Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa [2023]

Hooray! A new digital nomad visa program in southeastern Europe has been announced. Yes, I am talking about Montenegro’s program which is about to attract digital nomads worldwide.

The application process should have already started but has experienced some delays. It is however not clear when the Montenegro digital nomad visa program will finally start. Once the government gives the green light, we will be the first to let you know.

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa is a new visa category designed especially for remote workers. In that sense, it is nested somewhere between the traditional tourist visa and a residence permit. It allows the digital nomad to stay and work in a country for up to one or two years, depending on the program.

Many European countries have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and introduce their digital nomad visa. Montenegro is one of them and wants to target remote workers who can perform their jobs with just their laptop computers.

The Benefits

If you visit Montenegro you will immediately realize that it is a great option for remote work and just a pleasant country to spend one year or two years in.

In the South, you have the clear Adriatic Sea with its lovely beaches and cozy coastal towns. In the North, you have wild nature like the ‘Tara River’ and ‘Durmitor National Park’.

Even though Montenegro is located in the middle of Europe, it comes at a very affordable cost, and the cost of living will be probably much cheaper than in your home country. Further, Montenegro is a very safe country with a low crime rate. Strolling alone at night does not feel uncomfortable here.

Montenegro has a strong coffee culture, similar to Italy, and finding an internet connection in one of the countless cafes or restaurants is easy. Internet speed is decent all over the country. See below the results of a test I ran in a random cafe while writing this article.

Mobile internet speeds are decent as well. I usually get around 100 Mbps (or more) when using a mobile Wifi router of my phone. Another plus is that mobile data comes cheap in Montenegro. As a starter, you can buy a sim card in one of the kiosks or petrol stations for about 10 – 15 Euros. These ‘tourist packages’ come with 200GB, 500GB, or 1000GB of data and are valid for up to one month.

[Not] Paying personal income tax

Another benefit is that all earnings from your activity as a digital nomad do not fall under the income tax regime in Montenegro. In translation, this means that you do not have to file any tax returns for the entirety of your stay.

While your income tax rate in Montenegro is zero percent you will very likely be taxed in the country of your main residency and will have to pay income tax and social contributions. As a US citizen, for example, you must still file your tax return in the United States. Self-employed digital nomads may have to pay social security tax in the USA.

Kotor or Budva?

Most digital nomads who enter Montenegro for the first time will probably end up either in Kotor or Budva. These are small towns along Montenegro’s coast blessed by a mild Mediterranean climate. Both places show a strong seasonal pattern of tourism with thousands visiting during the summer months and only a handful during winter.

Budva is significantly livelier throughout the year but will maybe be too active for some, especially in July and August. Kotor Old Town is a UNESCO world heritage site and attracts many cruise ship tourists similar to Dubrovnik or Venice. Apart from the historic city center, it has beautiful places around such as Perast (12km).

In recent years, Tivat and Podgorica have also succeeded in attracting digital nomads. Podgorica is the capital city and largest city in Montenegro with a growing digital nomad community and is more than a good alternative to the coastal towns during winter time.

Coworking Spaces

Kotor and Budva

• Kotor Nest serves both as a Coliving and Coworking space amid the old town
• Budva: AdriaHub
• Budva: itbranch.house
• Budva: Umbrella

Tivat

• Innovation Center Porto Montenegro
• Arsenal Business Club
• Ozana Business Club
• Sedam Petaka Coworking
• Playworking

source: Porto Montenegro

Montenegro’s capital Podgorica

• Mtel Digitalna Fabrika in the city center
• Work Hub Montenegro
• Nest Coworking

Montenegro Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

The first requirement to participate in Montenegro’s digital nomad scheme is to:

(A) be employed by a foreign company

(B) be self-employed offering digital services through your own company that is not registered in Montenegro

Your visa applications can be approved if your monthly net salary exceeds 2,340 Euros per month. You need to prove this by showing your income and/or bank statements. 

Digital nomad visas will be handled the same as applications for temporary residence permits. The only additional document would be the proof of income.

Here is the list of required documents:

• valid passport exceeding the validity period of the visa by three months
• health insurance
• criminal record certificate from home country, not older than 6 months with Apostille
• proof of accommodation in Montenegro: notarized lease agreement or confirmation from a registered hotel over a period of intended stay

Why a residence permit is the better choice for some

Changing locations too frequently can become tiresome especially if you have a family with children. That is why some nomads look for a place where they can spend more than just a couple of weeks/months at a time. Montenegro in that sense can be thought of as the perfect country to base yourself in for an extended period.

European Union countries such as Austria, Italy, and Croatia can be reached within one hour by airplane. There are direct flights to the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and many more.

Digital nomads who fall in love with the country and who want to plan a couple of years, do not like to be limited by any stay requirements and the visa program’s end date in December 2025. 

The digital nomad visa is not the right choice if you think of starting a family soon. Get a residence permit instead. A temporary permit can be obtained either through company formation or through buying property. Both options can lead to permanent residency after five years.

Other benefits of having a temporary residence permit in Montenegro are that you can:

• register a car in your name
• get a debit card/credit card
• become a Montenegrin tax resident and choose to pay your income tax in Montenegro (15%)