Montenegro is known as a stunning summer and winter destination because of its sun-drenched beaches, amazing mountains and right now, the best place to get citizenship by investment.
And if you're thinking, why Montenegro, it's not in the EU, then you'll be happy to hear that in only a few years from now, they will be part of the EU. Today, you can purchase a CBI for a fraction of the cost of other EU countries that offer this type of program.
But only for another few months...
Montenegro is a small country in the southeast of Europe, next to Croatia and opposite Italy on the Balkan Peninsula and is known for its natural beauty. Montenegro sits on the Adriatic Sea with a Mediterranean feel, meaning people are loud and love to show their affection openly. The terrain ranges from high mountains along its borders with Kosovo and Albania, through a small part of the Karst region of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only 1 to 4 miles (2 to 6 km) wide.
One of the main reasons why so many of my clients chose Montenegro is the climate. The lower area has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild, slightly rainy winters. The capital, Podgorica, is at sea level and has the most beautiful weather during the summer and the mountain regions receive more rainfall than most other countries in Europe.
Due to its physical position within Europe, the ethnic composition is wide and varied. 45% are Montenegrin, 29% are Serbians, and 12% are Bosniak/Muslim. The small remainder are split between Albanian and undeclared.
Map of Montenegro
Perhaps you are wondering how to acquire citizenship in a country without having any blood or territorial connection and that's a valid question. The citizenship by investment program exists for this purpose.
A citizenship by investment program is a legal process that enables individuals to acquire citizenship or residency in another country by investing a specific amount of money into the country's economy. The investment could be in the form of a business investment, purchase of real estate, or making a donation to a government fund.
These programs are typically offered by countries to attract foreign investment and can have varying requirements and benefits. The benefits of obtaining citizenship through such programs include a new passport, the opportunity to live and work in the country, and potential tax benefits. Some investment citizenship programs allow you to include your family members in the program as well, but to be sure, you need to consult the legislation of each country.
The Montenegro passport has visa-free access on arrival to 123 countries and 13 territories, making it the 43rd most powerful passport worldwide. It means you will be able to enter these countries without any restrictions for a short stay.
Montenegro is a leading candidate for EU accession; at that point, all its passport holders will get visa-free access to all Schengen countries. Not only will they be able to travel there, but also settle, work and study in any European country.
Although geographically in Europe, Montenegro is not part of the EU. Accession into the EU is expected soon, around 2025.
Other reasons to obtain a Montenegro CBI:
The Government launched the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program in 2019 as part of its ongoing efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and increase economic activity in the country.
Montenegro will terminate its Citizenship by Investment program as of December 31st, 2022; however, they will continue to receive applicants for the program until the set date only.
Town of Kotor, Montenegro
You can receive a CBI in Montenegro by:
One investing in one of several government-approved real estate development projects.
The investments range from €250,000 ($264,862 USD) in the northern and central region, excluding Podgorica, to €450,000 ($476,752 USD) in the coastal region or in the capital city of Podgorica.
Plus an additional government donation of €200,000 ($211,890 USD) is required, plus application and due diligence fees.
The government contribution of €200,000 ($211,890 USD) looks like this:
*Legal Fees and additional expenses are not included in these Investment Options
To submit the application for citizenship by investment, you, as the main applicant, must make sure that you meet all the requirements and that you have some mandatory documents, which are as follows:
Related content: Antigua & Barbuda - How To Get A Second Passport
If you are interested in a paradise to rest, work or invest, Montenegro's citizenship by investment program may be the good fit for you. There are many advantages of living in the country and acquiring its citizenship, and luckily, the country allows you to have dual citizenship, so you won't need to give up your current citizenship to officially become a citizen of Montenegro.
I help my clients to move offshore for freedom, privacy and autonomy by focusing on the immigration, legal, and tax issues that you will face when becoming an expat. If you would like to work one-on-one with me on getting out of your home country (or setting up a Plan-B location), then read this important letter and fill in an application form to become a Private Client. My fees are not cheap; however, I can assure you that when you work with a professional firm like ours, the results will be worth it.
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Written by Mikkel Thorup
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