--- title: "Montenegro Company owner permit requirements 2026: 1-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/entrepreneur-owner/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Montenegro · Business / Startup # Montenegro Company owner permit **First stay:** 1 yr Temporary residence and work permit for entrepreneurs and executive directors who own the company (Law on Foreigners, Arts. 69-70) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Record corrected 12 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-me-entrepreneur-owner) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Savings needed:** €20 a day ≈ $22 (Savings of at least EUR 20 a day (≈ $22) · Minimum means of subsistence for each day of the requested stay (Rulebook on permit forms and conditions, Art. 9, as amended in 2025). A fee of EUR 5,000 a year (≈ $5,590) · For each extension, not for the first permit: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 were paid in the year. It is tax and contributions paid, not an income test, and is not required of EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss nationals or their family members. A fee of EUR 60 (≈ $67) · Administrative fee for issuing a temporary residence and work permit (Tariff No. 13 of the Law on Administrative Fees). A fee of EUR 5 (≈ $6) · Fee for the permit form. A fee of EUR 2 (≈ $2) · Fee for the application.) - **First stay:** 1 yr (Permit issued for up to one year and extendable while the conditions are met.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to foreigners generally.) - **Family:** Family can join (Family members can apply for family reunification with a foreigner holding temporary residence.) ## Key facts Company owner permit is a business / startup route for Montenegro. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** €5,000+/yr ≈ $5,590 · +3 more - **Processing:** Up to 15 days - **First stay:** 1 yr ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 4 government fees listed below; decision: up to 15 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €5,000+/yr ≈ $5,590 · +3 more** - EUR 5,000 a year (≈ $5,590) For each extension, not for the first permit: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) were paid in the year. It is tax and contributions paid, not an income test, and is not required of EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss nationals or their family members. - EUR 60 (≈ $67) Administrative fee for issuing a temporary residence and work permit (Tariff No. 13 of the Law on Administrative Fees). - EUR 5 (≈ $6) Fee for the permit form. - EUR 2 (≈ $2) Fee for the application. **Shown, not spent: €20+/day ≈ $22** - EUR 20 a day (≈ $22) Minimum means of subsistence for each day of the requested stay (Rulebook on permit forms and conditions, Art. 9, as amended in 2025). **Renewal: Renewable** The permit is issued for up to one year and can be extended while the conditions are met. Apply to extend at least 30 days before expiry; since 2026 an extension must be on the same legal basis as the earlier permit. [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2026](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/389913/download) **Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence** You can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of continuous lawful temporary residence, with basic Montenegrin, sufficient income, health insurance and housing. Absences must total no more than 10 months, or one absence of up to 6 months. [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2026](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/389913/download) **Processing: Up to 15 days** A temporary residence and work permit application is decided within 15 days of a complete application (Art. 80(3) of the Law on Foreigners as amended in 2019, which shortened the period from 20 days). [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2019](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/336186/download) [Government of Montenegro, Single Contact Point for services](https://psc.gov.me/me/sektorske-informacije/ministarstvo-unutrasnjih-poslova/privremeni-boravak-i-rad-radna-dozvola) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Apply in person at the Ministry in your place of stay, or your employer applies; if you hold a long-stay D visa for work you must apply within 10 days of the visa being issued. [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) **Presence rules: Absence limits** Continuous residence for permanent residence allows several absences totalling up to 10 months, or one absence of up to 6 months, within the 5 years. [Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant is a registered entrepreneur in Montenegro or an executive director of a company of which the applicant is sole owner or owns more than 51% of the capital. - Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 43, including health insurance, accommodation and a valid passport. #### What you must show - Proof of means of support, together with the other Art. 43 evidence. - For extensions: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) were paid in the year (not needed for the first permit). #### Documents - Proof of ownership and registration of the entrepreneur or company. - Valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance and criminal record certificate from the country of origin. #### Steps 1. The employer's written offer, normally required for employment, is not needed for these applicants. 2. Apply in person at the Ministry of Internal Affairs unit in the place of residence; the decision is made within 15 days of a complete application. #### After you arrive - The permit can be issued outside the annual quota for foreign workers. - It can be extended for as long as the Art. 43 conditions are met and the tax and contribution proof is provided. - The EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) proof does not apply to EU citizens and their family members or to nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. ## What happens at day 183 How Montenegro decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 1 year at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in a tax year** Stay on Montenegrin territory of more than 183 days in the tax year makes a person resident. - **Foreign-source income:** Residents of Montenegro are taxed on income earned in Montenegro and abroad. [All tax rules for Montenegro](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Health insurance** Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 43, including health insurance, accommodation and a valid passport - **Accommodation** Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 43, including health insurance, accommodation and a valid passport - **Police certificate and civil documents** Valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance and criminal record certificate from the country of origin - **Money to show** This route asks for savings of €20+ a day ≈ $22. Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** Residence and work permit without an employer's offer for a foreigner who is a registered entrepreneur, or an executive director who is sole owner or owns more than 51% of a Montenegrin company. