The Montenegrin business immigration program stands out among its European counterparts with minimal requirements and a high probability of approval. And the chances of a positive decision increase when interacting with professionals. Our company takes care of the preparation of documents and business registration, saving you from having to understand the intricacies of Montenegrin legislation. Expertise in the field of migration law and many years of experience working with government agencies in Montenegro guarantee prompt obtaining of resident status without refusal.
A temporary residence permit (Privremeni boravak) is issued for 1 year with the possibility of unlimited extension. Montenegro does not impose requirements on the annual turnover of the company, the number of employees or the creation of jobs for citizens of the country. The only obligation is the monthly payment of a minimum wage of € 600 (starting in 2025) to the founder of the organization and timely filing of tax reports.
Montenegrin legislation does not restrict foreigners in their choice of field of activity. The most popular destinations among relocators are:
- Tourism and the hotel business are the most promising sectors of the country’s economy. Entrepreneurs are opening hotels, guest houses, and tour agencies.
- IT services and consulting are the best option for freelancers and remote workers.
- Trade and services – retail, restaurant business, car service stations.
- Real estate agencies.
- Agriculture (production of wine, meat delicacies, cheeses).
Montenegro’s tax system is considered one of the most loyal in Europe. The income tax is only 9%, compared to 13% in Russia and 20% in most EU countries. VAT is 21% (standard rate) and 7% (preferential for certain categories of goods).
For entrepreneurs doing business in the northern regions of the country, special benefits are provided – full exemption from income tax during the first 3 years of activity. It is important to note that Montenegro has concluded double taxation agreements with 45 countries, including Russia.
Financial advantages:
- The authorized capital of an LLC is from €1 (against €25,000 for a joint–stock company).
- Low administrative costs – company registration costs €8.
- The monthly cost of maintaining a residence permit is about 230€ (accounting services, taxes, bank fees).
- The official currency is the euro, which simplifies international payments.
- Lack of currency control.
- Simple reporting without mandatory auditing.
- The ability to work without a physical office for most activities.
- Access to European markets.
- The possibility of obtaining permanent residence after 5 years, and citizenship after 10 years.
Key requirements
Montenegro offers several organizational and legal forms for doing business. The most popular option among foreigners remains a limited liability company (DOO). Unlike joint-stock companies that require a minimum authorized capital of 25,000€, an LLC can be created with a nominal capital of only 1€.
The program works without the requirements of a business plan. The authorities do not analyze the economic feasibility of the project, they do not require the creation of jobs for the citizens of the country. It is enough to register an organization, become its executive director and own 51% of assets. This fundamentally distinguishes the Montenegrin system from many European countries, where investment programs involve a rigorous analysis of projects and their impact on the economy.
Business registration in Montenegro is carried out through the Central Registry of Commercial Organizations in Podgorica. The whole process takes from 4 to 15 business days. The foreigner needs to prepare the constituent documentation. All documents in a foreign language require a notarized translation into the official language.
Registration deadlines and taxes
Obtaining a residence permit after company registration takes from 10 to 40 days. The application is submitted to the territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You will first need to obtain a work permit from an Employment Agency, since the director is considered an employee. The total period from the start of registration of the organization to obtaining a residence permit is from 3 to 6 weeks.
Montenegro’s tax system is notable for its loyalty to small businesses. The corporate tax is 9% for an annual income of up to 100,000€. If this limit is exceeded, a progressive scale is applied: a fixed fee of € 9,000 plus 12% of the amount over €100,000. Companies operating in the northern regions of the country can receive a full exemption from income tax for up to 8 years.
The path to permanent residence and citizenship
A temporary residence permit is issued for 1 year with the right to annual renewal. After 5 years of continuous residence in the country, a foreigner can apply for a permanent residence permit. Continuity of stay means that the total period of absence in the country should not exceed 10 months for a five-year period or 6 consecutive months.
Obtaining citizenship becomes possible after 10 years of permanent residence in the country. The candidate must pass the A2 level Montenegrin language proficiency test and confirm that he has no criminal record. It is important to note that Montenegro does not recognize dual citizenship, so you will need to renounce your previous passport.
