How to find work in Montenegro for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians

A small European state in the Balkans with the romantic name Montenegro has been particularly popular among Russian citizens in recent years: some want to come here in the summer and relax with the whole family on the Adriatic coast, while others are more interested in working in Montenegro. If the situation with a tourist trip is extremely clear and anyone wishing to visit this country can freely obtain all the information they need from a tour operator, then the question of prospects and employment opportunities in Montenegro needs a more detailed consideration.

Employment of Russians in Montenegro: pros and cons

Those who decide to go abroad in search of work, when choosing a country, weigh the pros and cons, compare conditions, employer requirements, wages and much more. Montenegro in this regard is inferior to most European countries: it is not a member of the EU, is not part of the Schengen zone, does not have a developed economy, and salaries here are not very high (by European standards).

At the same time, employment in Montenegro has a number of advantages that make this country attractive for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians:

• one of the simplest job application procedures in Europe;
• minimum financial costs for employment;
• the presence of many cultural and historical examples of points of contact with Montenegro: the Orthodox faith, Slavic languages, centuries of friendly relations between peoples.

Among the advantages are also comfortable climatic conditions, more than 200 sunny days a year, and a warm sea.

For those Russians who wish to obtain a permanent residence permit here, there is an opportunity to reside in the EU and the Schengen area in the future after Montenegro joins these organizations. Illegal employment will not bring such bonuses.

Working category visa

As mentioned above, Montenegro is not part of Schengen. In this case, the logical question is how does one enter its territory? If you intend to visit the country as a tourist, then you will not need any visa stamps if the visit does not exceed 30 days (in general, Ukrainians can stay in the country for no more than 90 days in each half-year). But to get a job you will have to take care of a special sticker in your passport and get a work visa.

Package of documents

Going to the consulate assumes that you have:

1. International passport.
2. Visa application form.
3. 4 photos.
4. Original and copy of work permit.
5. An invitation from an employer with an offer to occupy a certain position, indicating the salary and place of residence in the country for the period of work.

And be prepared for an interview with a consular officer: given the fact that the policy of this state today is aimed at reducing the flow of migrants, it will be better if during the conversation you convince the Consulate representative that you do not intend to stay in Montenegro forever, but to go to work It’s just about gaining invaluable experience.

Is it possible to extend a visa?

As you know, any visa permit has a limited validity period. When talking about a work visa, you should remember that it is issued for the period of validity of your work permit. As a rule, this is 1 year with the right to extend for another two. During this time, the foreigner has the opportunity to apply for a residence permit, the so-called “boravka”.

According to local laws, submitting documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain temporary status may be the responsibility of the employer. If by that time the work permit is already coming to an end, it must be renewed and only then apply for a residence permit. Thus, the work visa is extended along with the work permit.

Labor market in Montenegro

The labor market in this small Balkan country has features that should be taken into account. The country's unemployment rate is 18%, one of the lowest among the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Available vacancies in Montenegro can be found in almost all sectors throughout the year.

If we talk about permanent work, then among the most popular professions we can name such specialties as IT, medicine (doctors and technical staff), banking, law, accounting, management and personnel management, translation from foreign languages ​​(primarily from English, Italian , German), workers in the mining industry.

Seasonal work in Montenegro opens up wide opportunities for Russians. More than 2 million foreign tourists come here every year (with a country population of 630 thousand people). In 2021, the country's tourism revenues exceeded 1 billion euros.

Accordingly, with the beginning of the tourist season, the demand for service personnel increases:

• tour guides;
• animators;
• catering workers (cooks, waiters, dishwashers);
• hostess;
• realtors;
• artists (singers and dancers);
• massage therapists;
• instructors and coaches (diving, horse riding, alpine skiing, tennis);
• artists;
• photographers;
• beauty salon workers.

Many Russians are attracted to work in Herceg Novi, Bar, Budva and other resort towns.

In Montenegro, there is a constant demand for representatives of blue-collar professions: plumbers, electricians, mechanics, general workers, qualified builders, drivers, nannies, maids, caregivers, yacht and car washers.

The most popular cities in Montenegro among Russians are Tivat and the country’s capital, Podgorica. It is the largest and most modern city in the country. This is where the main foreign representative offices, firms and companies, banks, government agencies, and shopping centers are located. It is easier to find a permanent job here, even without speaking Montenegrin, but with mandatory knowledge of English.

