatic coast awaits you. Don't wait for the perfect moment; start gathering your documents today, so in just a few months you can be enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking the sea, confident in your future.

If you have any questions, please call +382 67 322 888, Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram.