Montenegro is introducing stricter rules to regulate the stay of foreign citizens, shortening the visa-free entry period and tightening oversight of inactive foreign-owned companies.
The National Security Council of Montenegro, which met on November 4 at the initiative of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, approved a package of changes to the country’s visa and migration policy. These measures are aimed at strengthening security, combating shell companies, and harmonizing legislation with European Union standards.
The visa-free stay period is being reduced to 30 days
The main change will affect citizens of countries that have a visa-free regime with Montenegro but have not aligned their visa policy with the EU. For them, the period of stay in the country will be reduced from 90 to 30 days.
This decision, as noted by the government, will make it possible to strengthen control over migration flows and bring visa rules into line with European standards.
New conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro
The Council instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to amend the Law on Foreigners. From now on, the basis for a temporary residence permit will be an investment in real estate worth at least 200,000 euros.
The option of obtaining a residence permit through opening a company will be replaced by the requirement of official full-time employment — either with a registered employer or in one’s own business that is genuinely operating.
Control over inactive companies and tax law violators
The government also drew attention to the growing number of foreign companies that are not conducting active business and are violating tax legislation. The Tax Administration will now regularly provide the police with data on such companies so that, where there are grounds, the temporary residence permits of their owners can be revoked.