Types of employment

The time spent searching can be reduced. To do this, the applicant must first decide which type of activity is preferable.

Seasonal work

In May, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bars on the Adriatic coast open in the country. Coastal communities are coming to life, and many vacancies in the tourism sector are appearing. Seasonal work in Montenegro is in great demand. It is offered for a period from 30 days to 8 months. This type of employment does not exclude the issuance of permits and the obligation of the employer to make deductions from the migrant’s salary.

Constant

The most populous city in Montenegro is the capital of the state, Podgorica. Credit institutions, government agencies, shopping centers, universities, and representative offices of companies from other countries are concentrated here. It is in Podgorica that a foreigner can find a permanent job. IT specialists, translators, doctors, and nurses are welcome here. The employer enters into a contract with the employee for an indefinite or specified period.

Temporary

Many people confuse this concept with seasonal employment. This type is more of a part-time job and takes from 2 to 5 hours a day. This type of activity can be combined with the main one. Most often, nannies, yacht, window, car washers, cleaners, or “husbands for an hour” (minor repairs around the house) are hired for temporary work.

What you should know when applying for a job in Montenegro

For Russians who are planning to get a permanent job, it is important to know that the employer is required to obtain permission from the local employment office to hire a foreign employee, and for this there must be a serious justification for attracting a specialist from abroad. An application with confirmation of the applicant's qualifications and experience must be reviewed within 30 days.

If successful, official employment involves concluding an employment contract with the employer for a long or indefinite period, in accordance with all legal requirements: with payment of wages and monthly contributions to the social insurance fund.

In most cases (with the exception of IT specialists, engineers, doctors of the highest category, highly qualified builders, nurses, managers), permanent vacancies for Russian immigrants are difficult to obtain, primarily due to the lack of European work experience and knowledge of local specifics, and lack of knowledge of the language. In addition, in order to get hired, you must go through a lengthy process of nostrification of Russian diplomas.

When applying for seasonal work - from 1 to 8 months, the employer must obtain a work permit for a foreign worker for a certain period. Upon completion, the permit, if necessary, can be reissued.

When concluding a temporary employment contract, some nuances should be taken into account:

• during the tourist season you will have to work up to 10-12 hours a day;
• You cannot change your place of work or employer during the contract;
• the work permit must be kept with you at the workplace (punishment is a fine of 200 euros for the employee and 400 euros for the employer);
• Not only qualifications and experience are important, but also language proficiency: knowledge of English is required almost everywhere.

Work in Montenegro from direct employers will become more accessible to applicants who speak Serbian.

One of the requirements for obtaining a work permit is having a place of residence. Therefore, when hiring for seasonal work, firms provide housing or compensate the employee for the cost of rent.

Work Visa

A work visa to Montenegro can be issued to a foreign worker only if he has a job offer from a Montenegrin employer. The main document for opening a work visa is a residence permit and a work permit (dozvola za privremeni boravak i rad).

Decor

A work visa is issued not in the country of actual residence of the foreign worker, but in Montenegro at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. That is, if a foreigner intends to work in Montenegro, then he is obliged to come to this country and personally apply for a work visa to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Visa application experience on video

To open a work visa, you must submit a work and residence permit, an employment contract, a photocopy of your foreign passport, an official invitation from the employer and a receipt for payment of the state fee.

Extension

A work visa is issued for 12 months. To extend the visa, you should contact the migration center and submit documents confirming the existence of grounds for extending the visa. Most often, foreign residents submit an employment contract, which states that the period of employment exceeds the validity period of the work visa, therefore a visa extension is necessary for the foreign worker to continue working.

A certificate signed by the head of the company or firm in which the employee works is also suitable as a basis for extending a visa.

The visa can be extended if there are grounds for 1 or 2 years. After 5 years of stay in Montenegro, a foreign resident has the right to apply for permanent residence in this state.

Example of a document for permanent residence in Montenegro

Job search in Montenegro

You can search for work in Montenegro either independently or through intermediaries. An independent search will be more successful directly in Montenegro, so it is advisable to have some savings that will allow you to live 2-3 months in the country and devote them to your employment, and if necessary, undergo interviews with employers. To officially get a job, you must register with the local Employment Bureau.

There are several options for self-search. Thus, preparations for the summer tourist season begin at the end of winter. At this time, most stores, local companies, and hotels begin to recruit staff and post advertisements for available vacancies.

