Montenegro is not only a famous resort, where many residents of our country dream of getting, but also a great place for migration. Montenegro is suitable for those who want to live in a mild climate, are accustomed to a leisurely quiet life and want to enjoy a magnificent view of the sea and mountains. In order to become a citizen of this state, a number of conditions must be met.
Pros and cons of living in Montenegro
pros | Minuses |
| Ecology. Montenegro occupies a leading position among the countries of Western Europe in terms of ecology. | Not a member of the European Union. This means that in order to travel around Europe, residents of Montenegro will still have to apply for Schengen. |
| Climate. There are no frosty winters here. And the summer period lasts from April to October. | Mentality. Some traditions will seem strange to Russian people. |
| Nature. | Features of everyday life. It is difficult for Russian people to understand that houses in which residents of Montenegro live do not have central heating. |
| Safety. Montenegro is a fairly peaceful country where the crime rate is minimal. | Humidity. In the Balkans, the humidity indicator is very high, since this area is replete with trees, shrubs, the proximity of the sea and other bodies of water acts. Many may have health problems. |
| Attitude towards Russians |
Before moving, it is recommended to go to Montenegro as a tourist for a couple of months and try to understand how suitable this state is.
Montenegrin Citizenship Law. Who do they give?
Montenegrin authorities in the “Law on Citizenship” No. 41/99 establish that a citizen who wants to become a resident of the country must meet a number of conditions.
- The presence of the fact of residence in the country for 10 years;
- Taking into account the presence of permanent residence in a marriage with a resident, the period of which is not less than 5 years;
- A citizen must write a refusal (if he is not an investor), in which he informs about his unwillingness to be a citizen of his country;
- If a person has entered into a registered relationship with a Balkan applicant, then in the presence of housing, no criminal record and a period of residence in the country of 5 years, there is a chance to obtain citizenship;
- The citizen must pass an examination for the knowledge of the Montenegrin language;
- Have an official source of income.
Who is prohibited by law from becoming a citizen of Montenegro
In accordance with the legislation of Montenegro, citizenship will be denied to the following categories of citizens.
- Phys. the person was noticed in violation of the laws of Montenegro;
- Has a term of imprisonment or conviction;
- Has no official income in the country.
In these situations, individuals are denied the acquisition of citizenship. However, there are exceptions. Such persons can rehabilitate themselves by investing in the country's economy, providing jobs for 10 or more citizens of the country.
Methods of obtaining
It is important to choose the right migration method that will most likely get approval for the procedure.
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Citizenship by birth and descent
If we are talking about acquiring citizenship by birth, then the following persons are entitled to it:
- Children who were found in the state or reproduced on the territory of Montenegro;
- Children whose parents may be considered foreign or deceased.
When it comes to the issue of origin, then the following persons are entitled to obtain official citizenship of Montenegro:
- Minors whose parents are nationals of the state;
- Minors who have at least one parent - a citizen of the Balkan state;
- If one of the legal representatives of the baby is a citizen of Montenegro, and the other is a person without citizenship.
As a result of marriage
A foreigner or a foreigner who marries a representative of the Balkan state can become nationals if they stay in the country for 5 years.
Important! Montenegrin legislation does not make exceptions for representatives of European states. That is, citizens of completely different countries have the same conditions for obtaining citizenship upon marriage.
By naturalization
Naturalization is understood as a number of legal actions, the main purpose of which is the acquisition of citizenship. The basis for receiving is the voluntary request of the applicant.
The Balkan state imposes a number of conditions for persons wishing to acquire citizenship in this way:
- You must live in the country at least 10 years. 5 official years at a permanent place of residence;
- A citizen must formally renounce his first citizenship in writing. This procedure is carried out at the country's embassy;
- A citizen must pass an examination for knowledge of the Montenegrin language. To do this, he must provide a certificate of attendance at the courses, and only after that he is allowed to take the exam. If a citizen has not passed the point system, then the retake is postponed for another year;
- Naturalization can be combined with other methods of obtaining citizenship of the Balkan state: marriage, education, employment under a contract or through investment.
However, the combination of these two grounds does not simplify the conditions for obtaining citizenship. The procedure remains unchanged.
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For investments when starting a business
The republic is not an economically developed state. Therefore, the government invites investors, promising to obtain citizenship in return. This measure guarantees an additional inflow of investments into the budget and jobs for the local population.
The citizenship scheme provides for two options for injecting investments.
- A citizen can invest about 250 thousand euros minimum for the development of regions of the Republic, which are recognized as economically backward. The scope of a businessman is limited only by the framework of the current legislation;
- The second way to obtain citizenship is to inject investments in the amount of 450 thousand euros... With such money, you can start a business in the southern developed regions.
