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GLOBAL CITIZEN
Discover the power of a second citizenship.
Live the life you were destined to live through our Citizenship by Investment programmes
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Montenegro
citizenship
travelling to the Schengen countries and living by the seaside
€472,000Investment amount 6 monthsObtaining period Government-approvedInvestment program
In July 2018, the government of Montenegro announced the launch of the country’s citizenship by investment program. The first applications for obtaining Montenegrin passports by investment were accepted in January 2019.
Investors pass Due Diligence, make a non-refundable contribution to a government fund, and buy a share in a government-approved real estate project — a resort or hotel. In return, the applicants and their family members get Montenegro citizenship.
Investors don’t have to take language proficiency tests and history, and they do not have to live in Montenegro.
Benefits of Montenegro citizenship
1. Visa-free travel to the Schengen area, UAE and SingaporeMontenegro citizens travel to 123 countries visa-free. They can spend up to 90 days in half a year in a Schengen country. However, starting from May 2023, entry to the Schengen area is only possible with a special permit got through the ETIAS system.2. Moving to Montenegro or creating a “safe haven”Montenegro passport holders can visit the country at any time, even if its borders are closed. They can stay or live in Montenegro permanently. In contrast, tourists from most countries can stay in Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 consecutive days.3. Getting an E-2 business visa to the USAMontenegro citizens can apply for an E-2 visa, which allows them to live and work in the USA. Applicants need to establish or buy a business in the United States. The investment amount usually starts at $100,000.4. Tax optimizationIndividuals pay the income tax at the rate of 9% in Montenegro.
Who can get Montenegro citizenship
- Over 18 years old
- No criminal record or prosecution
- Passed Due Diligence
- Capable of confirming the legality of the income
Spouse
Including same-sex couples
Children under 18
Children over 18
- Financially dependent on the investor
Investment options for Montenegro citizenship
1 Option €472,000+The investor fulfils two financial conditions: makes a non-refundable contribution of €200,000 in a specially created state fund and buys a share in a real estate project worth €250,000.
The real estate project must be government-approved and located in the northern or central part of Montenegro, except the capital city of Podgorica. The list of qualifying projects includes resort complexes and hotels.
Non refundable contribution
Investor
€200,000
Married couple
€200,000
Family of 4
€200,000
Family of 5 or more
€200,000
Real estate investment
€250,000
€250,000
€250,000
€250,000
Due Diligence
€7,000
€10,000
€10,000
€10,000
For a family of up to 4 people
€1,500
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th
Administrative fee
€15,000
€15,000
For the investor
€10,000
For the spouse
€25,000
For the spouses
€10,000
For each of the remaining 2 family members
€15,000
For the investor
€10,000
For each of the other 3 family members
€50,000
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th
2 Option €672,000+
If the investor buys a share in a real estate project located in the capital or by the seaside, the minimum cost for the property is €450,000. The rest of the financial conditions remain the same.
Real state investment
Investor
€450,000
Married couple
€450,000
Family of 4
€450,000
Family of 5 or more
€450,000
Non refundable contribution
€200,000
€200,000
€200,000
€200,000
Due Diligence
€7,000
€10,000
€10,000
€10,000
for a family of up to 4 people
€1,500
for each additional applicant starting from the 5th
Administrative fee
€15,000
€15,000
for the investor
€10,000
for the spouse
€25,000
for the spouses
€10,000
each for the remaining 2 family members
€15,000
for the investor
€10,000
For each of the other 3 family members
€50,000
For each additional applicant starting from the 5th
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Montenegro citizenship
1. Preliminary Due Diligence
2. Remote selection of a real estate project
1. Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer conducts almost the same Due Diligence check as the government CBI units. The preliminary check allows lawyers to identify any potential red flags and reduce the risk of a citizenship application being rejected to 1%.
The preliminary Due Diligence at Mckhavens consulting is mandatory and conducted before signing an agreement with the investor. If we discover any risks, the lawyers propose a solution: for example, to participate in another program or attach additional documents to the application.
The preliminary Due Diligence is confidential. You won’t need many documents — the passport is enough.
2. Remote selection of a real estate project
Mckhavens consulting’s Real Estate Department selects several projects from the list of government-approved properties.
The investor chooses a project and concludes a purchase agreement on a project’s share.
