PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Permanent residence is the approval of long-term residence of a foreign national in the Republic of Montenegro.

A permanent residence permit may be issued to a foreigner who, until the date of submission of the request for the issuance of the permit, has lawfully resided in Montenegro continuously for five years (exceptionally, this period may be shorter if dictated by reasons of humanity or in the interest of Montenegro) based on:

1. approved temporary residence;
2. recognized refugee status or granted additional protection. 
   
   

It is considered that a foreigner has resided continuously in Montenegro even if they have been absent from Montenegro for a total of up to ten months within a five-year period, or once for up to six months.

A permanent residence permit may be issued to a child:

1. whose one parent, at the time of their birth, is a Montenegrin citizen and has a residence in Montenegro;
2. whose both parents, at the time of their birth, have been granted permanent residence;
3. The Ministry of Internal Affairs grants permanent residence to a foreigner in Montenegro indefinitely. The permanent residence permit is issued with a validity period of five years, with an obligation for renewal. The request for the extension of the permanent residence permit is submitted within eight days from the expiration of the permit. For a foreigner under the age of four, a permanent residence permit is issued with a validity period of two years.
   
   

A foreigner holding a permanent residence permit is entitled to:

1. work, job placement services, and unemployment benefits;
2. education and professional development;
3. recognition of diplomas and certificates;
4. social assistance, health, and pension insurance;
5. tax benefits, in accordance with the law;
6. access to the market of goods and services;
7. freedom of association, affiliation, and membership in organizations representing the interests of workers or employers.
   
   

Permanent residence ceases to be valid if:

1. the foreigner has been finally sentenced to imprisonment for more than six months for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio in Montenegro;
2. reasons of national security or internal security require it;
3. the foreigner has provided false identity information, or the permanent residence permit has been issued based on false information about the foreigner;
4. a measure of security expulsion of the foreigner from the country, a protective measure of expulsion of the foreigner from the territory of Montenegro, or a decision on deportation of foreigner has been issued;
5. it is found that the foreigner has left Montenegro or continuously resided for more than one year in another country;
6. the foreigner renounces permanent residence;
7. the foreigner has acquired Montenegrin citizenship.
   
   

A foreigner whose permanent residence has ceased may be issued a permanent residence permit again if, before submitting a new request for the issuance of a permit, they have lawfully resided in Montenegro continuously for three years based on an approved temporary residence. An administrative dispute may be initiated against the decision on the termination of residence.