Residence via Real Estate in Montenegro

Summary: From 2026, residence via real estate in Montenegro requires the property’s tax value to be at least €150,000 (not the contract price). At least 50% ownership and actual use of the property are required. The residence is temporary (one year) and renewable; on its own it does not grant the right to work. There is a transitional right for residences obtained before 17 January 2026.

Contents

1. The core requirement: €150,000 tax value
2. Other conditions
3. What this residence grants and doesn’t
4. Transitional provision
5. How to choose the right property
6. Process
7. FAQ

1. The core requirement: €150,000 tax value

The key rule for third-country nationals (including Türkiye): the property’s value in the tax authority’s transfer-tax assessment must be at least €150,000. Here it is the official tax value, not the sale contract price, that is decisive. This distinction is crucial: even if your contract price exceeds €150,000, the application may be rejected if the tax value falls below.

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are exempt from this value requirement.

2. Other conditions

• Ownership share: at least 50%.
• Actual use: documenting that the property is genuinely used.
• Tax debts: property-related tax obligations must be cleared.
• General conditions: valid passport, proof of subsistence, health insurance, clean criminal record, in-person application and biometric registration.

3. What this residence grants and doesn’t

• Grants: legal residence in Montenegro; temporary (one year), renewable; the start of the path to permanent residence.
• Doesn’t grant: the right to work/commercial activity on its own. To work, a company or a different route is needed.

4. Transitional provision

Those who obtained residence via real estate before 17 January 2026 can renew without showing the new €150,000 value. So those who acquired rights before the change are protected.

5. How to choose the right property

• Look at the tax value, not the price. Choosing a property whose tax value safely exceeds the €150,000 threshold reduces application risk.
• Have the title and obligations checked. Make sure no mortgage, lien or tax debt surprises you.
• Clarify your goal. Residence only, or also rental returns + appreciation? This changes the region and property type.

6. Process (summary)

1. Property and tax-value eligibility check
2. Title/due diligence
3. Purchase and title procedures
4. Preparation of the residence application file
5. In-person application and biometrics
6. Outcome and (when due) renewal