Ways to live in Montenegro
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Temporary residence permit for digital nomads
For foreigners who work online for a foreign employer or their own company not registered in Montenegro. Gives up to 2 years of residence, which can be extended.
- What you need
- Proof of remote work for a foreign employer or your own foreign company, sufficient funds, accommodation, health insurance and a passport valid 3+ months beyond the stay. No prison sentence over 6 months in your home country.
- How long
- Up to 2 years, extendable once for 2 more; a new permit is possible 6 months after the last one expires
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Administrative fees apply
- Processing time
- Decision within 40 days of a complete application
- How to apply
- In person at the Interior Ministry office where you live; if you apply within your 90 visa-free days, you can stay until the decision
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Work permit Work permits →
Temporary residence and work permit
A single permit for foreigners hired by a Montenegrin employer. It covers both the stay and the job, but only for the position and employer named in it.
- What you need
- Written job offer from the employer, proof of education and qualifications, a health certificate, means of support, accommodation, health insurance and a passport valid at least 3 months beyond the stay. No entry ban and no prison sentence over 6 months.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €60 fee, plus €5 for the permit form and €2 for the application
- Processing time
- about 15 days
- How to apply
- At the Ministry of the Interior in Podgorica or its local office
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Years of temporary residence count towards permanent residence.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| One-bedroom flat | $480 |
|---|---|
| Two-bedroom flat | $950 |
| Bills | $90 |
| Typical local salary | $1,180 |
Cities to consider
- PodgoricaLow-key capital near the lake
- BudvaRiviera town on the Adriatic
- KotorOld town on a fjord-like bay
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Life centres on the coast: Kotor Bay, Budva, Herceg Novi and Bar, with Mediterranean food and long summers. Inland, Durmitor and Lovćen offer hiking and skiing. Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking communities are sizable.
Day to day
Buses connect coastal towns, though a car makes life easier. Public hospitals are basic, so private clinics are popular. Euro is used, cards work in towns. Montenegrin is close to Serbian, and Russian is often understood.
Trade-offs
Coastal towns get crowded in summer and very quiet in winter. Rental quality varies and many flats lack heating. Bureaucracy is slow and mountain roads are narrow and winding.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Montenegro have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Montenegro offers: Temporary residence permit for digital nomads.
How can I move to Montenegro?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Montenegro were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Montenegro were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- Digital Nomads Montenegro (government portal): Legal status for nomads
- Government of Montenegro: Stay of up to 90 days
- Government of Montenegro: Programme for attracting digital nomads
- https://www.gov.me/en/mup
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
