Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa
In this article
Montenegro is a Balkan nation with a growing digital nomadic population that can be traced to its
new visa innovation called the future digital nomad visa. The Montenegro digital nomad visa is a
temporal permit for non-EU remote workers employed in a foreign company outside Montenegro.
The perk of this visa is that it allows you to stay in the country longer than a tourist visa.
In addition to that, it poses an advantage for digital nomads and Montenegro itself because the
country is naturally attractive, remote work-friendly, and cost-effective compared to other
European countries.
Quick Insight Into Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa
The Montenegro digital nomad visa allows remote-working individuals (full-time staff, freelancers,
or business owners) who are not European Union citizens to live and work in Montenegro for a
stipulated period. Information about this visa hit the news when the Montenegrin government
announced it in late 2021, stating it would last until 2025.
The digital nomad visa application period is 30 days; once you get it, you can stay in the country
for four years. While there are only limited details about the visa, we expect it to kick off in 2023.
Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Anyone who is not a European Union citizen is eligible to apply for this nomad visa in Montenegro.
However, you must meet the following requirements:
- You should have travel insurance.
- You must have an onward or return ticket to show that you will travel back to your country once your stay expires.
- You should have a passport with up to 6 months of validity.
- You should have a valid email address.
- You should be a remote worker for or with a company outside Montenegro.
- You should have accommodation in Montenegro.
- You should have online platforms like Google Hangouts, Google Meet, Zoom, etc.
- You should have a Montenegrin mobile number.
- You should have an online payment system for receiving money.
How Long Can Digital Nomads Stay in Montenegro?
Digital nomads can stay for up to 2 years in Montenegro. Once the visa expires, they can
renew it for another 2 years. However, if they exhaust the extra 2 years, they will need
to leave the country for 6 months, after which they can be eligible to apply for the visa.
Some of the other digital nomad visas are issued for a shorter period of time, like the
Italian digital nomad visa, which is valid for
a year. The same goes for the Greek digital nomad visa-
it officially lasts for 12 months. On the other hand, some visas can’t be extended like the
Croatian remote workers’ visa.
Compared to these visas, the Montenegrian one has a significant advantage in terms of its
validity and renewal options.
How to Apply for a Visa?
The visa application process is not yet open but will be available soon. Nevertheless, you need to
know how it works and prepare for it.
- 1. Get all the required documents: You will need to have all your necessary documents for the application in one piece to ensure a smooth process. They include proof of income, proof of employment, your valid passport, etc. More details about them are explained in the next section.
- 2. Apply online: Log on to the Montenegrin website and fill in your details on the visa application form. After filling out the form, pay the visa fee and wait a few weeks for a confirmation email with instructions on your next steps.
- 3. Get your visa: Once your application is successful, you will have to get your visa at the Montenegrin consulate in your home country, bordering country, or the Montenegrin embassy. Go with every document you used for your application.
- 4. Travel to Montenegro: After getting your visa, you will need to travel to Montenegro and register your stay with the police within 24 hours.
What Are the Required Documents to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa?
These are the required documents to apply for the digital nomad visa.
- You will need to submit a verification certificate. This certificate is to prove that you have not been imprisoned for more than 6 months for any criminal offense in your country.
- You will need to prove that you are employed. Your proof should show that you are working for/with an establishment not located in Montenegro.
- You will need to provide evidence of your accommodation in the country. You can provide a document that shows that you have secured accommodation in Montenegro. An example is a lease or rental agreement.
- You will need to show your proof of income for the previous 12 months. The minimum income requirement is triple the country's minimum monthly wage, $494.62 x 3 = $1483.85.
- You will need to show your valid passport. Your passport needs to remain valid for up to six months.
- You will need to show evidence of travel insurance. Your travel insurance should cover your entire stay in the country.
- You will need to show proof of pension and health insurance in your country. Your health insurance should cover you throughout the 30 days application period.
How Much Does Digital Nomad Visa for Montenegro Cost?
Although there are no full details on the fees associated with the Montenegro digital nomad visa,
the visa application fee is speculated to be the same as other residence permits- 67 Euros ($73.64).
Other fees that may follow include document translation, local health insurance, notarization, etc.
