Montenegro is a small European country located in the western part of the Balkans. The country has many natural geographic features that make it an attractive place for those who want to move there. The capital city of Podgorica has many green spaces and parks; this includes Lake Skadar which is one of the biggest lakes in the country and therefore also one of its most popular tourist destinations. There are also many benefits of Montenegro Citizenship.
Politically, it is a part of the European Union and NATO. It also enjoys visa-free access to more than 50 countries worldwide. The country’s favorable economic environment has attracted several investors to set up factories in its industrial zones. The availability of various residency programs for foreign nationals has made it easy for them as well. However, there aren’t many advantages to getting Montenegrin citizenship at this point.
In most cases, it is not worth getting one simply because it comes with some significant disadvantages as well. This article will discuss the pros and cons of becoming a citizen in this small country so that you can make an informed decision if getting one would be beneficial for you or not.
What is the Montenegrin Citizenship?
Montenegro is a country in the Balkan Peninsula with a population of 645,000. It is a member of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. It is also a member of the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Council of Europe.
The country has been a member of the European Union since June 2006. It is a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Central European Initiative. It is a member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Tourism is the largest economic activity, with the country receiving an estimated 10 million tourists each year. The availability of various residency programs for foreign nationals has made it easy for them as well.
However, there aren’t many advantages to getting Montenegrin citizenship at this point. In most cases, it is not worth getting one simply because it comes with some significant disadvantages as well. This article will discuss the pros and cons of becoming a citizen in this small country so that you can make an informed decision if getting one would be beneficial for you or not.
Who is Eligible for a Montenegrin Citizenship?
Anyone who can fulfill the eligibility criteria can apply for Montenegrin citizenship. In general, you will have to have been a permanent resident of the country for at least 5 years. This residency requirement can be reduced to 3 years in special circumstances like in the case of war veterans. You should also be at least 18 years of age. However, you can apply for citizenship at any age as long as you fulfill all the criteria mentioned above.
You can get Montenegrin citizenship if you are a national of any country, including Kosovo. The only exception is that one can’t get Montenegrin citizenship if one is a national of another Balkan country. However, one can apply for dual citizenship in this case.
Can Anyone Apply for a Montenegrin Citizenship?
Anyone can apply for citizenship in this small country. However, it is only open to people who are members of certain communities. These communities include ethnic and racial minorities in the country such as Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, and others. They also include people who have been living in the country for at least 5 years, have a stable income, and have no criminal record.
How to Become a Citizen of Montenegro?
– Apply for a Residency Permit – The first thing that you need to do to apply for citizenship in Montenegro is to apply for a residency permit. The Montenegrin citizenship law mandates that you can only become a citizen if you currently hold a residency permit. This permit will allow you to stay in the country for a certain period. In most cases, it is valid for 10 years. However, you can apply for a renewal of your permit every 5 years. You can also extend it to 20 years in special cases.
– Visit the Office of Citizenship – You can also apply for citizenship in Montenegro at the office of citizenship. However, you will only get a letter stating that your application has been received. Unfortunately, there is no other way of knowing if your application has been accepted or not.
– Get a Montenegrin Passport – You will have to apply for a passport too to get a Montenegrin passport. – Pay a Fee – Once you have completed all the steps, you will have to pay a fee. This is the only fee that is required to get Montenegrin citizenship.
– Appear for the Test – After you have paid the fee, you will have to appear for an interview at the Office of Citizenship. The interview will be followed by a written test and a practical test.
– Wait for Your Card – Once the process is over; you will receive a letter saying that you are a citizen of Montenegro. You will have to carry this card while traveling to show that you are a citizen of this country.
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Conclusion
The availability of various residency programs for foreign nationals has made it easy for them as well. However, there aren’t many advantages to getting Montenegrin citizenship at this point. In most cases, it is not worth getting one simply because it comes with some significant disadvantages as well. This article has discussed the pros and cons of becoming a citizen in this small country so that you can make an informed decision if getting one would be beneficial for you or not.
