Moving to Montenegro: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

609,859

Population Growth Rate

-0.56%

Urban Population

63.300000

Population in Major Urban Areas

PODGORICA (capital) 156,000

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Age Structure

15.130000

Median Age

38.700000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

11

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

9.17

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

39.4%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

39.4%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

26.3

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.3

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.070000

Ethnic Groups

Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma) 12%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

15.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

0.000000

Infant Mortality Rate

0.000000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

0.000000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

8

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.03

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

4

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

9.3%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

intermediate

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

91.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

2.2%

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Economic Overview

Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system.

Around 90% of Montenegrin state-owned companies have been privatized, including 100% of banking, telecommunications, and oil distribution.

Tourism, which accounts for more than 20% of Montenegro’s GDP, brings in three times as many visitors as Montenegro’s total population every year.

Several new luxury tourism complexes are in various stages of development along the coast, and a number are being offered in connection with nearby boating and yachting facilities.

In addition to tourism, energy and agriculture are considered two distinct pillars of the economy.

Only 20% of Montenegro’s hydropower potential is utilized.

Montenegro plans to become a net energy exporter, and the construction of an underwater cable to Italy, which will be completed by the end of 2018, will help meet its goal.

Montenegro uses the euro as its domestic currency, though it is not an official member of the euro zone.

In January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF, and in December 2011, the WTO.

Montenegro began negotiations to join the EU in 2012, having met the conditions set down by the European Council, which called on Montenegro to take steps to fight corruption and organized crime.

The government recognizes the need to remove impediments in order to remain competitive and open the economy to foreign investors.

Net foreign direct investment in 2017 reached $848 million and investment per capita is one of the highest in Europe, due to a low corporate tax rate.

The biggest foreign investors in Montenegro in 2017 were Norway, Russia, Italy, Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Montenegro is currently planning major overhauls of its road and rail networks, and possible expansions of its air transportation system.

In 2014, the Government of Montenegro selected two Chinese companies to construct a 41 km-long section of the country’s highway system, which will become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Cheaper borrowing costs have stimulated Montenegro’s growing debt, which currently sits at 65.9% of GDP, with a forecast, absent fiscal consolidation, to increase to 80% once the repayment to China’s Ex/Im Bank of a €800 million highway loan begins in 2019.

Montenegro first instituted a value-added tax (VAT) in April 2003, and introduced differentiated VAT rates of 17% and 7% (for tourism) in January 2006.

The Montenegrin Government increased the non-tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 21% as of January 2018, with the goal of reducing its public debt.

Industries

steelmaking, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$11,360,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$15,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$3,985,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 81.8% government
• consumption: 21.2% investment in fixed
• capital: 19.5% investment in
• inventories: -0.1% exports of goods and
• services: 42.1% imports of goods and
• services: -64.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

8.3%

GDP by Sector- Industry

21.2%

GDP by Sector- services

70.5%

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Inflation Rate

3.4%

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

Fiscal Year

Calendar

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

9.69%

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Labor Force

259,100

Unemployment Rate

14.7%

Major Industries

steelmaking, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism

Agriculture Products

• grains, tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes
• sheepherding
• commercial fishing negligible

Population Below Poverty Line

7%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

8,520

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

10%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

6.3%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

20.9%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

72.8%

Annual Budget

$0 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

2.2%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

37.2%

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Montenegro

Local - Long

none

Local - Short

Crna Gora

Former Name

People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro

Etymology- history of name

the country's name locally as well as in most Western European languages means "black mountain" and refers to the dark coniferous forests on Mount Lovcen and the surrounding area

Independence

• 3 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro)
• notable earlier dates: 13 March 1852 (Principality of Montenegro established)
• 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Montenegrin independence)
• 28 August 1910 (Kingdom of Montenegro established)

National Holiday

Statehood Day, 13 July (1878, the day the Berlin Congress recognized Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world, and 1941, the day the Montenegrins staged an uprising against fascist occupiers and sided with the partisan communist movement)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 22 October 2007
• amendments: proposed by the president of Montenegro, by the government, or by at least 25 members of the Assembly; passage of draft proposals requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, followed by a public hearing; passage of draft amendments requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; changes to certain constitutional articles, such as sovereignty, state symbols, citizenship, and constitutional change procedures, require three-fifths majority vote in a referendum; amended 2013

