Montenegro residence permit through property ownership

Article 56 of the Law on Foreigners accepts family houses, holiday homes, villas, flats, hospitality buildings, mixed residential and business buildings and business premises. You prove ownership with a real estate certificate (list nepokretnosti) from the cadastre and must own the whole property or at least half of it as co-owner.

The value is proven with the decision on real estate transfer tax issued by the local tax authority of the municipality, and its tax base must be at least EUR 150,000. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members are exempt from the value proof. A November 2025 Government draft had proposed EUR 200,000; the threshold in the law as amended in 2026 is EUR 150,000.

You also meet the general conditions for temporary residence: sufficient means of subsistence, accommodation (normally the property itself), health insurance, a passport valid at least three months beyond the permit, no entry ban, no unconditional prison sentence over six months in Montenegro or your country of origin, and no security or public health objection.

Visa-required owners can apply abroad for a visa D for the use of property they own in Montenegro, showing ownership and that their living costs, accommodation, health insurance and return are financed. The residence application itself is filed in person at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the municipality where you live, with biometrics. If you apply before your 90 days of lawful stay end, you may stay until the decision, due within 40 days.

The permit is issued for one year. Renew it 60 to 30 days before expiry with a valid passport, proof of accommodation and continued ownership, and proof that you met your tax obligations during the permit, such as paid property tax. Permits granted before the 2026 amendments are extended under the earlier rules, according to the transitional provisions.

You may live in Montenegro for the purpose of using your property. The permit does not include the right to work; employment or running a business requires a temporary residence and work permit. It ends if you are abroad for more than 30 days during its validity without having notified the police of a justified absence, or if you no longer own the property.

Refusal decisions can be appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within eight days of receipt. A new Law on Foreigners was proposed in October 2026; property rules may change, so check the text in force before buying with residence in mind.