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At the end of 2021, the state of the Balkan Peninsula announced the opening of a visa for digital nomads. The documents of the relocators of Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova of Montenegro began to be accepted only in December 2022. This category includes IT specialists, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed who plan to work remotely. The general program requirement for applicants was the requirement for monthly income of at least 1,350€.
Applicants must confirm that they are enrolled in the staff of foreign companies or receive income from foreign sources for the implementation of projects and entrepreneurial activities. The residence permit of a digital nomad is issued for 2 years with the possibility of extension for the same period after a break. The authorities consider the type of visa to be non-immigration, and it does not imply the registration of citizenship in the future. To obtain permanent status, nomads can change their category and apply for passports after naturalization.
Features of Digital Nomad Montenegro Visa
The authorities believe that cosmopolitanism, which does not recognize political and cultural boundaries, will be the key to the prosperity and digitalization of the country. They set a course to launch a platform for public services and digital services. To implement ideas, foreign investments in the economy and borrowed experience are needed. Following the example of neighboring countries, they opened a program for relocators and relied on nomads – specialists working remotely with digital telecommunications, wealthy people of liberal professions, sole proprietors. When creating it, they relied on the projects Remote Work Visa, Location-independent visa, and the law on foreigners.
It was approved in 2014 and published as No. 56 in the Bulletin of Montenegro. Chapters 11-17 are devoted to entry, conditions of stay and movement. Citizens of foreign countries can apply for single/ multiple types, stay in 90/ 80 days. In special cases, foreigners are issued permits for up to 3 years. After the deadline, they are required to leave and return to the country in 6 months with new stickers in their passports.
In 2024, the authorities note an active flow of nomads from third countries. Many people are considering a location for permanent residence. After 2 years, applicants can leave for their homeland and reapply after 6 months for another 24 months. Many expats are going to change their residency statuses and apply for indefinite permanent residence. They are endowed with social and civil rights, except for participation in elections.
After 5 years, those who wish can submit a dossier for citizenship and, upon receipt, give up the first one. There is no law on dual status in Montenegro. In total, the registration takes 10 years. A year ago, before the amendments were made, the naturalization period reached 15 years.
What is the difference from a regular residence permit
Both permits allow foreigners to legalize, live and work in the territory, and claim social benefits. They are issued depending on the purpose of trips and prospects. The usual ones differ in categories, conditions of receipt and terms. Applicants for permanent residence permits apply for permits at home on one of 13 grounds. Main:
- work contracts;
- admission to study;
- invitations from relatives/ officials;
- marriage;
- intra-corporate transfers.
Expats enter Montenegro and issue plastic resident cards, after naturalization they apply for permanent residence and citizenship. Freelancers, IT specialists, sole proprietors from third countries with the intention to legalize through Nomad Visa receive category D for 180 days. Upon arrival, privremeni boravak is opened for 2-4 years with a break of 6 months. By default, a visa for nomads does not imply permanent residence, work in local companies, or conducting business on the territory.
Taxes
Foreigners who have lived in the territory for 183 days, have family/ economic interests and work on contractual terms are recognized as fiscal residents. The amounts and insurance premiums depend on the type of activity. Self-employed and non-resident entrepreneurs are subject to interest. Personal income tax (Porez na dohodak fizičkih lica) is calculated on an annual income scale. The tax is 9-15 %. For more information, see Articles 9, 20-21, 32-32a of the Law. By European standards, the rates are considered low.
The transition to permanent residence clarifies the situation with double taxation on royalties, passive and active income. This applies to citizens from countries that have concluded mutual agreements with Montenegro. Freelancers and nomads who make profits at home are exempt from paying income tax and submitting accounting statements.
Conditions for obtaining a freelancer visa
There are separate requirements for nomads. They must meet the eligibility criteria and be able to prove:
- financial viability;
- regular profit in the amount of 1,350€, corresponding to 3 average Montenegrin salaries;
- qualifications, work experience in the profession for at least 3 months;
- work in other registered company, or the availability of service contracts for the provision of services;
- lack of criminal records and open cases in court proceedings with a certificate from the consulate;
- availability of housing for the duration of your stay.
Moving with your family
Only applicants are eligible for a nomad visa. Spouses and family members are given a residence permit for reunification for a year in the MUP on the basis of the husband/ wife's (boravak) cards. They are required to contribute additional funds in the amount of 310€ per person, confirm their consent to provide families with sponsorship letters. Parents are required to provide copies of marriage certificates, white cardboard, documents for children, and insurance for the duration of their stay.
Financially dependent close relatives can also apply for Montenegrin cards. To extend the deadline for another year, a month before the end, they submit a request at their place of residence, undergo a simplified verification procedure.
Required documents
In paragraph 43 of the Law on foreigners, a list of documents for a residence permit is published. After the amendments were made in 2022, an additional one was added for nomads. It includes:
- passport and scans of all pages with a margin of at least 2,5 years;
- downloaded from the website and completed application;
- tourist registration;
- for a specialist – the letter of the head of the consent to leave;
- an agreement with a foreign employer for 5 years;
- a medical policy issued in Montenegro;
- a certificate of regular income;
- a diploma and work experience in the specialty;
- proof of the movement of funds in the previous year or a deposit of 16,250€;
- an original from the legal register of the employer's registration;
- an extract from the USRIP or OGRN, notarized copies for sole proprietors, business founders;
- receipts for payment of state duty and tourist tax;
- apartment rental agreement indicating all members, plus separate copies for each for 1-2 years, depending on the city;
- the original of the non-secrecy sheet from the owner of the housing and copies for all applicants.
Step-by-step action plan
The scheme for obtaining a nomad visa consists of sequential steps.