Legal System:

civil law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Jakov MILATOVIC (since 20 May 2023)
• head of government: Prime Minister Milojko SPAJIC (since 31 October 2023)
• cabinet: ministers act as cabinet
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 March 2023 with a runoff on 2 April 2023 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister nominated by the president, approved by the Assembly
• election results: 2023: Jakov MILATOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Milo DUKANOVIC (DPS) 35.4%, Jakov MILATOVIC (Europe Now!) 28.9%, Andrija MANDIC (DF) 19.3%, Aleksa BECIC (DCG) 11.1%, other 5.3%; percent of vote in second round - Jakov MILATOVIC 58.9%, Milo DUKANOVIC 41.1% 2018: Milo DJUKANOVIC elected president in first round; percent of vote - Milo DJUKANOVIC (DPS) 53.9%, Mladen BOJANIC (independent) 33.4%, Draginja VUKSANOVIC (SDP) 8.2%, Marko MILACIC (PRAVA) 2.8%, other 1.7%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Assembly or Skupstina (81 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 11 June 2023 (next to be held in June 2027)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party/coalition - Europe Now! 25.5%, Together! 23.2%, For the Future of Montenegro 14.7%, Aleksa and Dritan - Count Bravely 12.5%, BP 7.1%, SNP-DEMOS 3.1%, Albanian Forum 1.9%, HGI 0.7%; seats by party/coalition Europe Now! 24, Together! 21, For the Future of Montenegro 13, Aleksa and Dritan - Count Bravely 11, BP 6, SNP-DEMOS 2, Albanian Forum 2, Albanian Alliance 1, HGI 1;
• Composition: as of October 2023 - men 64, women 17, percent of women 21%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court president proposed by general session of the Supreme Court and elected by the Judicial Council, a 9-member body consisting of judges, lawyers designated by the Assembly, and the minister of judicial affairs; Supreme Court president elected for a single renewable, 5-year term; other judges elected by the Judicial Council for life; Constitutional Court judges - 2 proposed by the president of Montenegro and 5 by the Assembly, and elected by the Assembly; court president elected from among the court members; court president elected for a 3-year term, other judges serve 9-year terms
• subordinate courts: Administrative Courts; Appellate Court; Commercial Courts; High Courts; basic courts

Regions or States:

25 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Gusinje, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Tuzi, Ulcinj, Zabljak, Zeta

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Albanian Alliance (electoral coalition includes FORCA, PD, DSCG)
• Albanian Alternative or AA [Nik DELJOSAJ]
• Albanian Democratic League or LDSH [Nicola CAMAJ]
• Albanian Forum (electoral coalition includes AA, LDSH, UDSH)
• Aleksa and Dritan - Count Bravely! [Aleksa BECIC] (electoral coalition includes Democrats, URA)
• Bosniak Party or BS [Ervin IBRAHIMOVIC]
• Civic Movement United Reform Action or United Reform Action or URA [Dritan ABAZOVIC]
• Croatian Civic Initiative or HGI [Adrian VUKSANOVIC]
• Democratic Alliance or DEMOS [Miodrag LEKIC]
• Democratic League in Montenegro or DSCG [Mehmet BARDHI]
• Democratic Montenegro or Democrats [Aleksa BECIC]
• Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Danijel ZIVKOVIC, acting]
• Democratic People's Party or DNP [Milan KNEZEVIC]
• Democratic Union of Albanians or UDSH [Mehmet ZENKA]
• Europe Now! [Milojko SPAJIC]
• For the Future of Montenegro or ZBCG [Milan KNEZEVIC] (coalition includes NSD, DNP, RP)
• Liberal Party or LP [Andrija POPOVIC]
• New Democratic Power or FORCA [Nazif CUNGU]
• New Serb Democracy or NSD or NOVA [Andrija MANDIC]
• Social Democrats or SD [Damir SEHOVIC]
• Socialist People's Party or SNP [Vladimir JOKOVIC]
• Together! (electoral coalition includes DPS, SD, LP, UDSH)
• United Montenegro or UCG [Goran DANILOVIC] (split from DEMOS)
• Workers' Party or RP [Maksim VUCINIC]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Montenegro dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

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Capital Name

Podgorica; note - Cetinje retains the status of "Old Royal Capital"

Capital - geographic coordinate

42 26 N, 19 16 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• CE
• CEI
• EAPC
• EBRD
• FAO
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NATO
• OAS (observer)
• OIF (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• PFP
• SELEC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNHRC
• UNIDO
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Judy Rising REINKE (since 20 December 2018)
• Embassy: Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica
• Mailing Address: 5570 Podgorica Place, Washington DC 20521-5570
• Telephone: [382] (0) 20-410-500
• FAX: [382] (0) 20-241-358
• Email: PodgoricaACS@state.gov
• Website: https://me.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Linda CAMAJ (since 7 December 2023)
• Chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009
• Telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108
• FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109
• Email: usa@mfa.gov.me
• Consulate(s) General: New York