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) #### What you must show and pay - Savings of at least EUR 20 a day (≈ $22) · Minimum means of subsistence for each day of the requested stay (Rulebook on permit forms and conditions, Art. 9, as amended in 2025). (source 5) - A fee of EUR 5,000 a year (≈ $5,590) · For each extension, not for the first permit: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) were paid in the year. It is tax and contributions paid, not an income test, and is not required of EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss nationals or their family members. (source 3) - A fee of EUR 60 (≈ $67) · Administrative fee for issuing a temporary residence and work permit (Tariff No. 13 of the Law on Administrative Fees). (sources 7, 4) - A fee of EUR 5 (≈ $6) · Fee for the permit form. (source 4) - A fee of EUR 2 (≈ $2) · Fee for the application. (source 4) #### Requirements - Applicant is a registered entrepreneur in Montenegro or an executive director of a company of which the applicant is sole owner or owns more than 51% of the capital. (sources 2, 3) - Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 43, including health insurance, accommodation and a valid passport. (source 1) - Proof of means of support, together with the other Art. 43 evidence. (sources 1, 5) - For extensions: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) were paid in the year (not needed for the first permit). (source 3) - Proof of ownership and registration of the entrepreneur or company. (source 2) - Valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance and criminal record certificate from the country of origin. (sources 1, 6, 5) - The employer's written offer, normally required for employment, is not needed for these applicants. (source 2) - Apply in person at the Ministry of Internal Affairs unit in the place of residence; the decision is made within 15 days of a complete application. (source 1) - The permit can be issued outside the annual quota for foreign workers. (source 1) - It can be extended for as long as the Art. 43 conditions are met and the tax and contribution proof is provided. (source 3) - The EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) proof does not apply to EU citizens and their family members or to nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. (source 3) #### Stay - Permit issued for up to one year and extendable while the conditions are met. - First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Open to foreigners generally. #### Work Work in the own business or as executive director of the own company; the permit ties work to the registered activity. #### Family Family members can apply for family reunification with a foreigner holding temporary residence. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 12/18)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2018-02-23 2. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 3/19)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/336186/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2019 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2019-01-15 3. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 3/2026)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/389913/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2026 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-01-09 4. [Temporary residence and work (work permit)](https://psc.gov.me/me/sektorske-informacije/ministarstvo-unutrasnjih-poslova/privremeni-boravak-i-rad-radna-dozvola) · Government of Montenegro, Single Contact Point for services · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2024-04-26 5. [Rulebook amendment: daily means of support, minimum pay and health insurance (Official Gazette of Montenegro 12/25)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/378542/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2025 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2025-02-11 6. [Rulebook amendment: proof of accommodation (Official Gazette of Montenegro 145/22)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/292855/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 145/2022 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2022-12-27 7. [Law on Administrative Fees, Tariff No. 13: fees for permits for foreigners (adopted 6 March 2019)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334575/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro (Law proclaimed 11 March 2019) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2019-03-11 ## Company owner permit and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Company owner permit | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Company owner permit? Savings of at least EUR 20 a day (≈ $22). Minimum means of subsistence for each day of the requested stay (Rulebook on permit forms and conditions, Art. A fee of EUR 5,000 a year (≈ $5,590). For each extension, not for the first permit: proof that taxes and contributions of at least EUR 5,000 (≈ $5,590) were paid in the year. A fee of EUR 60 (≈ $67). Administrative fee for issuing a temporary residence and work permit (Tariff No. A fee of EUR 5 (≈ $6). Fee for the permit form. ### How long can I stay on the Company owner permit? Permit issued for up to one year and extendable while the conditions are met. ### How long does the Company owner permit take to process? A temporary residence and work permit application is decided within 15 days of a complete application (Art. ### Can I work on the Company owner permit? Work in the own business or as executive director of the own company; the permit ties work to the registered activity. ### Can I bring my family on the Company owner permit? Family members can apply for family reunification with a foreigner holding temporary residence. ### Does the Company owner permit lead to permanent residence in Montenegro? Time on the Company owner permit counts toward permanent residence in Montenegro, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. ### How are Company owner permit holders taxed in Montenegro? No special regime in our records is tied to the Company owner permit. The standard rules apply: Residents of Montenegro are taxed on income earned in Montenegro and abroad. From 1 January 2026 taxable employment income is taxed at 0% up to EUR 700 (≈ $780) a month, 9% from EUR 700.01 (≈ $780) to EUR 1,000 (≈ $1,120) and 15% above; employee social contributions are 10.5% (10% pension, 0.5% unemployment) and a municipal surtax of up to 13% of the tax (up to 15% in the Capital City and the Old Royal Capital) is added. ## More in Montenegro [Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/digital-nomad/) [Property owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/property-owner/) [Domestic work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/employment-domestic/) [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/employment/) [Healthcare work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/employment-healthcare/) [IT work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/employment-it/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/intra-company/) [Contracted services permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/contracted-services/) ## Business / startup visas elsewhere [🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 7 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 12/18)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334183/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2018 · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 3/19)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/336186/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2019 · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of Montenegro 3/2026)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/389913/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 3/2026 · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Temporary residence and work (work permit)](https://psc.gov.me/me/sektorske-informacije/ministarstvo-unutrasnjih-poslova/privremeni-boravak-i-rad-radna-dozvola) · Government of Montenegro, Single Contact Point for services · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Rulebook amendment: daily means of support, minimum pay and health insurance (Official Gazette of Montenegro 12/25)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/378542/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 12/2025 · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Rulebook amendment: proof of accommodation (Official Gazette of Montenegro 145/22)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/292855/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 145/2022 · checked 2026-10-11 7. [Law on Administrative Fees, Tariff No. 13: fees for permits for foreigners (adopted 6 March 2019)](https://www.sluzbenilist.me/propisi/334575/download) · Official Gazette of Montenegro (Law proclaimed 11 March 2019) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.