Move to Montenegro from the UK

12.02.2025

Why Move to Montenegro from the UK? Montenegro is becoming an increasingly popular destination for UK expats seeking a combination of affordable living, a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle, and stunning landscapes. From the sun-soaked Adriatic coastline to the charming mountain towns and rich cultural heritage, this small Balkan country has much to offer.

Here’s why moving to Montenegro might be a great choice:

• Affordable Cost of Living – Montenegro is significantly cheaper than the UK, with lower costs for accommodation, food, and transportation.
• Mediterranean Climate – Expect hot summers and mild winters along the coast, with snowy mountains in the north for winter sports enthusiasts.
• Growing Property Market – Montenegro’s property market is booming, with attractive options for investment or relocation. Towns like Budva, Kotor, and Tivat offer luxury properties with sea views at competitive prices.
• Proximity to the UK and Europe – Regular flights from London and other major cities connect the UK to Montenegro, making it easy to visit family or travel around Europe.

Visa and Residency Requirements

Moving to Montenegro from the UK requires a visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days. For UK citizens, there are several visa options:

• Tourist Visa – Stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
• Temporary Residence Permit – If you plan to live in Montenegro for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence permit. This is typically granted for property ownership, work, or family reunification.
• Permanent Residency – After five years of holding temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency.

Work Permits: If you plan to work or run a business in Montenegro, you’ll need a work permit, which can be applied for alongside your residence permit.

Best Places to Live in Montenegro

Montenegro offers diverse living options, whether you prefer coastal towns or tranquil mountain villages. Here are some popular areas for expats:

• Budva – A vibrant coastal town known for its beaches, nightlife, and modern amenities.
• Kotor – A UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning medieval architecture and breathtaking bay views.
• Tivat – Home to the luxurious Porto Montenegro marina, offering a more cosmopolitan lifestyle.
• Herceg Novi– Known for its laid-back vibe and beautiful coastline, ideal for families and retirees.
• Podgorica – The capital city, perfect for those who want easy access to business and government services.

Cost of Living in Montenegro

One of the main benefits of moving to Montenegro from the UK is its affordable cost of living. Here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses:

• Rent: €300–€700 for a one-bedroom apartment, depending on the location.
• Utilities: €70–€150 per month.
• Groceries: Fresh produce and locally sourced food are affordable. Monthly grocery costs range from €150–€300.
• Dining Out: A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around €10–€15.

Montenegro also has a lower tax burden compared to the UK, with a flat income tax rate of 9%.

Buying Property in Montenegro

If you’re planning to settle in Montenegro, buying property can be a smart move. UK citizens can purchase property in their own name, with no restrictions for most residential properties. Coastal towns like Kotor, Budva, and Tivat offer luxurious apartments and villas, while inland areas like Cetinje and Žabljak provide more affordable options.

Popular Property Types:

• Apartments – Perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle near the coast.
• Villas with Sea Views – Ideal for luxury living in Montenegro’s most sought-after locations.
• Mountain Chalets – Great for those who love nature and winter sports.

Lifestyle and Culture

Montenegro’s lifestyle is a blend of Mediterranean charm and Balkan traditions. You’ll enjoy fresh seafood, local wines, and a slower pace of life. Festivals, markets, and cultural events are regular features in towns like Kotor and Budva.

Montenegro also offers plenty of outdoor activities. In summer, you can relax on the beaches or explore the Bay of Kotor, while winter brings opportunities for skiing in Durmitor National Park.

Practical Tips for Moving

• Healthcare: Montenegro offers public and private healthcare. Expats often opt for private services for faster and more comprehensive care.
• Language: Montenegrin is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among the younger population.
• Driving: UK driving licenses are valid for short-term stays. For longer stays, you’ll need to convert your license.

Conclusion

Moving to Montenegro from the UK offers an exciting opportunity to embrace a new lifestyle in a beautiful and affordable country. With a growing expat community, stunning scenery, and an easy path to residency, Montenegro is an appealing destination for both retirees and professionals looking for a change.

If you’re considering making the move, start by exploring property options and applying for the relevant visas. Montenegro might just be the perfect place for your next adventure.

