Starting a Business · Montenegro
How to start a business in Montenegro as a foreigner (2026)
Montenegro shaded by its starting a business status
Starting a business in Montenegro as a foreigner: easy (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)).
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.
Key points
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.
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.
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.
The state registration duty is €8 for a DOO and €43 for a joint stock company (AD), making formal registration costs very low.
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.
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.
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