Living in Montenegro: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Montenegro.
Did you know that Montenegro is an upper middle income country? Although it is not a European Union country, it has managed to build up a strong economy since its independence while using the Euro.
As a multicultural country, Montenegro is very open towards expatriation. Its economy, which is mainly driven by the services sector, is quite promising for expatriates looking forward to settle and work here.
Montenegro covers the territory of just 13,813 square kilometres but manages to pack in a variety of natural and historical sights into its compact setting. The population of Montenegro is 628,960 people ' with most of the residents being Montenegrins. Other ethnic groups include Serbs, Bosniaks, Albanians, and Croats. The country's official language is Montenegrin, though Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian are also spoken.
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro and the biggest city. Currently, many architectural developments are taking place in Podgorica because of the influx of tourists. Budva, known for its quiet beaches and loud nightlife, is very attractive to travellers. Cetinje is the country's old royal capital with a large number of historical sights. NikšiÄ is the second largest city, and Žabljak is the centre of mountain tourism and home to several skiing resorts.
Montenegro's economy is in the transition stage to a market economy. The country has joined the World Bank, IMF and is in the negotiation process of joining the EU. Tourism is bringing in significantly more profits than before, and the country is investing a lot into the development of its infrastructure.
Montenegro lures travellers with its spectacular rocky coastline and medieval walled towns. Some of the country's top attractions include the largest lake in Southern Europe, Lake Skadar; 17th-century Ostrog Monastery and pilgrimage site; the historic town of Kotor (its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lovcen National Park, Tara River Canyon, and Maritime Museum.
The country's visa policy is similar to that of the Schengen Area. Citizens of a large number of countries do not require a visa to travel to Montenegro (including the citizens of all European Union countries).
