Moving to Montenegro differs markedly from emigration to other European states, and, according to experts, for the better. After all, this country has not yet become a member of the EU, although there are prerequisites for obtaining such a status. While the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro is not burdened by the EU orders, those who wish to book a ticket to Europe can take advantage of the available opportunity now.
General information
Before deciding to move to the Balkans, you need to imagine what a residence permit in Montenegro gives. Below is a list of the main advantages of living in this state with a formalized residence permit.
- The period of stay in Montenegro is limited only by the period of validity of the residence permit.
- You can apply for visas of various countries through the consulates of these states located in Montenegro.
- An investor can open an account with a local bank and get a loan.
- Low tax rates are provided for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Free medical care in government institutions.
- Affordable cost of food, industrial group goods and services.
A residence permit in Montenegro does not give the right to free movement in Europe. There are also disadvantages of living in the country:
- In winter, there are frequent power outages.
- There is no centralized heating.
- High cost of utilities and internet access.
- Outdated technologies dominate in everyday life. For example, an electric kettle with automatic shutdown after boiling water is rare in Montenegro.
- Low income of the local population.
- Entertainment facilities are almost completely absent.
Obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro by citizens of other states is regulated by the provisions of the Law on Foreign Citizens. We will turn to its provisions more than once. By the way, in Montenegrin "residence permit" in Russian transcription sounds like "boravak".
Ways of obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro
For the first acquaintance with the country, a Russian does not need a visa: to stay in Montenegro for a whole month, a foreign passport is enough. This period of time may well be enough to make a decision to move to the Balkans.
And then our compatriots start looking for an answer to the question of how to get a residence permit in Montenegro. Let's take a closer look at the options available. Some of the methods described below are rarely used, while others are very popular.
Own business
The easiest way to obtain a residence permit is to open your own company. Family members of a foreigner who opened a business in Montenegro and issued a "boravak" can also obtain a residence permit. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the state will take a positive decision on this issue in order to ensure family reunification of migrants.
The company must be registered in Montenegro. Another fundamental condition is that an applicant for the "boravak" must hold a position in it no lower than the executive director.
It usually takes 5 working days to register an organization. Then you can start applying for a residence permit with the right to work. This procedure takes about 4 weeks.
A foreigner must apply for a "boravak" in person. After 3 weeks after submission of documents, he can receive a personal local identification card (ID-card).
And in this case, the personal presence of the applicant in Montenegro is required.
Acquisition of real estate
It is important to know that a foreigner is issued a Montenegrin residence permit when buying real estate of any value. In some other European countries, the requirements are more stringent. For comparison:
- in Germany, a residence permit is not given at all for real estate;
- in Bulgaria - if a foreigner purchases an object worth at least 300 thousand euros.
Buying real estate in Montenegro by default is accompanied by the transfer of ownership of the land plot to the owner of the object erected on it.
An important condition: a residence permit in Montenegro in 2021 is issued only when purchasing real estate, on which there are no significant encumbrances:
- mortgage on the object;
- real estate tax arrears;
- litigation on various occasions;
- lack of a building permit.
To remove some of the encumbrances, you will have to incur certain financial costs, for example, pay legal costs.
Registration of a residence permit for family members (spouse and children under 18 years old) is carried out only after obtaining the status of a residence permit by the owner of the property. This type of residence permit in Montenegro does not give the right to work, receive education, do business in the country.
Official employment
Obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro is also possible with official employment at one of the local enterprises. But this is perhaps the most difficult option. The fact is that there are very few offers for employment in the country. Therefore, a job in Montenegro is provided to a foreigner only if local residents do not apply for a specific vacancy.
To be convinced of this, employees of the employer's personnel department should research the database of unemployed Montenegrins. But even if there are no applicants, only a highly qualified foreigner with rich experience will be able to get the proposed position.
A work permit is issued for only one year. But it is possible to extend it up to 2 years. The situation is different with hiring for temporary, for example, seasonal, work: the permit is valid for 6 months.
Studying at the university
Studying in Montenegro (the "Italianized" name of Montenegro) is attractive because:
- allows a citizen of Russia or another country to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro;
- diplomas of universities of this country, as a rule, do not need to be subjected to the nostrification procedure in the future;
- student residence permit gives the right to work in Montenegro;
- does not require significant expenses. For example, the cost of obtaining a bachelor's degree ranges from 500 to 1500 euros per year.
It is interesting that a Russian can enter the top-rated university - the University of Montenegro in Podgorica remotely. However, due to the lack of the need to apply for a visa, most Russians come and take exams in person.
A residence permit in Montenegro for citizens of the Russian Federation who enrolled in one of the country's educational institutions is issued in the following sequence:
- the student takes an invitation from the administration of the educational institution;
- a training contract is signed;
- a foreign student submits both documents to the migration department - an invitation and a contract. On their basis, a residence permit is issued for a period of six months to 2 years with the possibility of further extension.
Refugee status
Refugees in Montenegro, as in other countries, must confirm the existence of circumstances that threaten their health, life or freedom at home in order to obtain a status.
To do this, you can use medical certificates confirming the infliction of bodily harm, clippings from reputable print media, videos, even filmed using your smartphone.
If the law enforcement authorities do not find sufficient grounds for assigning refugee status to a person who has decided to immigrate to Montenegro, he will have to leave the country.
Family reunification and marriage
Having received the "boravak", one of the family members has the right to initiate the procedure for moving the next of kin to Montenegro by sending them an invitation.Upon arrival in the country with children, the spouse visits the local Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he draws up an application for a residence permit for family reunification.
In addition, in Montenegro, a foreigner has the opportunity to obtain citizenship by marrying a citizen or resident of the country.
To apply for a "boravak", you need:
- confirm the absence of a criminal record at home and in Montenegro;
- rent or purchase a dwelling;
- have a source of income.
