Residency in Montenegro by Real Estate Purchase: Criteria and Renewal
Short answer: a foreigner who owns real estate in Montenegro can apply for temporary residence on that basis. Since 17 January 2026, citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a property with a taxable value of at least €150,000. The permit is valid for one year, can be renewed, and does not give the right to work.
Criteria
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property ownership | Ownership registered in the Real Estate Cadastre, and actual use of the property |
| Minimum value (from 17 January 2026) | Taxable value of at least €150,000, as assessed by the Tax Administration for transfer tax |
| Who the minimum applies to | Third-country nationals; not citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland |
| Taxes | Property tax obligations settled |
| Existing permits | Permits obtained on this basis before 17 January 2026 can be renewed without the €150,000 requirement |
What the permit gives — and what it does not
| Temporary residence based on property ownership | |
|---|---|
| Validity | One year |
| Renewal | Yes, annually, while ownership and the conditions are maintained |
| Employment or business activity | Not permitted on this basis |
Renewal timeline
An application to renew temporary residence must be filed no earlier than 60 days and no later than 30 days before the current permit expires. Missing this window generally leads to rejection, so plan the renewal date when the permit is issued.
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Permit issued (valid 12 months) |
| 60 days before expiry | Renewal window opens |
| 30 days before expiry | Last day to file the renewal |
Before you buy for residency
The €150,000 threshold refers to the value assessed by the Tax Administration, which can differ from the agreed price. If residency is a goal of the purchase, confirm the expected assessment and the current requirements with an immigration lawyer before signing.
Rules as of 19 September 2026, following the amendments to the Law on Foreigners effective 17 January 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
How we can help
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Prepared by the Montenegro Sotheby's International Realty office in Porto Montenegro. Facts checked against the sources below on September 19, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
