How to get Montenegro citizenship and passport – learn all about it

As the years go by, the question of how to get Montenegro citizenship becomes more and more frequent.

There are many reasons why there has been an increase in demand for Montenegrin citizenship and passports over recent months. Montenegro has much to offer its citizens – an astonishing environment and surrounding nature, a vivid European lifestyle and easy access to other European countries.

The following post will take you through the process and conditions for obtaining a Montenegro passport. So, if you’re wondering how to get a Montenegrin passport and citizenship, look no further – read our article and learn everything you need to know.

The terms and conditions for obtaining citizenship in Montenegro are regulated by the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship.

The applicable Law allows four cases in which citizenship can be obtained:

• By origin
• By birth on the territory of Montenegro
• By admittance
• Based on international treaties and agreements

Article 5 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship regulates conditions for acquiring citizenship through Montenegrin origin. Citizenship by origin is acquired by:

• A child whose both parents are Montenegrin citizens at the time of the child’s birth.
• A child born in Montenegro to one Montenegrin parent.
• A child born outside of Montenegro, whose one parent is Montenegrin, if the other parent is stateless, of unknown nationality, or unknown entirely.
• A child born outside Montenegro to one Montenegrin parent, provided the child would otherwise be stateless.

In cases of full adoption, if one of the adoptive parents is a Montenegrin citizen, the child also acquires citizenship.

It may come as a surprise, but being born in Montenegro will not automatically gratify your citizenship. The law on Montenegrin Citizenship applies the Jus Sanguinis principle of citizenship, by which nationality is determined or acquired by the nationality of one or both parents.

If the child’s parents are unknown, and the child is born or found in the territory of Montenegro, they will have to request Montenegrin citizenship before they turn 18 years old.

If you meet one of the above-mentioned requirements, congratulations! You can submit a request for citizenship in Montenegro. However, there are quite a few demands to fulfil.

You can obtain Montenegrin citizenship if:

• You are over 18 years of age
• You are discharged from the citizenship of another state
• You have had a legal and continuous residence in Montenegro for at least 10 years before submitting your application for citizenship
• You have the accommodation and guaranteed source of income in Montenegro that is enough to provide you with social & material security
• You have a clean criminal record
• You have a basic knowledge of the Montenegrin language
• There are no obstacles regarding the security and defence of Montenegro
• You have settled all legal obligations, such as taxes, before applying

Now, if you’re wondering how to get Montenegro citizenship, even if you don’t fulfil all of these requirements, there is still a way to do so. Namely, you can still be granted citizenship if the Montenegrin Government recognises your work in the national, economic, cultural, sports, or scientific fields as a potential interest to the country.

Montenegrin law requires lawful and uninterrupted residence in Montenegro for at least five years with a spouse to apply for citizenship. However, qualifying is also possible if you have been married to a Montenegrin citizen for at least three years.

Montenegrin citizenship may be acquired based on ratified international treaties or agreements signed by Montenegro.

Montenegro allows its citizens to retain dual citizenship, provided it is reciprocal.

However, dual citizenship is generally not allowed in Montenegro unless a bilateral agreement dictates otherwise.  

According to Article 8 of the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship, renunciation of previous citizenship is a condition for submitting an application for Montenegrin citizenship. 

Exceptions to this are all citizens who were in possession of dual citizenship before the Declaration of Independence of Montenegro.

The procedure for requesting Montenegrin citizenship may seem complicated, but please don’t feel intimidated. With a couple of exceptions and special cases, getting Montenegrin Citizenship is not a particularly demanding procedure.

To successfully submit your application, you will need to provide some personal documents for yourself and your family members, including the following:

• An application form for citizenship
• A notarised passport copy (certified with an apostille)
• An original birth certificate/extract
• An original marriage certificate/extract
• A health insurance policy valid in Montenegro
• A medical report assessing your health for infectious diseases
• A document proving the origin of funds for your investments and fees

After you submit your application, an official Government agent will evaluate and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for Montenegrin citizenship.