7. Passport renewal
7. Passport renewal
Montenegrin passports are valid for 10 years and renewed according to the standard procedure. The investor and their family members come to Montenegro and pay the government fee of €35 for each passport renewal.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs accepts applications for passport renewals.
3. Collection of documents and opening a bank account
4. Payment of fees and making investments
3. Collection of documents and opening a bank account
The investor gets a list of documents that must be attached to the application for Montenegro citizenship. Mckhavens consulting’s lawyers fill out the government forms and translate and notarize the documents.
Mckhavens consulting opens two escrow accounts in Montenegro for the investor. One account is for making a non-refundable contribution, and the second is for buying a share in the real estate project.
The collection of the documents and the opening of bank accounts coincide with selecting a suitable property.
4. Payment of fees and making investments
The investor transfers €200,000 to the escrow account of the state fund and €250,000 or €450,000 to the escrow account of the real estate developer. The bank releases the payments only after the application for Montenegro citizenship is approved. Otherwise, the money is returned to the investor.
The investor also pays Due Diligence and administrative fees. The fees are not refundable, and the exact amount depends on the number of applicants.
5. Application submission and approval
6. Obtaining passports
5. Application submission and approval
The lawyers submit the investor’s application with the required documents, including proof of payments. The CBI unit processes the application within three months.
The CBI unit notifies Mckhavens consulting of the application pre-approval. The bank transfers the money from the investor’s escrow accounts to the fund and developer’s settlement accounts. After that, the CBI unit gives its final approval and invites the applicants for fingerprinting.
6. Obtaining passports
The investor and their family come to Montenegro and submit their fingerprints. The lawyers book an appointment for fingerprinting in advance.
Passports are issued 24 hours after fingerprinting. The investor and their family members collect the passports in person.
Citizenship and Mckhavens consulting stay with you
Montenegrin passports need to be regularly renewed. Over time, other needs may also arise: getting a passport for a newborn child or becoming a tax resident. See how Mckhavens consulting can help you.
Our lawyers help investors renew their Montenegrin passports every 10 years.
Getting citizenship for children
We help a newborn child obtain citizenship if at least one parent is a Montenegrin citizen.
Replacement of the passport in case of its loss
We prepare an application for a passport replacement and keep an eye on it until you receive a new one.
We help our clients choose a finished apartment or buy a property under construction and follow up on the deal.
We help obtain a tax number if the investor spends more than 183 days a year in Montenegro.
We prepare the required documents and fill out the forms.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Who can obtain Montenegro citizenship by investment?
Investors over 18 years old can obtain citizenship by investment if they have:
- passed the government’s Due Diligence check;
- no criminal record;
- a proven legal income source outside Montenegro.
The investor’s spouse, including same-sex partners, can also participate in the Montenegro citizenship by investment program.
The investor’s children under 18 and financially dependent children over 18 can also be included in the application.
How much to invest in getting Montenegro citizenship?
How much to invest in getting Montenegro citizenship?
The investor needs to fulfil two financial conditions: make a non-refundable contribution of €200,000 to the state fund and buy a share in a government-approved real estate project, usually resort complexes or hotels.
If the real estate project is located in the north of the country, the minimum investment is €250,000, and if it is in the coastal region or capital, the minimum investment is €450,000. See the list of government-approved real estate projects.
The investor also pays Due Diligence and administrative fees. The exact amount of expenses depends on the number of applicants.
Is it possible to return the invested money?
The contribution to the state fund of €200,000 is non-refundable. However, the property share can be subsequently sold, and the money returned to the investor.
The Due Diligence and administration fees are non-refundable.
How can I be sure that I will get Montenegro citizenship?
No one can guarantee that you will obtain citizenship by investment. Moreover, if a company claims a 100% guarantee, you probably deal with scammers.
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence to reduce rejection risks to 1%. Investor’s documents are checked by a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer who knows the nuances of Due Diligence in different countries. If any issues are revealed, we search for a solution: add specific documents or offer another program.
What duties arise after obtaining Montenegro citizenship?
Investors are not obliged to live in Montenegro and pass a language proficiency test or a history exam. The main obligation is not to violate Montenegro’s laws and renew the passport every 10 years.
It is also essential to remember that Montenegro does not usually allow second or multiple citizenships. However, the government has made an exception for investors who participate in the country’s CBI program.
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Matthew Oke Havens
Senior Consultant & Partner (Africa)