Montenegro is a Baltic country that is located on the Adriatic Sea opposite the East Coast of Italy and close to Croatia and Serbia. While it might not be a tourist trap like some countries in Europe, its rich history dating back to the 12th century and beyond, quaint seaside towns, and ports and marinas full of luxury yachts and cruise liners make this small coastal country a relatively well-kept secret.

As more and more people choose to move to Montenegro through various government programs encouraging immigration, that will change. So, if you want to get a foot in the door before Montenegro becomes the hottest immigration hub in Europe, there’s never been a better time to do it.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look and Montenegro citizenship by investment program and how you can leverage your financial wealth to speed up the immigration process. There are several benefits to Montenegrin citizenship, aside from the ocean and the views. So, if you’re looking for somewhere that’s a little off the beaten track to call your new home, Montenegro might just fit the bill.

Montenegro Citizenship by Investment

Many countries in Europe and elsewhere have discovered that offering high net worth individuals so-called golden visas or citizenship by investment programs can inject a significant amount of money into their economy.

Not only do these investors purchase property or invest in a variety of funds, but if they choose to make the country their new home, they also contribute directly to the local economy.

For investors and people looking to take up second citizenship in another country, this is a fast-track way of getting ahead of the immigration process, which can be slow and tedious.

In the case of Montenegro, there are several ways that you could invest in the country to attain citizenship. Unlike some places where you first have to become a permanent resident, Montenegro allows you to skip that part of the process and go directly to citizenship. 

This not only cuts the immigration application itself down to a few months, but it also removes the requirement to be a resident for several years before you can apply for citizenship.

This means you could have a second passport that you can use to travel or apply for an E2 visa in the US within weeks. 

The citizens and government of Montenegro win because this program brings foreign money into the country, and people looking for an idyllic new countryside call home win because they get priority processing of their applications.

How to Get Montenegrin Citizenship

Generally, if you want to get citizenship in another country, there’s a long process involved in becoming a naturalized citizen.

First, you need to move to the country as a permanent resident. Then you would need to stay in the country for a certain number of years and meet all the immigration requirements for that period to be considered for citizenship application.

The citizenship application itself could take several months too more than a year to complete processing.

In the Montenegrin citizenship by investment program, the government has waived the permanent residence requirement for people who make the designated investment.

This does not mean that you skip the entire immigration process. The Montenegrin government still needs to make sure that you and your accompanying family are eligible for citizenship in their country.

This means you will need to complete a citizenship application, which will usually include:

• Original certified copies of your identity documents or passport
• Certified copies of birth certificates
• certified copies of marriage certificates
• original police clearance certificates from your home country and from any country you’ve lived in for more than six months after the age of 18 
• information about any time you spend serving in any military for your country
• to meet all the required security standards for the country
• And finally, you will need to make the required investment to meet the citizenship by investment program parameters

the government of Montenegro might ask you and your family to provide additional documentation. For instance, they might ask you to provide proof of where the funds you are investing have come from. 

They might also ask you for details of where you have lived in the preceding ten years.

Most of the information you must present to the government will be on the forms you complete when you apply; however, if immigration officials have any questions after the fact, they can request additional information. Always make sure that you comply with any requests as soon as possible because there are usually time limits on immigration requests. If you miss the window to reply to these kinds of requests, your application might be returned or rejected.

Investment Amount and CIP Fees

There are two parts to the investment required for Montenegro citizenship by investment.

Firstly, there is a nonrefundable 100,000-euro donation to the Montenegrin government. Everyone who applies will need to pay this amount before their application can be completed.

Next, you’ll need to invest in real estate in Montenegro. The value of the real estate you need to invest in depends on where you choose to purchase your property.

If you opt for the less desirable northern part of the country, the investment required is 250,000 euros.

If you choose to invest in the more desirable southern part of the country, the investment required is 450,000 euros.

In both cases, the government has a list of approved properties you can invest in. so you can’t simply choose to invest in any property you like. Currently, the list of properties that are approved for investment for this program is:

• Hotel Breza
• Durmitor Hotel and Villas
• Bianca Resort and Spa
• Bjelasica 1450
• Boka Place

However, this list may change from time to time, so it’s always advisable to check what is available When you choose to make your application.

