Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa

In 2021, a state located on the Adriatic coast announced a freelancer visa, and after six months, it introduced the first amendments to the bill.

One is a national D visa valid for 12 months with no restrictions on entry/exit, and the other is a freelancer residence permit for 2 years with one possible extension for another couple of years, exempting holders from income tax payments.

For further residence in the territory after four years, nomads are required to take a six-month break, which legally makes obtaining permanent resident status impossible. Only holders of a residence permit (borvaka) with 5 years of residency, who have not left the country for 180 consecutive days, can apply for permanent residency. However, at the end of the 4-year period, “nomads” may change their residency basis in the country and become holders of a visa type that provides for permanent residency. This is possible through:

• purchasing property;
• registering a company;
• entering into an employment contract with a local company.

For Russians, the nomad visa is processed in the country. The diplomatic mission is located in Moscow. The official website is not operational, but the visa department accepts applications from citizens three days a week without an appointment. Nomads who have entered the country on a national visa can submit documents for a residence permit at the MUP at their place of registration.

Freelance Visa Specifics in Montenegro

In 2023, the country entered the top five for remote work. Besides its favorable climate and living standards (ranked 52nd among 186 countries), it attracts with affordable prices and friendliness towards foreigners. The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people working remotely using digital technologies and with companies outside of Montenegro. It includes the self-employed and entrepreneurs.

Support for non-resident entrepreneurs allows trouble-free registration of sole proprietorships or LLCs. For Russians with startup ideas, this is an opportunity to move to a warm country on a freelancer visa, choose a promising business direction in the field of information technology, and become a permanent resident. Along with the applicant, the residence permit is issued to a spouse/wife and children under 18, provided there is a monthly income of €310 per person.

Visa Cost

To obtain it, one must pay a consular fee equivalent to that of a long-term exit visa. The cost for an adult and a child is €65 and €32, respectively. The fee is paid in advance, and the receipt is attached to the application package.

What Taxes Are Paid in Montenegro?

Income tax for individuals is calculated at rates from 9-15%. People with salaries up to €700 per month are exempt from payment. Incomes from €701-1000 are taxed at 9%. High incomes are taxed at 15%.

The rate for the self-employed with an income of €8,400 – €12,000 is 9%. However, local municipalities may raise it to 13%. In the tourism and agricultural sectors, reductions to the minimum are possible. Entrepreneurs who open businesses in underdeveloped regions do not pay profit taxes for 8 years. The total amount of exemption does not exceed €200,000. The law does not apply to expat freelancers, who have not paid taxes since last year.

Required Documents and Requirements

Article 43 lists the full range of documents required for obtaining a digital nomad visa, with a requirement for translation in Montenegro by a court translator. Additional items for expat freelancers are indicated in the amendments:

• A foreign passport valid for the period of residence in the country and obtaining the visa;
• A contract for performing remote work using electronic gadgets;
• Proof of means of subsistence with a certificate from the workplace indicating a salary of at least €1350;
• An employer’s cover letter;
• An extract from the business registry;
• A bank account statement confirming income for the quarter and the remaining amount;
• A criminal record certificate no older than 6 months from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• A rental agreement and List nepokretnosti from the cadastre from the owner – €40;
• Receipts for payment of the borvaka duty – €42- €67;
• Medical insurance, issued in Montenegro for a month.

It can be purchased from SafetyWing for €45 per month. It covers emergency expenses for an adult and a child. For sole proprietors, an extract from the registry to confirm company registration and contracts with clients for providing services in a remote format is required. Local authorities accept documents only with wet seals. Russians do not need an apostille.

Recent Changes in Visa Matters in Montenegro

This year, there have been no amendments to the law for obtaining digital nomad visas and other types. Changes affected tourists. For trips, just a foreign passport and tickets are needed. For tourists and the host side, the requirement to register and pay a resort fee remains: €1 per day.

Statistics on the popularity of Digital Nomad Visa in Montenegro

Data from Google Trends and Yandex.Wordstat show consistently high demand for the Digital Nomad Visa program to Montenegro. The country remains popular for tourists and digital nomads alike.