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How to start a business in Montenegro as a foreigner (2026)

Starting a business in Montenegro as a foreigner: easy.

Montenegro permits 100% foreign ownership in virtually all sectors, with no nationality restrictions on founders or shareholders; foreign investors are legally treated identically to domestic investors. The dominant vehicle is the DOO (LLC), requiring only €1 minimum share capital and achievable in 4-10 business days. A new Companies Act effective 1 January 2026 modernises corporate governance, introduces electronic incorporation, and aligns the framework closer to EU standards.

Last verified Official sources first · MethodologyCompare Montenegro with other countries

Legal framework

Law on Business Companies (new Act in force January 1, 2026), administered by the Central Registry of Business Entities (CRPS) and the Montenegro Investment Agency (MIA)

Key points: starting a business in Montenegro

  1. Foreign ownership

    No limits on foreign control or equity participation; 100% foreign-owned companies are permitted across virtually all sectors. Regulatory approval is required only in specifically regulated industries such as banking, telecoms, energy, pharmaceuticals, and defence.

    state.gov mia.gov.me

  2. Minimum capital

    A DOO (LLC) requires a minimum share capital of €1 and may have 1-30 shareholders (individuals or legal entities, domestic or foreign). A Joint Stock Company (AD) requires €25,000 minimum capital.

    companyformationmontenegro.com cms.law

  3. Registration steps & timeline

    The process involves: (1) reserving a company name with CRPS; (2) notarising founding documents (foreign-issued documents must be translated and legalised); (3) depositing capital in a Montenegrin bank; (4) filing the complete application with CRPS (processed in ~4 business days); (5) automatic assignment of a PIB (tax ID). Total timeline is typically 4-10 working days.

    psc.gov.me state.gov

  4. Registration fees

    The state registration duty is €8 for a DOO and €43 for a joint stock company (AD), making formal registration costs very low.

    psc.gov.me saaccounting.me

  5. New Companies Act (2026)

    A comprehensive new Law on Business Companies entered into force in August 2025 and became applicable on 1 January 2026. Key innovations include full electronic incorporation (founding documents may be executed and filed digitally), stricter corporate governance and transparency rules, and clearer separation of LLC and joint-stock company regimes aligned with EU standards.

    ceelegalmatters.com loc.gov

  6. Residency-permit tax condition for majority owners

    Since January 17, 2026 (via amendments to the Law on Foreigners), third-country nationals who personally own more than 51% of a Montenegrin company must demonstrate their company paid at least €5,000 in taxes and social contributions in the preceding year in order to extend a combined work-and-residence permit. This condition does not apply to EU/EEA or Swiss citizens.

    bdkadvokati.com state.gov

Sources

  1. mia.gov.me/en/invest-in-mne/regulations/register-business/
  2. psc.gov.me/en/registracija-biznisa-i-poslovanje
  3. state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/montenegro
  4. state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/638719_2025-Montenegro-Investment-Climate-
  5. ceelegalmatters.com/montenegro/30713-the-new-company-law-has-entered-into-force-and-will-
  6. loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2026-04-30/montenegro-new-business-companie
  7. cms.law/en/mne/publication/new-law-on-business-companies-in-montenegro
  8. bdkadvokati.com/montenegro-adopts-amendments-to-the-foreigners-act
  9. companyformationmontenegro.com/open-a-d-o-o-in-montenegro/
  10. saaccounting.me/blog/company-registration-montenegro

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026