Processing time

Provided all the necessary documentation is present and correct when you submit your application, I provided all your investment Information checks out; the processing time for the Montenegro citizenship by investment program is between three to six months.

Remember that if the government has to request any additional information from you, and if there is any delay in submitting that information, your application time will be affected.

So, make sure your application is completed correctly before submitting it, and if there are any questions, answer them as promptly as possible.

Benefits of Montenegrin Citizenship

Montenegro might not be the best-known European country, but some would argue that that’s part of its charm. Better known and more visited countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, are significantly more expensive to live in. well known European countries that do have immigration by investment programs also tend to require a more significant investment. Very few offer a straight to citizenship option like Montenegro.

But it’s not just the immigration possibilities, and the cost of living that makes Montenegro an attractive place to put down roots. Let’s take a closer look and some of the other benefits of living in Montenegro.

Lifestyle

Like Croatia to the north, Montenegro is a rocky Oceanside country that offers a similar lifestyle to what you might expect in Italy across the Adriatic.

Think medieval towns perched on cliffs overlooking the water and marinas packed with luxury yachts. Think lazy lunches and delicious dinners at full-character restaurants overlooking the ocean.

Or walks up cobbled lanes between houses that have been standing for hundreds of years.

Montenegro has a rich history that spans many centuries, and in many parts of the country, you will be living amongst that history. Add a warmer Mediterranean-style southern European climate and a love of delicious food and wine, and you can see why so many people are choosing to make Montenegro their home.

It’s not only the favourite for businesspeople, but it’s also a great place to retire or to move your family.

The country itself is quite stable and has good infrastructure, so it’s a safe, secure, and well-serviced place for families to call home. Not to mention that it’s only a short hop to most of the big destinations in Europe – and as you will see, living here offers some visa-free travel advantages too.

Powerful Passport

Citizens of Montenegro enjoy a very powerful passport in that they are eligible for visa-free travel to over 120 countries, including many in Europe. You can also visit most of the countries in South America on a Montenegrin passport without requiring a visa. Many other countries that do require a visa also allow people travelling on a Montenegrin passport to apply on arrival. which cuts down your pre-travel administration quite a lot

In fact, Montenegro is quite advanced in the process of becoming part of the European Union. Once that happens, there’s a highlight clear that this country will become even more in demand, so if you’re thinking of making a move sooner would be better than later. 

Finally, Montenegro has an E2 visa treaty with the United States. This means that citizens of Montenegro who intend to open a business or to work in a company that they are partial owners of in the United States can apply for a special long-stay visa in that country. They can also take their family members along with them. So, you could say that becoming a Montenegrin citizen is a steppingstone to living and working in the United States if you should choose to do so.

Tax Advantages

Montenegro is not what you would call a traditional tax haven. Citizens and residents of the country do still pay income tax; however, for most people and even most corporations, the tax rate in Montenegro is only 9 to 11% of your earnings. This is significantly lower than most other countries in Europe and worldwide. 

Even temporary residents of Montenegro can become a tax resident after spending 183 days of any year in the country. But it’s much easier to arrange your tax affairs if you are a citizen of Montenegro. Just remember that some countries will continue to require you to pay taxes regardless of where you hold additional citizenship, so be sure to check the tax regulations in your home country as well.

Program Requirements

It’s important to note that the Montenegrin government has put a cap of 2000 applicants on the citizenship by investment program. It also only runs until December 2022, or whichever of those events happens first.

This means if you miss the window of opportunity to become a citizen of Montenegro, you might not get the chance again.

Program requirements for citizenship by investment in Montenegro are relatively straightforward. You and any accompanying family members must meet the immigration requirements for the country, and you must make both parts of the required investment.

Provided you do that, and all of your documentation checks out, you will be on your way to having a Montenegrin passport.

Required Documents

As mentioned before, to apply for Montenegrin citizenship by investment, you will need to meet the immigration requirements for the country. So, you will need to provide proof of your identity, details about where you live, information about how you make your money, and paperwork that proves that you’re not a criminal or security risk to the country.

