Temporary residence permits

Grounds for a permit

• Work (combined residence and work permit)
• Work as an entrepreneur or executive director of your own company
• Family reunification
• Ownership of real estate
• Study, exchange programmes, training, research
• Digital nomads
• Medical treatment, humanitarian reasons, religious service, European Voluntary Service

General conditions

• Enough money to support yourself.
• Accommodation (for example property ownership or a lease).
• Health insurance.
• Passport valid at least 3 months longer than the permit.
• No entry ban and no prison sentence over 6 months in Montenegro or your home country.
• Proof of the purpose (contract, company documents, marriage certificate, enrolment and so on).

How to apply

Apply in person at the Ministry of Interior office for your place of residence; your photo and fingerprints are taken. Electronic applications through the Ministry system are also possible.

If you submit a complete application before your 90 days end, you may stay in Montenegro until the decision.

The decision is due within 40 days. A permit is valid up to 1 year. Apply for an extension 60 to 30 days before it expires. The permit ends if you stay abroad for more than 30 days.

Work

For employment you get a combined residence and work permit (dozvola za privremeni boravak i rad). It is valid up to 1 year and can be extended to a total of 2 years with a full-time contract.

The government sets a yearly quota of work permits. The employer must sign the contract and register the worker for social insurance within 24 hours after the permit is issued.

Own company

Entrepreneurs, and executive directors of companies in which they are the only owner or own more than 51% of the capital, can get a permit. To extend it, the company must show taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 per year. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland are exempt from this rule.

Real estate

Owning property in Montenegro is still a ground for temporary residence. Since the 2026 amendments you must prove that the property is worth at least EUR 150,000 (the tax base in the property transfer tax decision). A co-owner must own at least half.

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need to prove the value. Permits issued before the change are extended under the old rules.

Family reunification

Spouses, minor children, parents of minor children and same-sex life partners of a Montenegrin citizen or of a foreigner with residence can get a permit. If the sponsor is a Montenegrin citizen, you do not need to prove your means of support.

Digital nomads

Remote workers employed by a foreign company, or who own a company registered abroad, can get a digital nomad permit for up to 2 years, extendable by 2 more years. A spouse and minor children can join.

You need a work contract or other proof of remote work, proof that the company is registered abroad and health insurance. The Ministry sets the detailed conditions by regulation.

A long-stay (D) visa can be issued to a digital nomad. You need proof of remote work and health insurance.

Overstay

If you stay longer than allowed, the fine is EUR 200 to 1,200. The police impose an entry and stay ban of 90 days to 5 years in the return decision. They do not impose it in justified humanitarian cases, if you give proof.