Updated on October 24, 2024

Montenegro Citizenship

travelling to the Schengen countries and living by the seaside

€472,000

Investment amount

6 months

Obtainment period

Government-approved

Investment program

In July 2018, the government of Montenegro announced the launch of the country’s citizenship by investment program. The first applications for obtaining Montenegrin passports by investment were accepted in January 2019.

Investors pass Due Diligence, make a non-refundable contribution to a government fund, and buy a share in a government-approved real estate project — a resort or hotel. In return, the applicants and their family members get Montenegro citizenship.

Investors don’t have to take language proficiency tests and history, and they do not have to live in Montenegro.

Montenegro citizenship program was closed in January 2023

We recommend considering Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

Benefits of Montenegro citizenship

  • 1

    Visa-free travel to the Schengen area, UAE and Singapore

    Montenegro citizens travel to 123 countries visa-free. They can spend up to 90 days in half a year in a Schengen country. However, starting from May 2023, entry to the Schengen area is only possible with a special permit got through the ETIAS system.

  • 2

    Moving to Montenegro or creating a “safe haven”

    Montenegro passport holders can visit the country at any time, even if its borders are closed. They can stay or live in Montenegro permanently. In contrast, tourists from most countries can stay in Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 consecutive days.

  • 3

    Getting an E‑2 business visa to the USA

    Montenegro citizens can apply for an E‑2 visa, which allows them to live and work in the USA. Applicants need to establish or buy a business in the United States. The investment amount usually starts at $100,000.

  • 4

    Tax optimisation

    Individuals pay the income tax at the rate of 9% in Montenegro.

Who can get Montenegro citizenship

  • Investor

    • Over 18 years old

    • No criminal record or prosecution

    • Passed Due Diligence

    • Capable of confirming the legality of the income

  • Spouse

    Including same-sex couples

  • Children under 18

  • Children over 18

    Financially dependent on the investor

Investment options for Montenegro citizenship

1 option

€472,000+

The investor fulfils two financial conditions: makes a non-refundable contribution of €200,000 in a specially created state fund and buys a share in a real estate project worth €250,000.

The real estate project must be government-approved and located in the northern or central part of Montenegro, except the capital city of Podgorica. The list of qualifying projects includes resort complexes and hotels.

Investor

Married couple

Family of 4

Family of 5 or more

Non-refundable contribution

€200,000

€200,000

€200,000

€200,000

Real estate investment

€250,000

€250,000

€250,000

€250,000

Due Diligence

€7,000

€10,000

€10,000

€10,000
For a family of up to 4 people

€1,500
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th

Administrative fee

€15,000

€15,000
For the investor

€10,000
For the spouse

€25,000
For the spouses

€10,000
For each of the remaining 2 family members

€15,000
For the investor

€10,000
For each of the other 3 family members

€50,000
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th

2 option

€672,000+

If the investor buys a share in a real estate project located in the capital or by the seaside, the minimum cost for the property is €450,000. The rest of the financial conditions remain the same.

Investor

Married couple

Family of 4

Family of 5 or more

Real estate investment

€450,000

€450,000

€450,000

€450,000

Non-refundable contribution

€200,000

€200,000

€200,000

€200,000

Due Diligence

€7,000

€10,000

€10,000

€10,000
For a family of up to 4 people

€1,500
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th

Administrative fee

€15,000

€15,000
For the investor

€10,000
For the spouse

€25,000
For the spouses

€10,000
For each of the remaining 2 family members

€15,000
For the investor

€10,000
For each of the other 3 family members

€50,000
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Montenegro citizenship

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer conducts almost the same Due Diligence check as the government CBI units. The preliminary check allows lawyers to identify any potential red flags and reduce the risk of a citizenship application being rejected to 1%.

The preliminary Due Diligence at Immigrant Invest is mandatory and conducted before signing an agreement with the investor. If we discover any risks, the lawyers propose a solution: for example, to participate in another program or attach additional documents to the application.

The preliminary Due Diligence is confidential. You won’t need many documents — the passport is enough.

Take a quick test and find out the obstacles in obtaining second citizenship.

Evaluate chances
2

1—2 days

Remote selection of a real estate project

Immigrant Invest’s Real Estate Department selects several projects from the list of government-approved properties.

The investor chooses a project and concludes a purchase agreement on a project’s share.

