passport of Montenegro

Montenegro Passport

Passport rankings out of 193 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 4

    Tax optimisation

    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

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Birth to citizens of the country

marriage icon

Marriage to a citizen of the country

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Work for the country's government

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Naturalization

Estimated time: 10 years

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Repatriation

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Adoption

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Parents citizenship

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Special conditions

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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.

€450,000+

Investments

6 months

Obtaining period

5 years

Investment return

Who can get a Montenegro passport

  • Investor with a legal income

    • over 18 years old

    • with no criminal records

    • with good health

  • Spouse

    • with no criminal records

    • with good health

  • Children under 18

  • Children over 18

    financially dependant on the investor

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

Expenses

Amount

Fund contribution

€200,000

Investments in real estate

€250,000

Application fee

€45,000

Due Diligence fee

€10,000

Total

€505,000

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 Immigrant Invest 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.

Evaluate chances
2

Up to 1 months

Preparation of the documents

The investor collects personal and financial documents according to the list provided by Immigrant Invest 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 Immigrant Invest 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

Immigrant Invest 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 Immigrant Invest 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

  • How to get a strong passport of Montenegro?

    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.

  • How much do I need to invest in getting a Montenegro passport?

    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.

  • What are the benefits of the Montenegro passport?

    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.