They register at the police station as tourists. A fee of 1€ is paid until the documents are submitted.
They are looking for court interpreters on the government's website, in Viber and telegram chats to prepare certificates. The list of accredited specialists is constantly updated. You can get a notarized translation on the website.
They undergo fingerprinting and hand over documents on a first-come, first-served basis in a quarter of an hour.
Stamped papers allow you to legally reside in the territory until you receive a nomad visa.
The period of consideration of the dossier takes 40-60 days (art. 62). You can track the status of applications in the chat or in the table. If they refuse, expats submit them again. After another rejection, appeals are allowed within 8 days.
Cost
The most expensive item is transfers. The price per page varies between 15-20. The package of documents costs 500€. To this amount, you need to add 67€ for the fee, the price of health insurance of Montenegrin companies (Uniqa or SafetyWing) in the amount of 30-45 €. Money is accepted in cash at post offices and banks. Cashiers enter the current accounts themselves and fill in the boxes. You can also pay with credit and debit cards.
What should I do after getting a visa?
On the appointed day, applicants come for confirmation or rejection. If the eligibility criteria are met, the applications are immediately signed. If there is not enough information, the staff is asked to bring it within a week. Upon approval of the dossier, temporary privremeni boravak are issued. They contain personal data, identification coats of arms (IIN) assigned after the entry of foreigners' passports into the migration registration database. Borawaks open the way to banks, transfers, accounts, e-ticket purchases and more. Card holders immediately submit packages of papers for family reunification.
Advantages and disadvantages of the program
The visa project is an outlet for those who want to get acquainted with culture, to live in a resort sparsely populated country on the Adriatic coast. For foreigners, choosing a migration route has become a priority:
- low crime;
- affordable prices;
- friendliness of Montenegrins;
- tax exemption;
- access to Italy, Greece and Slovenia;
- no blocking of fintechs and other services with innovative technologies.
Nomads more often settle in Podgorica, Kotor, Tivat, Budva. It is easier to find professional and online communities for networking, socialization, and work space here. Nomads are familiar with the coworking sites Mtel Digitalna Fabrika, Kotor Nest Coliving, ITbranch.house, AdriaHub, Sedam Petaka Coworking. Users note the presence of a comfortable environment with high-speed Internet, conference rooms for work and exchange of experience.
When moving, many choose between Montenegro, Croatia and Hungary. The last two countries are members of the EU. The conditions for obtaining a Croatian temporary residence do not differ from Montenegrin ones. They are issued to freelancers with monthly earnings from 2,870€ for 12 months and after a six-month break they give out new ones. Hungarians offer White cards to relocants with incomes from 3,000€ for 12 months with the possibility of prolongation for the same period. The period of stay at the residences of nomads in the listed countries is not counted in the migration experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the country, free medical care services are included in the compulsory medical insurance (CHI) system. Citizens and foreigners with the right to a residence permit or permanent residence can receive it, subject to registration of a medical card (health book). Children under the age of 18 and adults over the age of 65 can receive dental care, but only in a number of clinics.
There are several types of legal structures in Montenegro:
1. Limited Liability Company (LLC). The minimum authorized capital is from 1€, the number of founders is from 1 to 30.
2. Joint Stock Company (JSC). The minimum authorized capital is from € 25,000, the number of founders is unlimited.
3. Limited Partnership (CD). There is no minimum authorized capital. The structure of an organization can include both full comrades (with full responsibility) and commandeers who are responsible only for their contributions.
4. Partnership. There is no minimum share capital. It is organized by 2 or more partners based on the responsibility and obligations of the partnership.
5. Private entrepreneur. There is no minimum share capital. An individual form of doing business.
The Republic provides for the following rates of value added tax:
- Standard. 21%. The rate applied to most goods and services that are taxed as part of a business activity.
- Reduced rate. 7%. Applicable to certain categories of goods and services (medicine, food, books, public transport).
- Zero rate. Export of goods and services. VAT is mandatory for organizations with a turnover of more than 18,000euros for the previous financial year.
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Greetings. If I travel to Montenegro on a nomad visa, can I receive any social assistance in the country?
Dora Jankavicius, In Montenegro, the social security regime for nomads does not have a clearly established system, as in some other countries, but there are certain boundaries. Freelancers must have private health insurance covering the relevant risks. That is, the remoter must provide himself with medical help. Remote workers do not have access to local benefits or pensions, because they do not make contributions to the social security system.
Does anyone have any experience of renting a car in Montenegro? Is it expensive and how safe is it?
Maxim Belkin, RRenting a car in Montenegro will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than in most European countries. A large number of small companies provide services here. Among the proven companies and services, it is worth highlighting Local Rent, Auto Travel, Surprise, Green Motion, Hertz and Sixt.
The cost of renting a car in Montenegro starts from 25-30 € per day for small cars and from 60€ for crossovers and SUVs, depending on the season and type of car. For long-term rentals, prices are usually lower.
In addition to the basic cost, additional costs may arise. The deposit usually ranges from 100 to 1000 €, CTP is usually included in the rental price, additional insurance (CASCO) can cost from 5 to 20€ per day. You can also order a car delivery (from 30 € per day), a child seat from 20€ for the entire rental period. In some cases, a mileage limit is set, after exceeding which an additional fee is charged.
Maxim Belkin, It seemed to me, is not worth it. But with a car, of course, you can see more beautiful places.
Tell me, how safe is it in Montenegro? I want to move with my family, but I'm worried about the safety of the children.
Zlata Cvetković, Montenegro is considered a safe country for both solo and family travel. The crime rate among local residents is very low, and the country does not attract foreign criminals. Check out the security rating of the countries in which you will find Montenegro. https://global-relocate.com/ru/rankings/security-of-countries