Montenegro Withdraws Controversial Amendments to the 2025 Law on Foreigners
The Government of Montenegro has withdrawn amendments to the Law on Foreigners that sparked a strong reaction from foreign investors and the business community. In particular, they concerned the introduction of a minimum property value of 200 thousand eu...
The Government of Montenegro has withdrawn amendments to the Law on Foreigners that sparked a strong reaction from foreign investors and the business community. In particular, the measures included introducing a minimum property value of 200,000 euros and requiring the employment of Montenegrin citizens. Interviewees warn that some investors have already abandoned planned investments and stress the need for an urgent compromise solution that will not undermine the investment climate ahead of the country’s accession to the EU.
Autumn amendments to the Law on Foreigners withdrawn
The Government of Montenegro has repealed the amendments and additions to the Law on Foreigners, which in recent weeks caused serious concern among foreign citizens living, working, and investing in the country. The withdrawn amendments included a minimum property value of 200,000 euros for obtaining a temporary residence permit, as well as a requirement for foreign company owners to employ at least two Montenegrin citizens.
Also read: final amendments to the Law on Foreigners (December 2025)Brief overview of the changes to the Law on Foreigners
Real estate:New residence permits are issued only when purchasing property worth at least200,000 euros
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Protection for current owners:If youalready havea residence permit based on property ownership, the new price rule doesnot apply to you
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Business:Company directorsdo not need tohire Montenegrins. Instead, the company must pay taxes — at least5,000 euros per year
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IT and Medicine:
The requirement for a triple average salary has been removed. The conditions have become more flexible.
These requirements do not apply to citizens of the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — for them, there are no price thresholds or such financial conditions.
that the previously announced changes alarmed tens of thousands of foreigners who have been doing business in the country for years.
“There are provisions there that are truly problematic and significantly affect foreigners who have long lived in Montenegro and run businesses here. People tell me: if it’s going to be like this, if I have to hire three people, two of them Montenegrins, and I have a small business and no means to do that, I’ll have to close the company and leave Montenegro,” Bader said, according to the RTCG portal.
According to him, the negative consequences are already being felt, as some potential investors have abandoned planned investments.
“New investors have cancelled their plans for now. People I am in contact with said they will not invest in Montenegro at this time,” Bader noted.
Migration policy expert Bojan Bugarin believes the proposed measures would be difficult to implement in practice and that Montenegro should focus on the real economic activity of companies with foreign capital.
“Abuses certainly need to be controlled, but on the basis of tax returns, balance sheets, and the actual activity of companies. Their impact on the labour market and tax revenues needs to be monitored and assessed regularly,” Bugarin said, adding that such an approach would ensure effective control without creating unnecessary barriers.
As an example of good practice, Bader cites Albania, where the criteria are simple and clear.
“There, the requirement is 20 square metres per person, which is quite reasonable. If a family consists of four people, the house must have 80 square metres so that all family members can obtain residence permits,” he explained.
The interviewees for Radio Montenegro agree that the optimal model for Montenegro would be a system combining effective business oversight with a non-restrictive approach to foreigners, especially in the context of the country’s expected accession to the European Union.
When will the new amendments to the law enter into force?
At present, this is not a matter of an existing law, but of a package of amendments proposed by the Government to the draft law. For them to enter into force, the document must be approved by a majority vote in the Parliament (Skupština) and then officially published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro (Službeni list).
Expert recommendation:
if you were considering buying affordable property in order to obtain a residence permit, it makes sense to speed up the transaction and submit the documents. All applications submitted before the amendments enter into force will be considered under the current, more lenient rules.
Stay tuned for updates. We will publish the final text of the law as soon as it is signed
