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Montenegro Business Residence Permit Through Your Own Company
Temporary residence for the owner and director of a Montenegrin company. No business plan or turnover requirements, renewal every year and a path to permanent residence after 5 years.
Montenegro is one of the most straightforward countries for a business residence permit. A foreigner registers a company, usually a DOO (a limited liability company), holds a controlling stake, is appointed its director and pays themselves a salary. The share capital can be nominal, and no business plan or job creation is required. To get a Montenegro business residence permit, you also need a balance on a personal account at a Montenegrin bank to cover living costs: €3,650 according to the latest figures.
The permit is issued for one year and renewed every year as long as the company files its reports, pays taxes and pays the director's salary. After 5 years of residence you can apply for permanent residence. Keep the ongoing costs in mind: an accountant, payroll taxes and bank fees. We work out this budget before you start, so there are no surprises.
Who it is for
- Entrepreneurs and freelancers who need a residence permit that allows them to work in the country
- People who want to live in Montenegro long term and obtain permanent residence
- Remote workers who fall short of the digital nomad visa income threshold
- Families: a spouse and minor children get residence permits through family reunification
Requirements
- A company registered in Montenegro, usually a DOO
- A controlling stake in the company and the position of director
- A monthly salary for the director at or above the set minimum, with taxes paid on it
- A balance on a personal account at a Montenegrin bank: €3,650 according to the latest figures
- Housing in Montenegro: a lease or your own property
- No criminal record and no immigration violations
What we do
- Choose the business form and activity codes and calculate your monthly costs
- Register the company, including remotely by power of attorney
- Help open accounts, get a tax number and find an accountant
- Prepare your personal documents: translations, certification and certificates
- File the residence permit application with the Ministry of the Interior and support you until you receive the card
- Arrange residence permits for your family and handle the annual renewal
Key documents
- Passport
- Founding documents and an extract from the business register
- The director's employment contract with the company
- Criminal record certificate with a translation
- Statement of funds on your personal account at a Montenegrin bank
- A properly registered lease agreement
- Medical certificate or health insurance
- Marriage and birth certificates for family reunification
How it works
- Planningchoosing the business form and activity codes, and a budget for the year
- Company registrationfiling with the Central Register and getting a tax number; usually from a few days to two or three weeks
- Accounts and documentscorporate and personal accounts, lease, translations and certificates
- Residence applicationat the local Ministry of the Interior office, with biometrics
- Card and familycollecting the card, the director's employment contract, then family reunification
- Renewalevery year, provided reports are filed and the salary is paid
Timeline
Company registration usually takes from a few days to two or three weeks; the residence permit is then issued for one year and renewed annually.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Banks check the origin of funds carefully, so opening an account can take a while
- Missing reports or the director's salary puts your renewal at risk
- Long absences from Montenegro can be grounds for revoking the permit
- Inaccurate translations and an improperly registered lease are common reasons for refusal
- The company's monthly costs continue for the whole period, even with no turnover
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $4,900. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Do I need to run a real business to get a Montenegro business residence permit?
There are no turnover or profit requirements. But the company has to meet its obligations: pay the director a salary, file reports, pay taxes and keep its account open. If any of these slip, renewing the permit will be difficult.
How much money do I need to start?
The share capital of a DOO can be nominal. The main amounts are the personal account balance (€3,650 according to the latest figures), registration, translations, rent, an accountant and taxes on the director's salary. We calculate your first-year budget during the consultation.
Can I register the company remotely?
Yes, registration can be done by power of attorney without traveling to Montenegro. To apply for the residence permit, give biometrics and collect the card, though, you have to be in the country in person.
Can my family move with me?
Yes. A spouse and minor children apply for residence through family reunification after the main applicant receives the card. You need to show funds for everyone and the housing where the family will live.
When can I get permanent residence and citizenship?
Permanent residence comes after 5 years of continuous residence on a temporary permit, without long absences. Citizenship comes later, subject to residence and language requirements. Bear in mind that Montenegro, as a rule, does not allow dual citizenship.
How is this different from the digital nomad visa?
Residence through a company lets you work in Montenegro and counts toward permanent residence, but it comes with ongoing company costs. The digital nomad visa is cheaper to maintain, but it is built around income from abroad and does not lead to permanent residence. We compare both options for your situation.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
