Montenegro is introducing stricter rules to regulate the stay of foreign nationals, shortening the visa-free entry period and tightening oversight of inactive foreign-owned companies.
Montenegro’s National Security Council, 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 visa-free access to Montenegro but have not aligned their visa policy with the EU. For them, the length of stay in the countrywill be reduced from 90 to 30 days.
This decision, asnotedby 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 the Interior to amend the Law on Foreigners. From now on, the basis for a temporary residence permit will bean investment in real estate worth at least 200,000 euros.
The option of obtaining a residence permit by 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 active.
Oversight of 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 share data on such companies with the police so that, where there are grounds, temporary residence permits can be revoked for their owners.
This measure is intended to improve fiscal discipline and combat shell businesses used to legalize residence in the country.