Those interested in working in Budva, Przno and other resort towns should start with the local press. Help in the search can be provided by word of mouth, Russian-speaking residents, and immigrants from the Russian Federation. Montenegrin sites will also be useful in finding a job:

• Russian-language site and others.

If you want to work for a Russian company in Montenegro, you can use Russian-language forums on social networks.

Those who do not speak languages ​​well or do not know how to find work in Montenegro should seek intermediary services from one of the local or international recruitment companies.

How to look for a job in 2021

Despite the high level of unemployment, many migrants find ways to find work on the Adriatic coast. Mostly vacancies are offered in the tourism industry. However, even in cold weather there is a chance to get a job, for example, in construction, in transportation, and other services. In Montenegro, finding a job is possible in several ways. Let's look at the most accessible ones.

Through the Internet

To find a job in the republic, a vacancy must be found in advance. This can be done through the World Wide Web. To do this, you should use Montenegrin thematic sites and forums. There you can find advertisements for available vacancies and post your own. Social networks can give good results. In addition, you should read the local press, information about vacancies is also posted there. If relatives or friends live on the Adriatic coast, it is advisable to turn to them for help in finding a job.

Contacting an employment agency

The country has a state Employment Service of Montenegro (Zavod za zapošljavanje Crne Gore), on whose website you can apply (www.zzzcg.me). In addition, there are many private organizations that select vacancies and issue the necessary permits. Usually, recruitment agencies quickly find a place for a client, but they value their services very highly. And against the backdrop of low wages in Montenegro, this is a huge minus.

What is required to employ a foreigner in Montenegro

All issues related to migration and the presence of foreign citizens in Montenegro are resolved in accordance with the Law “On Foreigners” of 14.02. 2021. Thus, Article 33 of the law defines three types of grounds for staying on the territory of Montenegro:

• boravak - short-term stay (up to 90 days);
• privremeni boravak - temporary stay for studying at a university, advanced training, work, living in your own real estate, internship;
• stalni boravak - permanent residence in the country.

What documents will be needed

For official employment for seasonal work, a foreign citizen must have a privremeni boravak, for a permanent job - stalni boravak.

In addition to these basic documents, additional ones will be required:

• valid passport;
• labor contract;
• a rental agreement or purchase/sale agreement, a certificate from the employer about accommodation in a hotel or about housing from a company;
• qualification documents (certificates, diplomas, certificates);
• certificate of no open criminal record;
• medical insurance;
• confirmation of the availability of funds in a bank account (at least 10 euros per day of the intended stay in Montenegro).

What permits are needed to employ a foreigner in Montenegro?

Foreign citizens can work in Montenegro only on the basis of a residence permit and a work permit. There are three types of such permits in the country:

• personal permanent work permit in Montenegro, which is held by foreigners living in the country as permanent residents. Such citizens are not tied to jobs or employers;
• residence and work permit (for up to a year with the right to extend for another two years) - based on the foreigner providing a written invitation from the employer indicating a specific position, if he has sufficient experience, the necessary qualifications and professional suitability for health reasons. The foreigner must apply for permission personally, at his place of residence in Montenegro;
• permit for residence permit and seasonal work - up to 6 months (with the right to extend for another 2 months). A foreign citizen submits an application in his country of residence through the consular office of Montenegro, receiving in return a certificate indicating the deadline for obtaining a permit.

Within 8 days from the date of issuance of a residence and work permit, an employment contract must be concluded and registered with the Ministry of Labor.

The Government of Montenegro annually (no later than November 30) determines the quota of permits for the employment of foreign workers by profession and type of activity, including seasonal work.

In 2021, it is planned to issue work permits to 20,450 specialists from abroad. Of these, 11,900 are for permanent work, 3,550 are for seasonal work, and 5,000 are reserve.

Quota restrictions do not apply to foreigners - close relatives of citizens of Montenegro, university teachers who teach in the language of the country's ethnic minorities and who received work under international treaties, highly qualified athletes or coaches.

Some categories of foreign citizens have the right to work for up to 90 days in Montenegro on the basis of a labor registration certificate: teachers, artists, scientists, journalists, artists.

