In 2025, Montenegro granted a total of 40,567 work and residence permits to foreign nationals from 107 countries, as reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Employment Agency of Montenegro. This influx illustrates the significant role that foreign labor plays in the Montenegrin economy, particularly among foreign executives.
The largest contingent of these permits was issued to Turkish nationals, totaling 10,346, followed by citizens from Serbia with 8,148 permits and Russia with 7,429. Other notable figures include workers from Azerbaijan (2,513), Albania (2,098), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1,902), and Kosovo (1,543).
Among the total number of permits issued, 27,689 were regular work permits allocated under a structured quota system for employment or seasonal work. Additionally, 12,878 permits were granted outside these quotas, with a significant portion—11,826—awarded to foreigners appointed as directors in companies registered in Montenegro. This aspect has raised concerns regarding potential misuse under previous regulations.
Recent changes to Montenegro’s immigration and labor policies aim to mitigate concerns about the misuse of work and residence permits. These reforms require that directors and business owners maintain active business operations and meet tax obligations, such as an annual corporate tax payment of at least €5,000. These modifications are part of broader amendments to the Law on Foreigners that will take effect in early 2026, enhancing compliance with EU standards.
Of the permits issued within the established quota system, 25,536 were designated for long-term employment while 2,153 were for seasonal positions. The majority of foreign workers were employed in construction (6,920), accommodation and food services (6,805), and other personal services (6,071). Smaller groups were engaged in trade (1,676), information and communications (1,350), professional and technical services (1,257), as well as various other sectors including transport and agriculture.
Foreign directors received permits across diverse industries: 4,262 in personal services, 1,943 in trade, and 1,043 in professional services. Additional sectors with notable numbers included IT and communications (776), hospitality (730), administrative services (572), and real estate (532). Fewer directors obtained permits in education (101), healthcare (17), mining (5), and government-related roles (4).
Demographically speaking, men constituted 71.28 percent of all foreign permit holders while women made up 28.72 percent. The predominant age groups among these workers were those aged between 31-40 years (29.07 percent) and 41-50 years (23.7 percent), with almost 2,000 permits issued to individuals over the age of 61.
Geographically, Podgorica had the highest concentration of foreign workers at 13,568 permits or 33.45 percent of the total. Budva followed with 10,318 permits representing 25.43 percent. Other municipalities reported significantly lower figures.
The data emphasizes Montenegro’s reliance on foreign labor to fill domestic workforce gaps while highlighting the ongoing need for regulatory reforms to ensure that work and residence permits are aligned with legitimate economic activities rather than administrative exploitation.
