Montenegro is changing. And so are the people moving here.
For years, Russian buyers and residents played a major role in Montenegro’s property market. That is now changing rapidly. As Montenegro continues its path towards closer EU integration, many Russians are leaving the country (70% have left over the past year), while we are seeing growing interest from buyers and future residents from the EU, the UK and the USA.
What’s interesting is where many of these people are coming from.
A few years ago, Dubai was often the obvious alternative. Today, many of the clients contacting us have already considered Dubai or Spain before turning their attention to Montenegro.
Why?
Because they are not just looking for sunshine or a tax advantage.
They are looking for authenticity, and a good quality of life.
Montenegro still offers something increasingly difficult to find elsewhere: low taxes, four genuine seasons, a safe environment, a spectacular coastline, mountain wilderness, historic towns and a way of life that feels refreshingly real.
In a single day, you can have breakfast overlooking a superyacht marina, lunch in a UNESCO-protected medieval town and dinner in the mountains. Few places offer that combination.
The timing is also interesting.
This Friday, 5 June 2026, leaders from across the European Union and the Western Balkans will gather in Porto Montenegro, Tivat, for the EU–Western Balkans Summit. It is another sign of Montenegro’s growing importance and its ambition to join the EU, currently targeted for around 2028. Whether EU membership is ultimately achieved or not, investors are paying attention.
Croatia’s property market grew by over 16% annually in the years following EU accession. Montenegro is widely seen as being at a similar stage today.
But perhaps the most important thing to understand about Montenegro is that it is fundamentally a mountain country. The average elevation is over 1,000 metres, one of the highest in Europe. For centuries, people here lived in isolated mountain communities where resilience, independence and hospitality were not optional; they were essential for survival.
Those qualities remain visible today. They shape the culture, the pace of life and the character of the people you meet.
As Dutch expats who moved here in 2019, we increasingly see buyers who are not looking for a quick investment or an escape route. They are looking for a place where they genuinely want to spend time, build a life and become part of a community.
And that is usually when Montenegro works best.
We help European and American clients navigate the process; from finding the right property to settling into this beautiful country.
Come because you want to be here.
The rest tends to follow.
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