Montenegro

Montenegro visa and residence permit guide

10 visa types
checked 24 October 2026

How visas for Montenegro work

Montenegro is a candidate for EU membership and has been aligning its visa policy with the Schengen rules. Short stays are governed by the Government's Decree on the Visa Regime: around 90 nationalities, including EU and US citizens, enter visa-free for up to 90 days, and holders of a valid Schengen, US, UK, Irish, Canadian, Australian, Japanese or New Zealand visa or residence permit may stay up to 30 days without a Montenegrin visa. Under an amendment of 23 July 2026, citizens of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Belarus and China need a visa from 1 November 2026.

Visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through embassies, consulates and VFS Global application centres. The short-stay visa C allows up to 90 days in any 180; the long-stay visa D, for stays of 90 to 180 days in a year, is the entry route for work, study, family reunification, digital nomads and property owners. The consular fee for both is EUR 35 under the Law on Administrative Fees.

Residence beyond 90 days is handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Law on Foreigners, last amended in January and March 2026. Applications are made in person at the Ministry office where you live. Temporary residence permits cost EUR 40 and are decided within 40 days; temporary residence and work permits cost EUR 60 and are decided within 15 days, mostly within an annual quota of 28,988 permits for 2026. After five years of continuous residence you can request permanent residence.

Montenegro also runs an asylum procedure under the Law on International and Temporary Protection of Foreigners, administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a Reception Centre for applicants.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday, family visit or short business trip: check the visa-free list; otherwise apply for a visa C, or travel on a valid Schengen, US or UK visa for up to 30 days.

Job with a Montenegrin employer: temporary residence and work permit for employment; for summer or harvest jobs, the seasonal permit applied for through a mission.

Own company or sole-trader business in Montenegro: permit for entrepreneurs and owner-directors, outside the quota.

Remote work for a foreign employer or your own foreign company: digital nomad permit for up to two years.

Studying, joining a spouse or parent, or owning a home worth at least EUR 150,000 by tax base: study, family reunification or property-based temporary residence.

Five years of continuous residence: permanent residence. Fear of persecution or serious harm: international protection.

Visa types for Montenegro

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Short-stay visa (visa C) and visa-free entry for tourism and visits
Montenegro admits many nationalities visa-free for up to 90 days, EU and some European citizens even with an ID card.
Maximum stay: Visa C: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-free nationals listed in the decree: 90 days. Holders of a qualifying Schengen, US, UK or similar visa or permit: 30 days, never beyond its expiry.

Business and self-employment

Entrepreneur and start-up visa Temporary residence and work permit for sole traders and owner-directors of companies
Montenegro has no separate start-up visa.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the permit; renewable while the conditions are met.

Study and training

Student visa Temporary residence permit for education (privremeni boravak radi školovanja)
Foreign students enrolled at a Montenegrin school or university receive a temporary residence permit for education for the length of the school or academic year.
Maximum stay: For the duration of studies; may be extended for up to 2 years after the standard length of the programme to finish it.

Work

Work visa Temporary residence and work permit for employment (dozvola za privremeni boravak i rad)
A foreign employee in Montenegro needs a single temporary residence and work permit issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Maximum stay: As long as the permit is valid; the employer and job named in it bind you.
Seasonal work visa Temporary residence and work permit for seasonal employment
Seasonal workers in tourism, agriculture and other seasonal sectors receive a temporary residence and work permit for seasonal employment.
Maximum stay: Up to 6 months in 12 months; at most 8 months with the extension.
Digital nomad visa Temporary residence permit for digital nomads (privremeni boravak digitalnog nomada)
Montenegro offers a temporary residence permit for digital nomads: foreigners who work online for a foreign employer or for their own company registered outside Montenegro.
Maximum stay: Up to 4 years in total (2 + 2); a new permit is possible 6 months after the previous one expires.

Family

Family reunification visa Temporary residence permit for family reunification (privremeni boravak radi spajanja porodice)
Spouses, same-sex life partners, minor children and the parents of minor children can join a Montenegrin citizen or a foreigner with permanent or temporary residence.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the permit; renewable while the family relationship and the sponsor's status last.

Residence

Golden visa and residence by investment Temporary residence permit based on ownership of real estate in Montenegro
Montenegro does not run a formal golden visa programme, but the Law on Foreigners grants temporary residence to foreigners who own real estate in the country.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the permit; renewable while you own the property and meet the conditions.
Permanent residence Permanent residence permit (dozvola za stalni boravak)
Permanent residence in Montenegro is granted for an indefinite period to foreigners who have lived in the country lawfully and continuously for five years on temporary residence or international protection.
Maximum stay: Indefinite; the card itself must be renewed.

Asylum and international protection

Asylum and international protection International protection: asylum and subsidiary protection
Montenegro grants asylum and subsidiary protection under the Law on International and Temporary Protection of Foreigners.
Maximum stay: Right to stay from the statement of intention until a negative decision becomes final.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Montenegro?

Around 90 nationalities, including EU and US citizens, enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Others need a visa C, unless they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or other listed visa or residence permit, which allows up to 30 days. Citizens of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Belarus and China need a visa from 1 November 2026.

How much does a Montenegrin visa cost?

The consular fee is EUR 35 for visas A, B, C and D, half for children under 14 with their own passport. VFS centres charge an additional service fee.

Where do I apply for a Montenegrin visa?

In person at the Montenegrin embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, or at a VFS Global centre where the Ministry uses one (currently in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, the UAE and Russia). Where Montenegro has no mission, Serbian or Bulgarian missions may accept applications.

Can I live in Montenegro by buying property?

Yes. Owning at least half of a property whose real estate transfer tax base is at least EUR 150,000 supports a one-year temporary residence permit that can be renewed.

Does Montenegro have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Remote workers for foreign companies can get a temporary residence permit for up to two years, extendable by two more, and a visa D for digital nomads if they need a visa.

Do I have to register my stay?

Yes. Your stay must be registered with the police within 24 hours of arrival; hotels and other accommodation providers do it within 12 hours.