IT Residence and Work Permit in Montenegro: Conditions, Duration, and Common Pitfalls

Everything you need to know to move your IT career to Montenegro without the administrative headaches.

Through recent amendments to the Law on Foreigners, Montenegro has recognized the IT sector as an area of special economic importance and introduced a dedicated legal basis for issuing temporary residence and work permits to foreign IT professionals. This regime is significantly more favorable than the general rules, particularly regarding the duration of the permit and the stability of the residence status.

However, practice shows that a more favorable regime does not necessarily mean a simpler procedure. In fact, IT permits are often where the most frequent and not always obvious mistakes occur, which can have serious consequences for the legality of residence and employment in Montenegro.

Below, we explain how the IT permit functions, who it applies to, how long it lasts, and what to pay special attention to in practice.

A Special Legal Basis for the IT Sector – What Does the Law Really Require?

The Law on Foreigners provides a specific legal ground for issuing a temporary residence and work permit for employment in the IT sector (Article 70a). The essence of this provision is that a foreign national who is employed in the IT sector by an employer in Montenegro may be granted a permit for a longer period, provided that general legal requirements are met and that a valid employment contract for at least 12 months is submitted as proof of eligibility.

In practice, it is important to understand that the term “IT sector” is not assessed formally, it is not enough for the employer’s business to include “IT” in the name or in the company register. What matters is the actual job description and the nature of the employment. In other words, the contract, job description, and supporting documentation must clearly show that the role involves IT work (e.g., software development, testing, DevOps, system administration, cybersecurity, etc.).

It should also be emphasized that employment contracts shorter than 12 months do not meet the legal threshold and often lead to rejected applications under this legal basis.

Permit Duration and Its Practical Importance

One of the key advantages of the IT permit is its duration. The permit can be granted for a period of up to three years, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years.

For IT professionals, this carries significant practical value. A more stable residence status allows for long-term planning, both professionally and personally. In practice, this means easier resolution of housing, schooling for children, banking and tax procedures, and continuity in long-term project work, which is particularly relevant in the IT industry, where engagements often span several years.

General Requirements: A Formality Often Underestimated

Regardless of the specific IT-based grounds, foreign nationals must fulfill all general requirements prescribed by law. This includes proof of sufficient means of subsistence, secured accommodation, valid health insurance, a valid travel document, and confirmation that there are no bans on entry, security obstacles, or relevant criminal convictions.

In practice, these “general” conditions often prove to be the most problematic. It is common, for instance, for the rental agreement to be poorly drafted, the health insurance policy to be deemed unsuitable for this type of procedure, or for foreign-issued documents to be improperly prepared.

Decision Procedure and Overlooked Deadlines

The Ministry of Interior is responsible for deciding on applications for temporary residence and work permits, in coordination with other competent authorities. The law stipulates that a decision must be made within 15 days of submission of a complete application.

However, one important yet often overlooked detail is that if the applicant fails to collect the permit within five days after the deadline indicated in the confirmation receipt, the application is considered withdrawn. In practice, it is not uncommon for the permit to be approved, but the entire process becomes void simply because the permit was not collected on time. For this reason, it is crucial to actively monitor the status of the application and arrange timely collection.

Extension of an IT Permit: Deadline and Required Documents

To extend a permit based on IT grounds, the law clearly states that the application must be submitted no later than 30 days before the current permit expires.

The renewal application must include a valid travel document, as well as proof that all tax and social contribution obligations have been properly settled for the duration of the initial permit. This is often a critical challenge in practice. If the employment relationship was merely formal without regular fulfillment of obligations, the extension may be denied.

For foreign-issued documents (such as criminal background checks, diplomas, or qualification certificates), authorities generally require that documents be properly formatted, legalized or apostilled where applicable, and translated into Montenegrin by a certified court translator.

In many cases, time is lost on these technicalities: documents are submitted, but in a form that is not legally acceptable, leading to delays and increased risk of missing important deadlines.

Permit Limitations: What Is and Isn’t Allowed

An IT permit does not grant a general right to work. A foreign national may only perform the specific duties for which the permit was issued, and only for the employer named in the permit. Any change of employer or job position without first completing the appropriate legal procedure may jeopardize the legality of the person’s stay.

Therefore, any change in employment must be planned in advance and legally regulated to avoid a disruption of legal status or the need to initiate a new application process.

Zaključak

Recent amendments to the law have significantly improved the conditions for foreign IT professionals seeking to relocate to Montenegro. The procedure for obtaining a temporary residence and work permit has become more transparent and better aligned with the actual needs of both employers and workers. The removal of unnecessary requirements, such as high income thresholds or mandatory local hires, reflects the country’s commitment to attracting international IT talent.

For prospective applicants, the key is to be well-informed and to prepare all necessary documentation in advance. With a growing tech scene and a favorable business environment, Montenegro is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for IT professionals. With a valid residence and work permit, foreign nationals can legally live, work, and contribute to the development of this dynamic sector.