Work visa to Montenegro: application procedure

In accordance with the 2008 agreement between Montenegro and the Russian Federation, Russians enjoy visa-free travel for a period of 30 days. Thus, Russians who enter Montenegro for up to 30 days do not require an entry visa. In recent years, by decision of the Montenegrin government, during the tourist season (from April to October) this period has been increased to 90 days.

If the purpose of your visit to the country is employment, you will need a work visa. A work visa in Montenegro is issued at the local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of registration of the foreigner. In other words, while in Russia, you cannot open a visa of this type.

Before applying for a work visa, a foreigner must:

• obtain a work permit in Montenegro;
• nostrify education documents at the Ministry of Education in Podgorica;
• find a vacancy;
• negotiate with the employer, provide him with your resume, receive an official invitation to work;
• pay the fee and fee for the Boravka card (about 25 euros);
• deposit 3,650 euros into a Montenegrin bank account (based on 365 days of 10 euros) and take a statement about this (on the day of submitting the documents, since the bank certificate is valid only for one day);
• prepare a package of papers and submit it to the immigration authorities.

The processing time for a work visa is within a month. You should also know that the owner of a temporary “boravka” must pay a monthly tax (150 euros).

Official employment: collecting documents

Work permit in Montenegro

The question of how to get a job in Montenegro is far from idle. For official employment, the following documents will be required:

• passport;
• work permit;
• temporary residence permit;
• a document confirming the rental of housing or the right to property;
• medical certificate;
• education diploma or other qualification document.

There are several types of work permits:

• Personal – for those who already live in the country and have the appropriate status.
• For employment – ​​provides the owner with the right to permanent work. Its validity period is 1 year, then it can be extended for another two years.
• For work – with this permit you can apply for seasonal or temporary employment. Issued for up to six months.

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Salary in Montenegro

The average salary in Montenegro, especially in comparison with other European countries, is small - 770 euros per month (gross), after taxes - 450-500. The minimum salary is 193 euros.

A detailed acquaintance with the situation shows that higher earnings are in large cities and on the Adriatic coast, lower in rural inland areas. So, for example, work in Podgorica will pay two to three times higher than in the provinces.

The amount of remuneration largely depends on the profession and qualifications. The salaries of doctors, IT specialists, and managers average 600–700 euros.

More preferable offers can be found in branches of German, Italian and other foreign companies operating in Montenegro - up to 1000 euros.

At the height of the tourist season, work serving tourists, taking into account overtime and tips, can bring in income from 1,500 to 3,000 euros per month. Smaller incomes are partially offset by lower daily expenses for housing and food.

Taxation in Montenegro

Montenegro has an agreement with the Russian Federation on double taxation exemption. The country's tax system is not stable. In recent years, the interest rate chart has fluctuated upward more often than downward.

As of 2021, the VAT rate is 21%. The interest rate for income taxes is 9%.

Entrepreneurs who open their own business in areas of the country that are not covered by tourism and have low employment rates enjoy benefits—exemption from taxes for 3 years.

In Montenegro, fairly lenient taxation of individuals is practiced. The basic income tax rate is 9%. Social taxes include:

• 12% - for pension insurance;
• 7.5% - for health insurance;
• 0.5% - unemployment insurance.

Income taxation in the country is progressive:

The following are exempt from tax: profits received as inheritance, gifts, lottery and other gambling winnings, scholarships, pensions.

Taxes in Montenegro also include the performance of additional duties that are established by local administrations. Thus, in the capital, the amount of additional tax is 15% of the basic amount of income tax, in other municipalities - up to 13%. Property owners must pay from 0.1 to 1% of the cadastral value of housing.

Opening your own business in Montenegro

Many Russians are seriously considering founding their own company in this Balkan country, since it is not difficult for a foreign citizen to open a business in Montenegro (if he does not intend to produce weapons or cut down timber in protected areas). In addition, owning your own company will allow you to automatically renew your borawak and not have to interrupt it every three years.

Among the forms of doing business, the most popular among foreigners are LLC (DOO), JSC (AD), and branches of foreign companies. To open an LLC, an authorized capital of 1 euro is sufficient, for a JSC - 25 thousand euros.

The company registration procedure takes place at the registration chamber of the Commercial Court in Podgorica. To do this, it is necessary to prepare a charter in the state language, which, together with the act of establishing the company, is submitted for registration.

Registration itself, obtaining an identification number and opening a bank account take up to two weeks. All costs, including lawyer's fees, range from 500 to 600 euros.