What is the legal base of application to Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission (a.k.a. Montenegro Citizenship by Investment)
Acquisition of Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission is a legal process of naturalization for foreign nationals in Montenegro pursuant to the Article 3a paragraph 2 of the Decision on the Criteria for Determining Scientific, Business, Economic, Cultural and Sports Interest of Montenegro. The decision has been published at the Official Gazette of Montenegro (34/10, 40/16 and 62/18) and adopted by the Government of Montenegro on 22 November 2018.
This decision outlines the criteria, method and procedure for selection of persons who may acquire Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission by means of special investment program that contributes to the business and economic development of Montenegro.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Investors applying Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission (a.k.a. Montenegro Citizenship by Investment)
An applicant may acquire Montenegrin citizenship by admission on the basis of a special investment program if:
- The applicant pays the application-processing fee
· EUR 15,000for the main applicant;
· EUR 10,000for each family member, up to four members ;
· EUR 50,000for each next family member.
- The applicant makes a contribution of EUR 100,000
- The applicant makes an investment in some of the government approved development projects for the minimum amount of;
· EUR 450,000 in the Capital of Podgorica or the coastal region of Montenegro OR
· EUR 250,000 in the northern or central region of Montenegro.
Moreover, the applicant shall not been sentenced in Montenegro or another state by a final and binding court decision to an unconditional prison sentence of more than one year for a criminal offense. Last, the international due diligence agent has given a positive opinion on the applicant, his family members as well as his source of funds that will be used for investment and payments in Montenegro.
What are the eligibility criteria for Investment Projects ?
The Montenegrin Government identified two major areas for investment that is considered eligible for the citizenship application under the Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission program.
1) Development projects in tourism
The tourism development projects are the construction of a hotels and mixed-type complex projects (such as hotel apartments).
- For the Capital of Podgorica and in the Coastal Regions; the projects shall be five star rated, requiring a necessary minimum of investment in the amount of EUR 15,000,000, having at least 60 accommodation units and employing at least 80 employees;
- For the Northern and Central Regions; the projects shall be four star rated, requiring minimum investment in the amount of EUR 5,000,000, having at least 35 accommodation units and employing at least 25 employees.
2) Development projects in agriculture and processing industry
Development projects in agriculture and processing industry are considered to be the following:
- Projects in the field of agriculture, which meet the conditions determined by the public administration body in charge of agriculture and rural development;
- Projects in the field of processing industry, meeting the conditions determined by the public administration body in charge of economy.
The eligible projects will be published by the relevant government authorities.
Which family members shall be included in the application for Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission?
Family members who are eligible for the Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission shall be considered as below:
- Married spouse;
- Applicant’s children who turned 18 years of age, who are dependent on the applicant
- Applicant’s children under 18 years of age
What are the required documents for the application to Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission?
- Certified copies of passports and ID cards,
- Birth certificates,
- Marriage certificates,
- Health insurance valid in Montenegro
- Medical certificate confirming that the applicant and the family members do not suffer from contagious diseases