More than 65,000 foreigners obtained temporary and permanent residence permits in Montenegro in 2024
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro (MUP), 65,895 temporary and permanent residence permits were issued to foreign citizens in the first 11 months of 2024. The statistics include temporary and permanent residence permits, as well as temporary...
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro (MUP), in the first 11 months of 2024 65,895 permits for residence and permanent residence were issued to foreign citizens. The statistics include permits for temporary and permanent residence, as well as temporary residence permits with the right to work.
What permits do foreigners receive in Montenegro
According to official data, the structure of the issued documents looks as follows:
A total of 65,895 permits for temporary and permanent residence were issued:
25,301 — temporary residence permit (38% of the total number of permits);
39,563 — temporary residence and work permits (60%);
1,031 — permanent residence permit (1.5%).
Thus, the most in-demand category was temporary residence with the right to work, which indicates a growing number of people coming to the country not only for tourism or investment purposes, but also for employment.
Temporary residence permit (without work)
Issued to those who receive the right to reside without the right to work in Montenegro.
The grounds for application usually include:
property ownership;
study at educational institutions;
family reunification.
The main purpose of this type of residence permit is legal residence in the country, but without the possibility of official employment.
Temporary residence and work permit (with the right to work)
Issued to those who want to
not only live, but also work officially
in Montenegro.
The grounds for application include:
an employment contract with an employer in Montenegro;
starting your own company (director / business owner);
remote work for a foreign employer (Digital Nomad Visa).
Such a residence permit allows you to legally earn income and pay taxes in Montenegro.
Russians and Turks are the leaders in the number of permits issued
The largest number of issued documents went to Russian citizens. In total, 20,018 permits were issued to Russians, of which:
11,002 — temporary residence permit;
8,737 — temporary residence and work permit;
279 — permanent residence permit.
Turkish citizens came in second — 10,098 permits were issued to them. Among them:
1,805 — temporary residence permit;
31 — permanent residence permit;
the rest — temporary residence and work permits.
Third place went to Serbian citizens, traditionally closely connected with Montenegro historically and culturally. In total, 13,489 permits were issued to Serbs, including 4,873 temporary, 8,277 temporary residence and work permits, as well as 339 permanent.
Also among the leaders were citizens of Albania, who received 2,054 temporary residence and work permits.
Where foreigners work in Montenegro
Another important aspect of the statistics is the industries in which foreigners find work. According to MUP, the following sectors lead:
8,958 — other service activities;
8,539 — construction;
7,132 — hotel and restaurant business;
3,976 — wholesale and retail trade, repair of cars and motorcycles;
2,553 — professional, scientific and innovative activities;
2,381 — information technologies and communications;
1,164 — administrative and support services.
As you can see, foreigners in Montenegro are actively involved both in the service and tourism sectors, as well as in construction and trade. Special attention should be paid to the growing number of specialists in IT and innovative fields, which confirms the gradual development of the country's digital economy.
Why foreigners choose Montenegro
Montenegro is a small but dynamically developing country in the Balkans that combines a mild climate, a favorable geographic location, and relatively liberal migration legislation. Among the key reasons why foreigners obtain residence permits and work permits here:
Low taxes — a flat tax scale and the absence of inheritance and gift tax make the country attractive to wealthy people.
Attractive labor market — especially in construction, tourism, and IT.
Quality life by the sea — the combination of the Adriatic coast and mountain climate makes the country comfortable for permanent residence.
Prospects for EU integration — Montenegro is in candidate status for accession to the European Union, which makes it interesting for long-term investment and migration.
Trends of 2024 and forecast for 2025
Analyzing MUP data, we can conclude that the number of foreigners in Montenegro continues to grow. And this refers not only to seasonal workers in tourism and construction, but also to specialists in scientific, technical, and IT fields.
The greatest growth was shown by Russians and Turks — due to the geopolitical situation and the search for new labor markets and safe jurisdictions for residence. Serbs traditionally remain the largest group of migrants, given the proximity and historical ties.
Experts predict that in 2025 the number of applications for residence permits and work permits may exceed 70,000, and in the long term Montenegro will become one of the centers of labor migration in the Balkans.
Conclusion
MUP statistics for 2024 show that Montenegro is steadily strengthening its position as a country attractive for foreigners to live and work in. The greatest interest is shown by citizens of Russia, Turkey, and Serbia, but the presence of people from other countries is also growing.
At the same time, foreigners are actively involved in key sectors of the economy — construction, tourism, trade, and IT. All this shows that migration has become one of the factors in the development of modern Montenegro, and the number of issued residence and work permits will only continue to grow in the future.
