Montenegro residence through property: the €150,000 rule in 2026

What changed

Amendments to the Law on Foreigners, applied from the start of 2026, introduced a minimum for temporary residence based on property ownership. A third-country national must own a property with a tax value of at least €150,000. Previously, owning any property was enough.

The threshold does not apply to citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

What this residence gives you, and what it does not

The residence is tied to using the property. It does not give the right to work or run a business in Montenegro. Other residence grounds exist for work or business.

All property taxes must be paid, and the owner must actually use the property.

Duration and renewal

The permit is issued for one year. The renewal application is filed no later than 30 days before it expires. Those who received a property-based permit before the amendments renew it under the rules that applied then.

Documents you need

• a valid passport
• the title deed (list nepokretnosti) as proof of ownership
• proof of accommodation
• health insurance
• proof of means of subsistence (bank statement or proof of income)
• a criminal record certificate, usually apostilled and translated

The application is filed in person at the Ministry of Interior office for your place of residence, where biometric data is also taken.

Before buying for residence, check the tax value of the property, not just the listed price. For residence, the tax value is what counts.

How Horizon helps

We select properties above the €150,000 threshold, check the documents and handle the purchase through to land registry entry, so the title deed is ready for your residence application.

This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Residence rules change, so check with the Ministry of Interior or a lawyer before applying.