Back to the list

Reviews

• In period May-August 2022 we sold our flats in St-Petersburg Russia and  have bought two  ones here in Montenegro, Becici. We decided to move here and make new home and business with my husband. Our agent Milica Zugic  is really became our angel - provider here in Montenegro. She is very reliable, responsible , professional  employee of CMM Budva department. She has developed intuition and found very fast necessary properties which we needed. Also she helped us to speed up the process of registration documents in MUP.( list nepokretnosti, etc). She was our real provider here. Very appreciated her and all staff of Budva department for there assistance. Separately to lawyer Ivan and his legal team. Very recommended choose Milica Zugic as real estate manager when you search for assistant in this complicated and important field as buying property in Montenegro.

  Liudmila Nosova St-Petersburg Russia , 13.09.2022 09:20:09

• At the beginning of April 2022, our family living in Prague bought a house in Sutomore with the assistance of your company.
  Let me express my gratitude to the management of your company for the service provided, and especially to your employees - Anastasia Zeyak, Alexei Grachev and Elena Bozhovich for their attention, patience and even care for the whole time of buying real estate and the services provided after the purchase.
  I would really like all companies to work with the same quality of service. After coming into contact with this kind of attitude towards the client, all our environment, if necessary, will refer to your company only.
  With gratitude on behalf of our family.

  A.V. Ter-Gazaryan, 12.07.2022 10:32:19

• Based on my experience with CMM in Budva, Montenegro, I can say that they are reliable, fast, and they deliver what they promise. They take really good care of their clients. For instance, I was offered a lift from the airport, and they would take me back and forth from Tivat to Budva and Becici to see various properties. They would answer all of my questions and respond promptly. They have an excellent team: Katarina, Alexander, Natasha, Martin and some other guys whose names I don’t remember. Katarina, my wonderful agent, went to every length to help me find a perfect home. Unfortunately, my situation changed and I had to postpone my relocation to Montenegro.
  I would strongly recommend this company to anyone who is looking for a property in Montenegro.
  

  Val , 13.05.2022 02:18:13

• We were introduced to CMM by friends who had already done research on Montenegro and CMM. We purchased our apartment in Dobrota, just outside Kotor, all remotely from South Africa, during the lockdown. Everything was seamless without any problems at all. All the CMM departments work together well from the sales team, head office, legal, interior design and rental department. Every detail was well communicated with an abundance of zoom meetings, videos, emails etc
  We are thrilled with the outcome and enjoyed working with the CMM team. They were incredibly professional.
  After sales service is also excellent as we move into the rental phase of the apartment and over all management of the apartment including maintenance.
  We have been directly and indirectly involved with many houses/apartments all over the world and this was the up there with the best service we have received.
  Thanks to everyone we dealt with at CMM it has been an absolute pleasure dealing with you all. We look forward too many happy years working with you on our rental.
  

  Mandy and Antoine, 06.10.2021 08:56:22

• Biz Montenegroda CMM komandayla  tanish olmushug. Snejana ve Milan bize cox  yaxshi destek olublar. Artig bizim burada evimiz de var. Bize gosterdiler cox yuksek service, ve artig butun bizim senedler de gaydasindadir. Boyuk hormetle onlara Cox sagol bildiririk!

  Dilara, 01.10.2019 06:17:27

• Last year we decided to find a new home close to the sea. It was quite difficult in the beginning to make the right choice. Once we found CMM Company was a great luck! We immediately received detailed consultation on the country and purchase opportunities. Being attracted by Kotor - one of the most amazing parts of the coast, we decided to take a family trip and maybe make our dream of new home come true. As just discoverers of Montenegro, we were accepted like at home which was a one more pleasant surprise. The most important, we received all detailed information about country regions and procedure of buying property during the first few days. And how beautiful the car journeys were! Difficult choice, but when you find the home you want you can't refuse it. CMM did best to help us with this finding! All the purchase procedure passed well with CMM professional work! Now we are happy owners of a wonderful house with a Kotor bay view, being perfectly served by CMM Management company (of course, we've chosen CMM as professional house manager). Hope our friends and relatives would also move to Montenegro with the CMM help soon !!!

  Kate, 22.03.2019 11:06:21