Immigration with family
Together with the main applicant, members of his family can receive a residence permit: a spouse, minor children and parents who are unable to work. Each family member submits a separate application for the family reunification program. The business owner must confirm the financial ability to support relatives at the rate of at least 3,650€ per year for each applicant. This amount must be in a bank account in a Montenegrin bank. Family members receive similar rights, including access to free education and medical care. Children have the right to study in public schools.
Attachments and the cost of registration
Next, we present the calculation of mandatory and related costs. It will help you estimate how much the “entrance ticket” really costs and further maintenance of the status. The authorized capital of LLC (DOO) is a symbolic 1€. The funds are transferred to the corporate account and can be used after registration.
One-time costs when starting a business
| Article | Amount | Comment |
| State registration fee | 10€ | +12€ for publication in the “Service Shee Sheet” |
| Notarization of constituent entdocuments | 31€ (2 signatures) – 300€ with a large prge package of papers | The final price dependspends on the number of pages |
| Production of branded printing | 20 – 50€ | Optional, but in practice it is made in most cast cases |
| Translations and and apostille | 50 – 200€ | For documents ists issued outside Montenegro |
| Account opening (bank commission) | 0 – 50€ | One-time fee or a free package of services is selected |
Mandatory monthly payments to a “sleeping” company
| Consumption | Amount | Comment |
| Director’s salary (minimum) | 600€ | Condition for extension of residence permit |
| Social security taxes + income tax on this amount | ≈ 115€ | 21.5% is deducted from the employee + 8.3% is paid by the compacompany |
| Accountinunting support | 75 – 100€ | – |
| Account maintenance / online banking | 5 – 15 – 10€ | Depends onds on the bank |
In addition to the costs associated with the registration of the company, it is necessary to take into account the following state duties and fees related to a residence permit:
- Application + work permit: 60€ application, 5€ form, 2€ administrative fee.
- Annual permit renewal: about 150€.
- Minimum personal account balance: 3,650€ per applicant.
- Rent of a legal address (if you do not have your own office) – 20-50€ per month;
- Translation and notarized copies of the diploma/criminal record certificates – 50-150€.
The final “price tag” of the first year will be at least 3,400€. At the same time, the amount does not include a deposit of 3,650 € and rental housing. These amounts remain in your personal account or are used for accommodation.
The registration process is step-by-step
- Assessment of opportunities. Analysis of the legal framework, comparison of sole proprietors (preduzetnik) and LLC (DOO), calculation of monthly expenses. The stage allows you to choose the form of business, taking into account the tax burden and the volume of reports.
- Preparation of a business plan. Montenegro does not require a formal business plan, but calculating the financial basis of future activities is desirable. A brief financial forecast is required, a choice of activity codes (Šifra djelatnost), and a calculation of turnover before entering VAT. With a reasoned plan, banks are more willing to open an account for the organization, and the Municipal Unitary Enterprise will coordinate the employment of the director faster.
- Company registration. Submission of the package to the Central Registry (CRPS). It is impossible to apply for a work permit without a registration certificate. Signed PDF documents are uploaded to the e-Firma portal. If desired, the process can be delegated by proxy. In this case, an in-person visit will be required only at the step of applying for a residence permit.
- Preparation of personal documents. The applicant’s dossier is being prepared. Translation and notarization of a passport, criminal record certificate, lease agreement, medical certificate. A medical certificate is made in an accredited laboratory. The lease agreement is registered with the tax service, otherwise the Municipal Unitary Enterprise will not accept it.
- Applying for a residence permit. Personal appeal to the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of residence. The applicant brings a full package of documents, submits biometrics and pays for receipts. Admission is only possible by appointment. The inspector checks the balance, the availability of money in the account and the availability of “white cardboard” (tourist registration at the place of residence). It is at this stage that all the processes are connected: work permit, residence permit and registration of an employment contract.
- Getting permission. After the SMS notification, you can receive a ready-made card. Issuing a plastic privremeni boravak. Signing of an employment contract within 24 hours after receiving the card.
Experienced lawyers are able to anticipate and eliminate possible problems, from notarial formulations to matching tax codes with the business profile. Our team is ready to cover the entire organizational cycle: from preparing a dossier and issuing a power of attorney to registering a company and obtaining a temporary residence permit. When the documents are placed on the desk of the inspector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the case has already been accurately prepared. The result is a resident’s card with minimal correction costs and time costs.
Your next step is to discuss the task and get an individual budget calculation. Our numbers are available in messengers, the consultation is free. It is easier to disassemble the parts now than to fix the failure later.
