Montenegro Citizenship - Eligibility and Application

There are several ways to obtain citizenship in Montenegro in 2026. Discover them below and rely on our local lawyers for support in checking the eligibility criteria and submitting your application.

Quick Facts
Applicable law	Montenegrin Nationality Act
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)	Both EU and non-EU qualify for citizenship in Montenegro
Minimum age for application	– a person must be 18 at the time of the application; – minors can be represented by parents or legal guardians.
Dual citizenship availability (YES/NO)	Only with countries with which Montenegro has agreements with
Living requirements in Montenegro (Yes/No)	Yes, based on a permanent residence permit
Direct citizenship option	Yes, through naturalization
Ways to obtain Montenegrin citizenship	– naturalization, – marriage, – descent.
Living requirement for citizenship by naturalization	10 years
Citizenship by investment availability (YES/NO)	No, the program has been terminated.
Documents to obtain citizenship by naturalization	– valid residence permit, – passport copy, – application form, – birth certificate, – marriage certificate (if available).
Timeframe to obtain a Montenegrin passport	Approx. 4 weeks
Benefits after obtaining Montenegrin citizenship	– access to the labor market, – access to healthcare and education, – voting rights, etc.
Fastest route to citizenship in Montenegro	Descent, as it is automatically recognized.
Best ways to obtain citizenship	Naturalization and descent
Support in applying for citizenship (YES/NO)	Yes, we can assist those applying for citizenship in Montenegro.

What are the main ways to obtain Montenegrin citizenship?

The following:

naturalization, which implies living in Montenegro for an established period, and is the common pathway for citizenship;
birth, which is available for people born or found in Montenegro whose parents are unknown, of unknown citizenship or stateless
origin or descent, which is awarded based on kinship with a Montenegrin citizen;
citizenship based on international treaties.

Our immigration lawyers in Montenegro can assist with the application for each type of citizenship.

What are the conditions to obtain citizenship by naturalization in Montenegro?

Here are the requirements to meet if you want to apply for citizenship by naturalization in Montenegro:

the most important condition is to have lived in Montenegro for at least 10 years based on a residence permit;
the applicant must also have a stable source of income in Montenegro;
the applicant must have a good command of the Montenegrin language;
the applicant must not have been convicted of any criminal offense in Montenegro or another country.

The foreign citizen must also be allowed to apply for another citizenship in his/her country of origin.

Additional requirements apply to all categories of applicants. For instance, those who have obtained long-term residency and have lived in Montenegro for 5 years must know that they have the right to be absent for no more than 10 months during the entire 5-year period or 6 months at a time.

What are the conditions to obtain citizenship by origin in Montenegro?

Citizenship by descent is available for:

people born outside of Montenegro to Montenegrin parents;
people born outside of the country to at least one Montenegrin parent;
those who were born in Montenegro to at least one Montenegrin parent;
people who have at least one Montenegrin parent, while the other parent is unknown.

Who can apply for citizenship by birth in Montenegro?

This type of Montenegrin citizenship is available for children born in Montenegro to unknown or stateless parents.

NOTE: When it comes to citizenship based on international treaties, they mostly cover double citizenship matters.

Here is also our video:

Can I apply for citizenship by marriage in Montenegro?

Yes. You are eligible for citizenship if you have been lawfully residing in Montenegro for at least 5 years and if you have been married to a Montenegrin citizen for at least 3 of those years. However, there are requirements to complete, just as in any other case.

According to the Montenegrin residency requirements, you had to have been a resident of Montenegro for 3 of the 5 years leading up to the wedding, and you could not have left the country for longer than 30 days at a time during these years.

To establish your residency in the nation if you are not already a resident, you can apply for a temporary residence visa for family reunification.

What are the documents required when applying for citizenship in Montenegro?

You need to submit some personal documents in order for your application to be accepted. These documents include the following:

the citizenship application form;
a copy of a notarized passport (apostille certified);
an original copy or certificate of birth;
an original copy or marriage certificate;
a health insurance policy that is accepted in Montenegro;
an evaluation of your health for infectious diseases in a medical report.

If you are interested in obtaining a Montenegro passport, our lawyers can explain the documents you need to supply and file with the governmental authorities in charge of immigration.

An official government representative will review your application and decide if you qualify to become a citizen of Montenegro once you submit it.

What are the advantages of becoming a citizen of Montenegro?

Montenegrin citizenship comes with various benefits, among which is the possibility of travelling without a visa in more than 120 countries.

Holders of a Montenegrin passport also enjoy expedited visa procedures in 32 countries where eVisas are granted, making the process of applying for a visa simpler.

Montenegrin nationals not only enjoy visa-free travel, but they can also get a visa at the airport in 33 countries, which makes last-minute vacations and travel arrangements easier.

If you want to apply for a passport in Montenegro in 2026 and need assistance, our law firm is at your disposal with various services, including assistance in setting up companies in this country, so do not hesitate to contact us.