Changes to the Law on Foreigners in 2026

At the end of 2025, the Parliament of Montenegro approved a major package of amendments to the Law on Foreigners, which significantly change the rules of stay of foreign citizens in the country and the procedure for obtaining residence permits. Some of these changes have already entered into force or will become effective from the beginning of 2026, and they reflect the government's desire to strengthen control over migration, harmonize legislation with European standards and stimulate real economic activity of foreigners.

One of the key innovations is the introduction of a minimum threshold for the cost of real estate, on the basis of which you can get temporary accommodation. Previously, foreigners could apply for a residence permit with any housing, but now the property must cost at least two hundred thousand euros to obtain a temporary residence permit on this basis.

Another important change concerns foreigners who apply for a residence permit through doing business. The law requires companies founded by foreigners to have real business activities and create jobs for Montenegrin citizens. This principle is aimed at preventing fictitious registration of enterprises just for the sake of obtaining a residence permit, as well as increasing the participation of foreign capital in the local economy. In previous versions of the law, it was possible to obtain a residence permit by owning a company without actual employees, but the new requirements provide for the mandatory presence of at least three full-time employees.

At the same time, the amendments additionally introduce a requirement for foreign entrepreneurs to regularly pay taxes, which is designed to strengthen fiscal discipline and eliminate abuse of the residence permit system. According to the updated version of the rules, foreigners can extend a temporary residence permit only if they pay tax in the amount of at least 5,000 euros per year, and the obligation to have three employees for renewal is replaced by an alternative condition for paying taxes and social contributions.

The amendments also strengthen control over the activities of foreign companies in Montenegro. As part of the exchange of information between the tax administration and the police, the authorities were able to inspect non-operating companies and initiate procedures to revoke residence permits issued on the basis of such enterprises. This is part of an effort to eliminate fictitious employment and fictitious legal forms in order to obtain a long-term stay in the country.

The Government and Parliament also revised the rules on short-term stays and visas in the context of migration policy and the move towards European Union standards. This includes reducing the permitted period of visa-free stay for citizens of countries outside the EU visa policy from ninety to thirty days, as well as measures to strengthen control over the stay of foreigners in the country.

The amendments provoked different reactions among foreign citizens and the business community. Some believe that stricter conditions may lead to a decrease in the attractiveness of Montenegro as a place for investment and residence, especially for those who expected to obtain a residence permit through minimal investments or fictitious business activities. Others point out that the changes are aimed at strengthening economic sustainability and socio-economic integration of foreigners into Montenegrin society.

In general, the adopted changes are becoming an important milestone in the development of the country's migration policy. They are aimed at creating a clearer, more coordinated and transparent system for regulating the stay of foreigners, taking into account both the interests of the state and the needs of investors and international specialists.

Since the adoption of by-laws is currently required for the application of this law, in our next articles we will discuss all the innovations in more detail, taking into account the clarifications received from the public services. Follow our publications or contact our specialists directly for advice.