Montenegro has officially overhauled its immigration laws, setting a new minimum taxable value for property-based residency and introducing stricter fiscal requirements for foreign business owners.
The amendments to the Law on Foreigners, which came into effect on January 17, 2026, aim to create a more structured and predictable pathway for international investors. By formalizing these rules, Montenegro is positioning its residency-by-investment options to align with its goal of joining the European Union by 2028.
The New Property Residency Threshold
For the first time, Montenegro has codified a minimum investment amount for third-country nationals seeking residency through real estate.
- Minimum Value: Properties must have a taxable value of at least €150,000, as determined by the Tax Authority.
- Conditions: Applicants must prove both ownership and actual use of the property. All property taxes must be settled.
- Rights: The permit is valid for one year (renewable) but does not allow the holder to seek employment or conduct business in the country.
- Grandfather Clause: Foreigners who obtained residency before the new law took effect are exempt from the €150,000 requirement for their renewals.
New Tax Obligations for Entrepreneurs
The reform also targets “inactive” companies. Foreign business owners who own more than 51% of a Montenegrin company must now meet a minimum fiscal threshold to renew their work and residence permits.
- Requirement: The company must have paid at least €5,000 in taxes and social contributions in the preceding year.
- Exemptions: This rule does not apply to citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, nor to those with permanent residency.
Strategic Shift After the Citizenship Program
This new residency route follows the closure of Montenegro’s popular Citizenship-by-Investment Program (CIP) in late 2022. While the previous program offered direct citizenship, the new property route focuses on temporary residency.
As Montenegro remains a frontrunner for EU accession, this €150,000 pathway offers a relatively affordable entry point into a nation that could soon become the EU’s newest member state. However, the standard path to citizenship still requires 10 years of continuous legal residence, and Montenegro does not currently recognize dual nationality.
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