€450,000+
Investments
Montenegro Passport
Passport rankings out of 198 countries
Freedom of travel62
Asset protection55
Quality of life63
"Plan B"121
About Montenegro
A state in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Balkan Peninsula, washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. On the mainland it borders on Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Montenegro is a candidate for EU membership. The country has developed metallurgical and textile industries, agriculture, and tourism. From 2019 to 2021, Montenegro had a citizenship by investment program: applicants invested from 350,000 € and received a passport in six months. The program is now stopped.
Population
621.873
Capital
Podgorica
Official language
Montenegrin
GDP per capita
$7.689
Time zone
UTC+1…+2
Currency
Euro
Montenegro passport ranking and benefits
1
Visa-free travels to 124 countries
Montenegro’s passport is ranked high. Therefore, it opens such visa-free destinations as the Schengen countries, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Montenegro’s passport is ranked high. Therefore, it opens such visa-free destinations as the Schengen countries, Hong Kong and Singapore.
2
E‑2 business visa to the USA
The strength of the Montenegro passport allows its holders to obtain an E‑2 business visa to the USA for a year; then, it can be extended. The main condition is to found or buy a company in the US. The E‑2 visa allows living and working in the country.
The strength of the Montenegro passport allows its holders to obtain an E‑2 business visa to the USA for a year; then, it can be extended. The main condition is to found or buy a company in the US. The E‑2 visa allows living and working in the country.
3
Move to Montenegro or have a safe haven
Citizens of Montenegro can live in the country without time limitations and enter it under any circumstances, even if the borders are closed.
Citizens of Montenegro can live in the country without time limitations and enter it under any circumstances, even if the borders are closed.
4
Tax optimisation
Some tax rates are lower in Montenegro than in other European countries. For example, the income tax rate is 9%.
Some tax rates are lower in Montenegro than in other European countries. For example, the income tax rate is 9%.
Grounds for obtaining a Montenegro passport
Montenegro allows dual citizenship
Birth to citizens of the country
Marriage to a citizen of the country
Work for the country's government
Naturalization
Estimated time: 10 years
Repatriation
Adoption
Parents citizenship
Special conditions
Special services to the state
Obtaining a Montenegro passport by naturalization: requirements for applicants
Knowledge of state language
Assimilation or cultural knowledge
Stable financial status
Good health
No criminal records
Montenegro passport for investors
To get a Montenegro passport by investment, one doesn’t need to pass language and history exams. Investors also don’t need to live in the country before or after obtaining citizenship.
6 months
Obtaining period
5 years
Investment return
Who can get a Montenegro passport
Investment conditions
The investor must fulfil two investment conditions:
€200,000 — a non-returnable contribution to a government fund;
€250,000+ — an investment in real estate approved by the government.
Applicants can invest the minimum amount only in the real estate in the north of Montenegro. If a property is located in the capital or coastal region, the investment sum must start at €450,000. The share can be sold 5 years later.
Besides investment, applicants pay application and Due Diligence fees, other duties and charges, and services fees.
Expenses for a family of 4
Investor, their spouse and children of 10 and 17
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Montenegro passport by investment
1
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer checks information on the investor and their family against international databases. This procedure helps to find out whether there are any reasons for citizenship refusal. If Royal Immigration finds any issues, it offers a solution, for example, adding more documents.
The check is confidential and takes one working day. The investor provides only a passport.
Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.
2
Up to 1 months
Preparation of the documents
The investor collects personal and financial documents according to the list provided by Royal Immigration lawyers. The lawyers fill in government forms, translate documents and notarise copies.
3
1—2 days
Remote selection of real estate
Real Estate Department experts of Royal Immigration suggest several properties for investment. The investor chooses a project and signs a contract to buy a share.
4
Up to 3 weeks
Sending the documents and opening escrow accounts
Royal Immigration lawyers check the package of documents and send it for application. Then two escrow accounts are opened in a Montenegrin bank: for real estate investment and a contribution to a government fund.
5
7 days
Fulfilment of investment conditions
The investor pays government charges and transfers money for investment to the escrow accounts. If the government declines the application, the money will be returned to the investor.
6
3 months
Due Diligence
The Citizenship Programme Unit considers the application for 3 months and then notifies Royal Immigration about preliminary approval.
When the application is approved, money from the escrow accounts is transferred to the accounts of the fund and real estate owner. Afterwards, the investor and their family members are invited to submit biometrics.
7
1—2 days
Collection of passports
The investor and their family come to Montenegro to submit biometrics. The passport is issued within 24 hours and handed over to the investor.
Frequently asked questions
By naturalisation, birth, marriage or investment.
To get citizenship by naturalisation, a person needs to live in Montenegro for at least 10 years and be able to speak Montenegrin at a proficiency level.
Investors get citizenship in half a year without taking exams if they participate in the government citizenship programme.
The minimum investment is €450,000. There are two investment conditions: a contribution to a government fund of €200,000 and the purchase of real estate approved by the government. Applicants can invest €250,000 only in the real estate in the north of Montenegro. If a property is located in the capital or coastal region, the investment sum must start at €450,000.
The fund contribution is non-returnable, while real estate can be sold 5 years later.
The power of the Montenegro passport allows one to enter the Schengen countries visa-free and obtain an E‑2 visa for moving to the USA and running a business there. Moreover, Montenegro citizens can enter the country any time and stay there as much as they need.