Each of your accompanying family members will also need to provide similar documentation; however, children under the age of 18 are not required to provide police clearances.

The documentation and information requirements for the immigration process are clearly set out on the immigration forms. Be sure to note whether they’re requesting an original or whether a certified or notarized copy is acceptable. Also, take notice of any timing requirements. For instance, police clearance certificates are usually only valid for a certain number of months from when they are issued.

It’s always a good idea to ensure that you have a complete copy of your documents before you send them off. This allows you to cross-reference any questions should they come.

Finally, make sure that you pay careful attention to the submission requirements for your application package. There will usually be an address that you need to send your documentation to and information about the fees that need to be paid and how they can be paid. Note that the investment amount stated here does not include the application fees themselves. They also do not include any costs you may incur to have an attorney or consultant complete your application on your behalf. 

Dual Citizenship

Montenegro does not automatically allow people to have dual citizenship. This means that unless Montenegro has a dual citizenship agreement with your country, you cannot retain your primary citizenship and become a citizen of Montenegro.

If your country is not one of those with a dual citizenship agreement with Montenegro, you will need to go through a process known as renunciation, where you give up your former citizenship.

However, it’s important to note that many countries allow you to regain your citizenship after you’ve given it up. So, it’s worth checking what your country’s policy is before you make this decision. You might well be able to change your mind at a later stage regardless.

FAQ

How many people live in Montenegro?

Montenegro is actually a very small country, and there are only about 622,000 people that call at home. This means but you’re very unlikely to find anywhere much too crowded.

What is the capital city of Montenegro?

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro.

What languages are spoken in Montenegro?

The official language of Montenegro is Montenegrin, and many people also speak Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian. English is not widely spoken, especially outside of big cities, so you will need to learn the language if you plan to make a home here.

What kind of activities can I do in Montenegro?

Montenegro is a very outdoorsy kind of country. Near the ocean, you will find people enjoying boating and watersports, while in the interior, you will find many people hiking, climbing and mountaineering. There are also many caves to be explored, and many of the rivers are sought after for white water rafting.

Can you ski in Montenegro?

Yes. Even though Montenegro has a milder Mediterranean-style climate, there is snow in the winter, and there are ski centres in the mountains. So, if you like to get out on the slopes, you will find many options here.

What is the food like in Montenegro?

Montenegro’s food is a mixture of traditional Balkan-style dishes, Italian-style food, and a touch of Turkish and Middle Eastern. So, there’s a wide variety of dishes and options available. Of course, you can also find many western chain restaurants in Montenegro, so if you’re not feeling adventurous, there is something familiar and comforting on offer too.

What are the roads like in Montenegro?

The roads in Montenegro are generally in good repair. However, they have been around for quite a long time. This means they are considerably narrower than you might expect to find in a completely modern city. This also means that most of the cars and vehicles on the road are smaller than you might find elsewhere. So don’t expect to buy an American-style pickup truck here.

What is the cost of living like in Montenegro?

Montenegro is still very much a hidden gem in Europe. It sees a fair amount of tourism but nothing near some other countries in the area. This means an influx of foreign money hasn’t yet pushed the prices up. This means the cost of living in Montenegro is still relatively low by European standards, which is just another reason why it’s so attractive to ex-pats looking for somewhere new to call home.

What is healthcare like in Montenegro?

Health care is often a big issue for people who are moving to a new country; the good news is that in Montenegro, there is a socialized health system that covers approximately 95% of the people that live in the country. As a citizen of Montenegro, you will also have access to the system. While it is not quite up to the standard you might expect in Western Europe, if you don’t have complex health conditions, you should find it more than adequate.

What is education like in Montenegro?

Montenegro has a very well-developed education system at all levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary. The country has a 98% literacy rate, which puts it 55th in the world, and it is relatively easy for citizens of Montenegro to study in other countries in Europe. So you and your children would have access to a much broader education network.

What drives the Montenegrin economy?

The Montenegrin economy is relatively small, as it is a small country. Most of the country’s revenue comes from food production, oil and natural gas, industrial products, clothing and lately, tourism.