But the main condition is the creation of a family and cohabitation of the spouses. If the fictitious marriage is established, the applicant will not only not receive a Montenegrin passport, but will also lose the chance to get a "boravak" in the future.
A few words about the residence permit in Montenegro for pensioners. Features of immigration for elderly people are not provided. They have two options to legally move to the country:
- as a dependent of a close relative who has citizenship or residence permit in Montenegro;
- on a general basis - through the purchase of real estate, employment or starting a business.
The procedure for obtaining a residence permit
Registration of "boravak" is carried out in 3 stages:
- Preparatory. Includes consultation, as well as collection and execution of documents.
- Basic. Provides for the direct filing of papers and obtaining a residence permit. Montenegrin legislation establishes the following terms:
- on the grounds of family reunification and ownership of real estate - 40 days; on the basis of employment - 20 days.
- Final. Implies:
- for employees - completion of employment;
- for employees and members of their families - registration with the health fund, statistics and accounting bodies, in the divisions of the fiscal service.
These activities take approximately 2 weeks to complete.
Documents required to obtain status
Regardless of the reason, a foreigner needs to prepare the following documents to obtain a residence permit:
- original and copy of the foreign passport;
- a certificate confirming the fact of registration at the place of stay - the so-called white cardboard. You need to get this document within 24 hours from the moment you enter Montenegro;
- papers confirming financial solvency: a bank statement on the current account (it must have at least 3,650 euros), a guarantee from a sponsor or a statement of income;
- rental agreement or deed of ownership of real estate;
- paid health insurance policy for at least 1 month (costs about 30 euros);
- a receipt confirming the payment of the fiscal fee for the "boravak".
If the residence permit is received by the whole family, the standard package of documents is supplemented by a photocopy of the applicant's personal card, marriage certificate, copies of birth certificates of children and the second member of the married couple.
The person who handed over the documents is issued a certificate, which will subsequently need to be exchanged for a plastic copy of the "boravak".
An important point. A residence permit is issued in Montenegro for Russians and for citizens of other states in the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs operating in the cities:
- Herceg Novi;
- Budva;
- Bar;
- Tivat;
- Kotor.
Terms of obtaining a residence permit and the cost of the procedure
In part, the issues of the timing of receiving the "boravak" were touched upon above. Now let us clarify that only to study the documents submitted for the provision of the "boravak", the Ministry of Internal Affairs allot themselves 40 days. In general, as practice shows, it may take about a month and a half to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro.
As for the cost, in order for the application to be accepted, you need to pay a state fee in the amount of 25 euros. But the amount of the state fee when applying for an extension of the validity of permits is 70 euros. You need to submit papers one month before the end of the residence permit.
If you turn to an intermediary firm for paper preparation services, you will have to pay about 200-300 euros.
Refusal to issue a residence permit
The required completeness of the documentation package and the accuracy of the data contained in the papers are checked by the National Security Agency of Montenegro and the Montenegrin police. The authorities of the country quite rarely refuse to issue a residence permit.
But this can happen if:
- the foreigner does not have enough funds;
- the applicant has not purchased a health insurance policy;
- the stay of a foreigner poses a threat to the state or public order;
- a criminal trial has been initiated against the applicant;
- a foreign citizen has presented forged documents or provided false information about himself.
If the applicant receives a refusal of a residence permit without, in his opinion, any weighty reasons, he can appeal it within 8 days (from the date of the negative decision). The applicant can find out about the decision by personally contacting the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro at the place of submission of documents.
Cancellation of residence permit in Montenegro
In some cases, the Montenegro authorities revoke a residence permit issued to a foreigner. The main reasons are:
- expulsion from the state for the commission of unlawful acts;
- the validity period of the previous residence permit has expired, and the foreigner did not apply in a timely manner for its extension. In order to prevent such an unpleasant situation, it is recommended to do this in 2-3 months;
- some types of business have been conducted without permission;
- the law "On Foreign Citizens" allows the absence of a foreigner in Montenegro only for 30 days. "Boravak" is canceled in case of violation of this provision. If weighty circumstances necessitate the absence in the country for more than 30 days, the holder of the residence permit must notify the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about this. The maximum allowable period of absence in such a situation is 90 days.
Obtaining permanent residence in Montenegro
You can move to Montenegro for permanent residence only on the basis of a residence permit. You can apply only after 5 years of residence in the country. This rule applies to those who have received a "boravak" on the basis of:
- Doing business or employment.
- Real estate acquisitions.
- Getting an education.
An exception is made only for those who have married a citizen of Montenegro: you can apply for permanent residence for family reunification after 3 years of being in a marriage union.
Conclusion
Summing up, we will briefly point out the main pros and cons of a residence permit in Montenegro. Let's start with the benefits.
- The best prices in the country for housing and food. For example, electricity here costs on average about 3-5 euros / month for one family of 4 people. And the cost of a loaf of bread (from 0.4 euros) is comparable to the price of this product in Moscow - 30 rubles.
- The indicators of the standard of living are high in comparison with the states of the post-Soviet space. If we compare the part of GDP per capita, then Montenegro with the value of this indicator of 8 644.31 dollars is ahead of Turkmenistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine.
- Favorable conditions for the opening and subsequent promotion of small businesses.
- Highly qualified employees working in their specialty receive a good salary.
- High level of safety of life. This is very important for migrants.
The disadvantages include:
- Requirements in relation to those wishing to obtain a residence permit in the country are becoming more and more stringent.
- Instability of legislation, the norms of which are regularly adjusted.
- Insufficient level of development of medicine.
- The quality of education in primary, secondary and higher education institutions is lower when compared with the European level.
Therefore, before making the final decision on obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro and moving to the country, you should carefully study and weigh everything.