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

42 30 N, 19 18 E

Total Area

5,333 Square Miles 13,812 Square Kilometers

Land Area

5,194 Square Miles 13,452 Square Kilometers

Water Area

139 Square Miles 360 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

388 Miles 625 Kilometers

Border Countries

Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Serbia 203 km

Coastline

182 Miles 294 Kilometers

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Terrain

highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus

Highest Point

2,522 Meters

Highest Point Location

Bobotov Kuk

Lowest Point Location

Adriatic Sea

Natural Resources

bauxite, hydroelectricity

Irrigated Land

9 Square Miles 24 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland

Terrain

highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus

Location

Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia

Total Area

5,333 Square Miles 13,812 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Serbia 203 km

Environment - Current Issues

pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Exports

$171,300,000 (USD)

Imports

$601,700,000 (USD)

Top Export Partners

Switzerland 83.9%, Italy 6.1%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.3%

Top Import Partners

Greece 10.2%, Italy 10.2%, Germany 9.6%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.2%

Export Partners

Switzerland 83.9%, Italy 6.1%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.3%

Import Partners

Greece 10.2%, Italy 10.2%, Germany 9.6%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.2%

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Country Description

Montenegro is a small country in the Western Balkans that has experienced significant political and economic changes over the past two decades.

It is a parliamentary democracy aspiring to Euro-Atlantic integration via membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO.

There are many tourist facilities in Montenegro, but they vary in quality and some may not be up to Western standards.

Hotel accommodations are plentiful on the coast and in Podgorica, the capital, but limited in smaller towns, especially in the North.

English usage is limited except for Montenegro’s main tourist centers and the capital.

Safety & Security

Demonstrations related to political activities, labor conditions, or sporting events are usually peaceful, though some have exhibited low levels of violence.

Non-Montenegrins are rarely the target of violence, but there is always the danger of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

While most Montenegrins are open and hospitable to foreigners, visitors might encounter anti-foreign sentiment.

Montenegrin nightclubs are popular with foreign tourists; patrons should be aware that these establishments can be crowded and may not comply with Western standards for occupancy control and fire safety.

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Crime

Street crime in Podgorica is at a level to be expected for a small European city with fewer than 200,000 people.

Residential break-ins present the greatest security concern for U.S. citizens in Montenegro; however, the frequency of these crimes is still relatively low.

Violent crime is infrequent.

Police have a limited ability to provide services in English.

Cases of credit card fraud and theft at ATMs are minimal in the winter months, but there is a significant increase in theft at ATMs during the tourist season between May and September.

Visitors should ensure that they protect their PINs at all times when using ATMs, and monitor card activity.

Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Montenegro, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In Montenegro, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Likewise, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

There are also some things that might be legal in Montenegro, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Montenegro, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Persons violating Montenegrin laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Montenegro are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Carrying of weapons is forbidden.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Although many physicians in Montenegro are highly trained, hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped or maintained to Western standards.

Travelers may need to go to privately owned pharmacies in order to obtain medicines and basic medical supplies.

Hospitals and private clinics usually require payment in cash for all services.

Montenegro has only a small number of ambulances.

As a consequence, emergency services are generally responsive in only the most severe cases.

Otherwise, people must have their own transportation to hospitals and clinics.

Traffic Safety

• police: 122; fire
• department: 123; and
• ambulance: 124. Metered taxi service is safe and reasonably priced, although foreigners are sometimes charged higher rates. Although there are some taxi stands in each of the cities, taxis generally do not pick up passengers on the street and must be ordered by phone or SMS. We recommend negotiating a price prior to traveling by taxi between cities, although some taxi companies have a price list of most intercity destinations on a control board. Travelers in the region may wish to consider the safety of public transportation, including trains, buses, and ferries, in view of aging and poorly maintained equipment.

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Airports - total

5

Airports with Paved Runways

5

Heliports

1

Railways

155 Miles 250 Kilometers

Roadways- total

4,824 Miles 7,763 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

3,334 Miles 5,365 Kilometers

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Telephones

366,600

Cell Phones

643,700

Internet Users

280,000

Internet Country Code

.me

Internet Hosts

6,247

Broadcast Media

• state-funded national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks
• 4 public TV stations and some 20 private TV stations
• 14 local public radio stations and more than 40 private radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites
• domestic: GSM mobile-cellular service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing
• international: country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

18,600,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,864,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

4,446