Foreign buyers in Montenegro: what to know before a purchase
Foreign individuals and companies can purchase apartments, houses, and villas in Montenegro on the same terms as Montenegrin citizens. There is no special residency requirement to own. Agricultural land and a small number of special-regime areas have restrictions; we advise on each case before any commitment.
Total acquisition costs typically include the purchase price, real estate transfer tax (approximately 3% on resales — VAT may apply differently on new builds), legal and notary fees of 1 to 2 percent, and modest cadastral fees. Budgeting 4 to 5 percent above the headline price is a reasonable rule of thumb.
A standard transaction runs four to eight weeks from offer accepted to title registered. New-build purchases with phased payments follow their own timelines. Either way, the buyer should appoint independent legal counsel before exchanging contracts; we coordinate introductions when needed.
Where clients cannot attend signing in person, power-of-attorney arrangements with a Montenegrin lawyer allow remote completion. Most of our international clients prefer to attend at least one of the meetings on the ground — for the connection to the place as much as for the paperwork.