3

At least 2 weeks

Collection of documents and opening a bank account

The investor gets a list of documents that must be attached to the application for Montenegro citizenship. Immigrant Investor’s lawyers fill out the government forms and translate and notarize the documents.

Immigrant Invest opens two escrow accounts in Montenegro for the investor. One account is for making a non-refundable contribution, and the second is for buying a share in the real estate project.

The collection of the documents and the opening of bank accounts coincide with selecting a suitable property.

4

7 days

Payment of fees and making investments

The investor transfers €200,000 to the escrow account of the state fund and €250,000 or €450,000 to the escrow account of the real estate developer. The bank releases the payments only after the application for Montenegro citizenship is approved. Otherwise, the money is returned to the investor.

The investor also pays Due Diligence and administrative fees. The fees are not refundable, and the exact amount depends on the number of applicants.

5

3 months

Application submission and approval

The lawyers submit the investor’s application with the required documents, including proof of payments. The CBI unit processes the application within three months.

The CBI unit notifies Immigrant Invest of the application pre-approval. The bank transfers the money from the investor’s escrow accounts to the fund and developer’s settlement accounts. After that, the CBI unit gives its final approval and invites the applicants for fingerprinting.

6

1—2 days

Obtaining passports

The investor and their family come to Montenegro and submit their fingerprints. The lawyers book an appointment for fingerprinting in advance.

Passports are issued 24 hours after fingerprinting. The investor and their family members collect the passports in person.

7

1 week

Passport renewal

Montenegrin passports are valid for 10 years and renewed according to the standard procedure. The investor and their family members come to Montenegro and pay the government fee of €35 for each passport renewal.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs accepts applications for passport renewals.

Case studies

Citizenship and Immigrant Invest stay with you

Montenegrin passports need to be regularly renewed. Over time, other needs may also arise: getting a passport for a newborn child or becoming a tax resident. See how Immigrant Invest can help you.

  • Passport renewal

    Our lawyers help investors renew their Montenegrin passports every 10 years.

  • Selecting real estate

    We help our clients choose a finished apartment or buy a property under construction and follow up on the deal.

  • Getting citizenship for children

    We help a newborn child obtain citizenship if at least one parent is a Montenegrin citizen.

  • Registration of tax residency

    We help obtain a tax number if the investor spends more than 183 days a year in Montenegro.

  • Replacement of the passport in case of its loss

    We prepare an application for a passport replacement and keep an eye on it until you receive a new one.

  • Opening a bank account

    We prepare the required documents and fill out the forms.

Schedule a meeting

Let's discuss the details

Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Who can obtain Montenegro citizenship by investment?

    Investors over 18 years old can obtain citizenship by investment if they have:

    • passed the government’s Due Diligence check;

    • no criminal record;

    • a proven legal income source outside Montenegro.

    The investor’s spouse, including same-sex partners, can also participate in the Montenegro citizenship by investment program.

    The investor’s children under 18 and financially dependent children over 18 can also be included in the application.

  • How much to invest in getting Montenegro citizenship?

    The investor needs to fulfil two financial conditions: make a non-refundable contribution of €200,000 to the state fund and buy a share in a government-approved real estate project, usually resort complexes or hotels.

    If the real estate project is located in the north of the country, the minimum investment is €250,000, and if it is in the coastal region or capital, the minimum investment is €450,000.

    The investor also pays Due Diligence and administrative fees. The exact amount of expenses depends on the number of applicants.

  • Is it possible to return the invested money?

    The contribution to the state fund of €200,000 is non-refundable. However, the property share can be subsequently sold, and the money returned to the investor.

    The Due Diligence and administration fees are non-refundable.

  • How can I be sure that I will get Montenegro citizenship?

    No one can guarantee that you will obtain citizenship by investment. Moreover, if a company claims a 100% guarantee, you probably deal with scammers.

    Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence to reduce rejection risks to 1%. Investor’s documents are checked by a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer who knows the nuances of Due Diligence in different countries. If any issues are revealed, we search for a solution: add specific documents or offer another program.

  • What duties arise after obtaining Montenegro citizenship?

    Investors are not obliged to live in Montenegro and pass a language proficiency test or a history exam. The main obligation is not to violate Montenegro’s laws and renew the passport every 10 years.

    It is also essential to remember that Montenegro does not usually allow second or multiple citizenships. However, the government has made an exception for investors who participate in the country’s CBI program.

Articles and news on Montenegro citizenship

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Let’s discuss the details

We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.

Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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