In addition to the above amounts, a citizen who expects to obtain citizenship in this way must pay 100 thousand euros for processing his appeal and filing an application. This money will also be invested in the development of the republic's economy.
In total, if you wish to start a business in this country you need to deposit an amount of at least 350,000 euros.
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When buying real estate
Since 2015, persons who own real estate in Montenegro can become citizens. However, a number of conditions are imposed on the premises.
- The property must be owned by the person wishing to obtain citizenship;
- The purchase should not have various encumbrances. For example, mortgage, injunction;
- A citizen is issued a residence permit every year. It can be overcome until the object leaves the property;
- You need to live on the territory of the state for 10 yearsafter which, if you have acquired real estate, you can apply for citizenship;
- Minimum property value - 40 thousand euros.
Getting an education
Also, privileges are given to persons receiving education on the territory of the country. If a citizen studies at a higher educational institution, receives a scholarship, pays for his studies, then, being a narrow or valuable specialist in the future, he can obtain citizenship. To do this, you must be on the territory of the state for at least 10 years.Years of study are also included in this period.
The procedure for obtaining citizenship will be simplified, since it is assumed that students already know the Montenegrin language, which means they do not need to pass the exam. Such rules apply only to students who study in higher education institutions.
In what cases is dual citizenship possible?
The Balkan Republic has a negative attitude towards obtaining dual citizenship. If a foreigner does not want to give up citizenship of the state in which he originally lived, then he cannot become an indigenous to Montenegro.
Therefore, a citizen should make a choice, write an official refusal at the embassy, or give up the idea of obtaining citizenship in a Balkan country.
This rule does not apply to individuals investing in the country's economy.
Procedure
There are several stages of action. Their consistent and careful implementation guarantees the achievement of the set goal.
Documents and requirements for them
Initially, you need to correctly form a package of documents. To successfully obtain citizenship, you must provide the following papers:
- A document confirming the fact that an individual has been on the territory of Montenegro continuously for 10 years or 5 years, if we are talking about those who have married a citizen of the Balkan Republic, that is, without long-term flights to their homeland. Such a document can be obtained from the nearest police station at the place of residence;
- It is necessary to provide a written confirmation from the embassy of the home state that the citizen has asked for renunciation of citizenship and is no longer a citizen;
- A certificate from the official place of work in Montenegro is provided, proving that the citizen has an official source of existence;
- A document that is received at the police station and which proves that the citizen has no criminal record and was not prosecuted;
- It is necessary to immediately draw up an application for an exam on the knowledge of the Montenegrin language. The earlier the document is drawn up, the earlier the applicant will be put in the queue for testing;
- National passport;
- International passport;
- Receipt-payment of the state duty in the amount of 15 euros for the manufacture of a passport of Montenegro;
- Certificate confirming the payment of tax in the amount of 25 euros.
Where to contact
The package of documents must be submitted in person. At the same time, submission through friends, acquaintances is not welcome here. Procedure:
- You can appear at the nearest visa center or migration office, which is located in every major city in Montenegro;
- Upon arrival, the applicant is photographed;
- Take fingerprints;
- Take an electronic signature sample;
- After the employee has received the documents, the citizen is issued a certificate confirming the submission of papers;
- The decision will be made within 20 to 40 days. During this time, requests will be sent to the police or the national security agency of the state, on the basis of which a decision will be made.
If an individual has additional questions, he will be invited for an interview. If the answer was yes, the citizen will be given a plastic card. It will display personal data and a photo.
Cost and terms
The term for obtaining citizenship is about 40 days. That is a month and a half. However, the time frame may vary depending on the prevailing situation. For some, the procedure for obtaining citizenship takes several months, as it requires clarification of some data.
The state fee for obtaining a passport is 15 euros. Tax - 25 euros... This means that, on average, self-registration of all the bureaucratic subtleties will cost at 40 euros.
However, if there is no time to go to the authorities, you can entrust this procedure to the company, which takes care of all the hassle of filling out and submitting documents. The price list of services of such firms fluctuates from 200 to 300 euros for each person.
Possible reasons for refusal and what to do
Refusal may follow if:
- The National Security Agency of Montenegro considers that such a citizen may damage the image and measured life in the country;
- One of the above conditions is not met. In such a situation, you can apply to the European Court of Human Rights, but only if you are fully confident that you are right.
If the refusal was reasoned, then, unfortunately, the idea of obtaining citizenship will have to be abandoned.
Conclusion
Obtaining citizenship of Montenegro is possible through naturalization, marriage with a local resident, making investments, starting a business and other methods. Almost any Russian can achieve the desired result if he carefully reads the legislation of Montenegro.
