On the last day of 2025, the Parliament of Montenegro voted for the amendments to the Foreigners Act which entered into force on 17 January 2026. Implementing regulations have to be enacted within further 12 months.
We set out below the most important updates to the regime of relevance to the business environment.
Visa application deadlines
Applications for the issuance of visa C (tourist visa) and visa D (long-stay visa) can be submitted no later than 15 and 60 days prior to the intended travel date for visa C and visa D, respectively. Visas can be granted even if the application is made outside these deadlines, but only in the presence of justified humanitarian reasons (e.g. force majeure, serious illness or permanent disability of the applicant).
Visa D
Visa D was previously limited to several specific reasons of entry and stay such as business, employment, diplomatic service, and digital nomad residence. The amendments now provide that visa D is required also in a range of other cases, such as family reunification, education, participation in international student exchange or other youth programs, specialization, professional training or practical work, scientific research, medical treatment, use or management of property owned in Montenegro, religious service, volunteering within the European Voluntary Service. Specific documentary requirements are established for each intended purpose of entry and stay.
Electronic visa and permit application
Once the new system is in place, visa applications will be submittable via electronic Visa Information System (“VIS“). It will be also possible to submit online applications for temporary residence permit and integrated temporary work and residence permit. However, the foreigner who applies for a permit electronically will nevertheless have to physically present himself/herself in the police station within ten days from entering Montenegro to leave e his/her biometric data.
Temporary residence based on real estate ownership
Foreigners who apply for residence permit on the basis of ownership of real estate in Montenegro must now submit evidence that their real estate is worth at least EUR 150,000, based on the decision of the Tax Authority on transfer tax.This requirement does not apply to the nationals of EU Member States or their family members (regardless of nationality), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the Switzerland.
Temporary residence permits issued before 17 January 2026 on the basis of real estate ownership can be extended without demonstrating the value of the real estate .
Renewal of integrated residence and work permit
Only foreigners employed full time and directors employed part-time with more than one employer can now apply for extension of integrated temporary residence and work permit.
Registered entrepreneurs, and individuals who serve as employee directors in the company in which they personally own more than 51% of the capital company can have their integrated temporary residence and work permit extended only if the company has paid at least EUR 5,000 in taxes and contributions in the previous year. This condition does not apply to the citizens of EU member states and their family members (regardless of nationality), as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Work in IT snd healthcare sectors
Foreign employees working in Montenegro in IT and healthcare sectors can obtain integrated work and residence permit if their employment agreement is for a minimum of 12 months and the permit can be issued for a period of up to three years, renewable for one additional three-year period.
Staff leasing
Temporary integrated work and residence permit can now be issued also to foreigners who are leased to an employer in Montenegro through a foreign staff leasing agency. The validity of this permit is up to one year, subject to renewal for a maximum of two years.
The Montenegrin Labour Act applies to foreign workers engaged pursuant to such staff leasing arrangement regarding the following matters: work hours, rest and vacation, salary and additional payments, terms under which staff has been leased , health and safety, accommodation, maternal protection and anti-discrimination rules.
Additional obligations of foreign employers
Foreign employer or staff leasing agency assigning employees to work in Montenegro must submit to the labour inspection a statement on assignment and appoint a proxy in Montenegro responsible for maintaining, and presenting upon request a specific, documentation related to the assigned foreign employee, such as: employment contract, payroll slip showing salary elements, record of working hours, proof of social insurance, occupational safety and health documentation, and temporary residence and work permit.
Annual quota exemption
Annual quota exemptions are expanded. Quota does not apply, inter alia, to (i) foreigners who work in Montenegro on the basis of an international agreement; (iv) executive directors and entrepreneurs; (v) employees on managerial positions holding a university degree; (vi) managers, specialists or interns seconded to the branch or affiliate of the foreign employer; (vii) individuals seconded to provide services on behalf of their foreign employer (viii) employees assigned to Montenegro based on a staff leasing arrangement; (ix) employees in the IT sector; (x) citizens of a EU or their family member (regardless of their nationality), as well as a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland; (xi) daily migrants.
Temporary permit renewals
The requests to renew temporary residence permit and integrated work and residence permit may be submitted not earlier than 60 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration date.
For more information on immigration to Montenegro, see our updated Comprehensive immigration and tax guide to relocating to work in Montenegro.