Risks and ways to minimize them
The program for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro through the opening of a company is considered one of the most transparent in Europe. However, even here there are pitfalls that can disrupt plans.
Documentary risks
- Incomplete submission of documents is the main reason for refusals. Inaccuracies in translation, lack of notarization, or an overdue criminal record certificate create technical obstacles. The level of document translation is particularly insidious.
- Applicants often neglect translator certification or use unofficial translations. The Migration Police strictly checks the correspondence of translated texts to the originals – the slightest discrepancy leads to a refusal.
- Violation of the migration regime before submitting an application. Exceeding the period of a tourist visa even by 1 day creates a barrier to obtaining the status. Our company’s consultants regularly encounter situations where clients lose time and money due to incorrect planning of their stay periods.
Financial risks
- The freezing of bank accounts is a problem for Russian citizens. Since 2022, Montenegrin banks have become more attentive to the origin of funds, especially for large transfers. In practice, there were cases when corporate accounts were blocked at the stage of obtaining a residence permit due to insufficient argumentation of income sources.
- The requirement to have an amount of 3,650euros in the account. The money must be in a Montenegrin bank and be “clean”, i.e. obtained legally with documentary evidence.
- The hidden costs of maintaining a business exceed the stated minimums. In addition to the mandatory salary of the director of 600 €, entrepreneurs face unscheduled costs: mandatory registration in the beneficial owners system (until March 31 of each year), possible fines for late submission of reports (up to 20,000€ for LLC), liability insurance.
Operational risks
- Cancellation of a residence permit for violating the conditions of stay in the country. The permissible absence is a maximum of 30 days per year without notifying the authorities. Exceeding this period automatically triggers the cancellation procedure.
- A non-operating company creates legal risks. Montenegro does not require active business activity. However, dormant organizations must comply with all formalities: submission of annual reports, timely registration of changes, and payment of minimal taxes. Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in fines and, in extreme cases, cancellation of the residence permit.
Step-by-step planning reduces stress and increases the chances of success. We have developed a checkpoint system that allows you to track progress and adjust your strategy on time. Our experience shows that most problems can be prevented at the planning stage. Investments in professional preparation of documents and legal support pay off many times – both with time and nerves.
Comparison of programs from different countries
Below is a comparative table of key parameters of programs for obtaining temporary residence permits in other European countries through business registration.
| Parameter | Portugal D2 | Hungary Business Registration | Serbia Unified Permit | Bulgaria Self-Employed |
| Legal form | Any company (new or existing) | Kft (equivalent to LLC) or JSC (equivalent to JSC) | Unified Permit based on employment in your own compaompny | Private entrepreneur (freelancer) or sole pole proprietor |
| Minimum caum capital/investment | Not established, there are enough reasonable business funds | 7,700€ authorized capital | No official capital required (based on an employment contract) | Not required, but you will need to cover the costs of the design plgn plan |
| BusiBusness plan | Required, analysis of economic aic nd social impact | Yes, a business plan to justify the activity | Optional, just an entry about the employment contract and the articles of association | Yes, the activity plan evaluates the economic and social impact |
| Review periperod | Up to 4 months (type D visa + requestues to AIMA) | 5-10 business days for registration + up to 6 months. for the whole process | 20-40 days for approval + renewal annually | 3-6 weeks. for a residence permit after a D visa |
| Duration of residence perm permit | Initially 2 years, extended fod fr 3 years | 1 year, extended dedonce for 2 years | 1 year, extended annually without limitation | 1 year, annual extension up to 3 years |
| Attendance requirements | 16 months. in Portugal in the first 2 yea yers | 90 days in the country in hain half a year | At least 183 days per year far or tax residence | Physical presence isce is not strictly regulated |
| Path to permanent residence/citizenship | Permanent residence after 5 years, citizenship after 6 years | Permanent residence permit and citizenship according to EU standard rules (5 year years) | Permanent residence permit after 5 years; citizenship 5 years after permanent entresidence | Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence permit; citizenship after 1 year of perf permanent residence |
| Family reunion | spouse and children | spouse and children | spouse and childrilden | spouse ande and children |
Journalist, editor with 9 years of experience in investment immigration. I specialize in analysis of residency and tax programs, as well as individual selection of jurisdictions for relocation.
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