Montenegro’s Citizen by Investment program, initiated in 2019, allowed foreign investors to obtain Montenegrin citizenship through a special economic scheme. This program, announced on October 1, 2018, and effective from January 1, 2019, was designed to run until December 31, 2021. 

It offered Montenegrin citizenship to up to 2,000 foreign investors, requiring a combination of government donations and investments in approved development projects, such as real estate or business ventures, particularly in tourism, agriculture, wood processing, and fisheries.

The program was structured to promote economic development, with specific investment thresholds based on the region of Montenegro—€250,000 in less developed northern areas or €450,000 in more developed southern regions, alongside a mandatory €100,000 government fee. Applicants must also pay various fees and meet eligibility criteria, including no significant criminal record and positive due diligence results.

Montenegro’s appeal included future EU membership and its low tax policies, with no requirement for physical residence. However, the program officially closed in 2023, and alternative citizenship programs are recommended for those interested. Additionally, Montenegro offers residency options through investment and naturalisation, but these require more extended residency periods and fulfilling specific conditions.

Suppose you’re contemplating how to get Montenegro citizenship or even if it’s worth all the work. In that case, you should know that there are many positive aspects to being a citizen of Montenegro and holding a Montenegrin passport. Since the Declaration of Independence, Montenegro has been transitioning to a market system based on financial investments, especially in the real estate and tourism sectors.

The country’s economy has seen steady growth, and the economic citizenship program concluded the government’s efforts to attract foreign investors and further consolidate the Montenegrin economy.

With a relatively stable economy and its incredible environment and position, Montenegro has a lot to offer to its tourists as well as its residents.

Despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, Montenegro’s strategic geographical location grants it direct access to the Adriatic Sea and proximity to major European cities. This makes Montenegro an ideal base for frequent travellers and business professionals alike. 

As a Montenegrin citizen, you enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 120 countries, including key destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This extensive global mobility makes a Montenegrin passport a valuable asset for those prioritising ease of travel.

Porto Montenegro is the finest superyacht marina in Montenegro, hosting residential neighbourhoods, further contributing to the mobility and possibility to travel & visit neighbouring countries.

Having all this in mind, it is clear that you should not ask yourself if you should become a Montenegrin citizen, but rather how to get a Montenegrin passport and citizenship.

Known for its natural beauty, situated between sea and mountains, and with a mild Mediterranean climate, Montenegro’s weather offers limitless possibilities for an active and healthy lifestyle. Montenegrins are known best for their hospitality and friendliness and invite you to experience an authentic European lifestyle. Enjoy Montenegro’s lively nightlife scene, offering a perfect mix of culture, music, and vibrant energy.

The growing awareness of the importance of quality of life has further positioned the Montenegro real estate market as one of the best for buyers prioritising their well-being. If you wish to invest in Montenegro while also providing yourself and your family a place to spend a life that will bring you well-being, Montenegro is an excellent place to do so.

Montenegro’s real estate market has long attracted foreign investors, and with low capital gains tax, it stands out as one of the most attractive locations for investment. The Montenegrin market offers luxury real estate of the highest standard, enriched with unique benefits that enhance the value of every investment. Given these advantages, it’s no surprise that many celebrities and business leaders are choosing Montenegro not only as a vacation destination but also as a place to invest.

By purchasing property within Porto Montenegro’s residential complex, you secure a safe investment with numerous benefits, including low taxes, a multicultural environment, and a place ideal for healthy living and relaxation.

Porto Montenegro continues to evolve, and following the successful completion and full sell-out of South Village and Boka Place, Synchro Yards has been launched as a masterpiece in the world of luxury real estate. There are more than enough reasons to consider relocating to Montenegro. When it comes to Porto Montenegro, the reasons are countless – this is a community home to over 50 nationalities, with 600 sold-out residences and 450 berths in one of the most prestigious marinas in the Mediterranean.

We highly recommend seizing this incredible opportunity to secure Montenegrin citizenship and a life less ordinary – in a stunning Mediterranean country.