It is important to note that this information is subject to change since the visa has yet to be
fully rolled out.
Taxes for Digital Nomads in Montenegro
Montenegro has a more convenient taxation system compared to other countries in Europe. The country
has an income tax rate of 9% for salaries less than $824.36 monthly and 11% for any above.
While there is little known information about the taxation system for digital nomads in Montenegro,
there are speculations that the new digital nomad visa may allow tax breaks and exclude digital
nomads from paying personal income tax for the first visa validity period. We implore that you
stay tuned for more updates.
Essential Information for Digital Nomads
Montenegro is an untapped jewel in the European continent. Here is vital information you should
know before traveling.
Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa Pros
Here are the advantages of this visa for digital nomads:
- 1. The visa allows you, as a remote worker, to stay in Montenegro for up to one year.
- 2. Montenegro has a good internet infrastructure, making it remote work-friendly.
- 3. Montenegro has a low cost and high standard of living.
- 4. Montenegro has stunning natural beauty.
- 5. Montenegro has a rich history and robust culture.
- 6. Montenegrin locals are friendly and speak English.
Living Costs
Montenegro's low cost of living is one of the perks attracting digital nomads. It is much more
affordable in comparison to some of the other European countries with digital nomad visas.
If you are eating out, a mid-range (3-course) meal costs $43.97, 0.5-liter domestic beer costs
$2.75, and 0.33-liter Pepsi costs $2.28.
You can easily put a home meal together as an egg crate costs $2.53, a 500g-loaf of white bread
costs $1.23, 1 kg of rice costs $1.81, and a kilogram of beef round costs $9.63.
Living in Montenegro's city center and its outskirts easily falls within budget. A single-bedroom
flat in the city center costs $628.71 while outside the city center costs $459.44.
Montenegro doesn't only have an impressive transport system, but a cheap one. A one-way ticket
costs $1.10, and a monthly regular pass costs $32.97. You are also at an advantage if you're driving
because petrol and diesel cost $1.64 and $1.69 per liter.
Internet Quality
Montenegro has an improving internet connection. Over 70% of the population has access to an internet
connection with download speeds of up to 59Mbps and upload speeds of 14Mbps. However, the internet
speed in the country varies as some places have slower speeds than others.
Best Places to Live in
These are some of the best places for digital nomads to live in Montenegro:
- 1. Kotor: Kotor is a picturesque coastal town known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and variety of coworking spaces and cafes with high-speed internet.
- 2. Budva: This digital nomad community is another popular coastal region with amazing beaches and a Mediterranean climate. The town has a growing community of remote workers and offers several cafes with high-speed internet.
- 3. Podgorica: Podgorica is Montenegro's capital and biggest city. The city is home to several universities and a range of coworking spaces, cafes, and other amenities that suit remote workers.
- 4. Herceg Novi: Herceg Novi is a coastal town known for its scenic hiking trails, Mediterranean lifestyle, and affordable cost of living. The town offers several coworking spaces and cafes with high-speed internet.
- 5. Ulcinj: Ulcinj is a southern town known for its sandy beaches and robust culture. It is a comfortable place for nomadic workers in every aspect.
Popular Coworking Spaces
Montenegro has a good and increasing number of coworking spaces. The most popular of them include:
- 1. Porto Montenegro Yacht Club
- 2. Regus Podgorica City Centre
- 3. Impact Hub Podgorica
- 4. Hive Coworking Space
- 5. Industry 4.0 Hub
Digital Nomad Visa in Montenegro: Summary
The digital nomadic visa is easy to get and relatively affordable. It allows you to stay in the
country for up to four years while enjoying its richness. There is only limited information about
this visa in Montenegro at the moment. However, we will share more details as we receive them.
FAQs
Is Montenegro good for digital nomads?
When considering the cost of living, natural scene, amenities, and internet speed, Montenegro is appropriate for digital nomads.Can I bring my family under Montenegro digital nomad visa?
Your family members can obtain digital nomad visas. However, they'll have to apply through the family unification option.What is the processing time for a digital nomad visa in Montenegro?
On most occasions, the processing time for a digital nomad visa in Montenegro is 30 days.
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