Podgorica: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, with about 180,000 residents. It is the administrative and business centre of a small country: government, banks, the university, trade and construction. The sea is an hour away and the mountains even closer, and the official currency is the euro, although Montenegro is not yet in the European Union.

Who it suits: people working for government bodies and companies in the capital, families who want an affordable life near the sea, and those getting residence through a company. Who it does not suit: lovers of a mild climate - it is the hottest place in the country in summer - and those looking for a big city with a dense cultural life.

Districts: where newcomers settle

• The centre and Nova Varoš - old streets, cafés, everything within walking distance.
• City Kvart - new residential complexes, malls and offices, popular with foreigners.
• Preko Morače - the right bank of the river, quiet neighbourhoods and parks.
• Zabjelo and Gorica - quieter and cheaper, with private houses.

Cost of living

• One-bedroom flat - roughly €400-600 a month, about $450-680, more in new complexes.
• Groceries and cafés - cheaper than in the European Union; coffee and lunch in the centre are affordable.
• Utilities - higher in summer for air conditioning and in winter for heating.
• Car - very convenient, as public transport is limited.

Practicalities: transport, climate, language, money

• Transport. The airport is next to the city, a train runs to the coast at Bar, and Budva is about an hour by car.
• Climate. Hot summers up to +40, mild short winters with rain.
• Language. Montenegrin, close to Serbian. Many people understand Russian and English.
• Money. Euro; cards are widely accepted, and a bank account is opened with residence.

Moving and legal status

• New visa rules - Russian and Belarusian citizens need a visa from 1 November 2026. Holders of a valid temporary or permanent residence card need no visa to enter.
• Residence for home owners - after amendments passed on 31 December 2025, with a tax value of the home from €150,000, about $170,000.
• Residence for company owners - renewal requires taxes and contributions of at least €5,000 a year.
• Absence of more than 30 days can break the chain of renewals.
• Permanent residence - after 5 years of continuous living.

More in Montenegro residence. Taxes: income tax 0-15%, with the first €700 a month tax-free; more in Montenegro taxes.

Work and business

• Where foreigners work - remotely for foreign companies, in tourism, construction and services.
• Your own company - a limited company is registered quickly and provides grounds for the director's residence.
• Corporate tax - 9-15% in profit bands.
• Banks - check the source of funds, and checks take longer for Russian citizens.

Family: schools and healthcare

• Schools - state schools teach in Montenegrin; private and international schools are mostly in Podgorica and on the coast.
• Healthcare - state care through insurance for those employed; private clinics are inexpensive, and complex treatment often means Belgrade or abroad.
• Kindergartens - state and private, with a shortage of places in new districts.

Safety and everyday details

• The city is calm; the main risk is aggressive driving.
• In summer heat life shifts to the evening, and the streets empty in the daytime.
• Registration of your place of stay is mandatory; hotels do it for you.

Coast and mountains nearby

• Budva and Bečići - beaches and promenades about an hour away.
• Lake Skadar - a national park half an hour from the city, with boats and wineries.
• Bar - a port reached by train from Podgorica, with ferries to Italy.
• Durmitor and the Tara Canyon - mountains and rafting two to three hours by car.
• Kotor - the old town on the Bay of Kotor, about an hour and a half away.

Banks, phones and everyday details

• Banks - accounts are opened with residence; checks take longer for Russian citizens and require source-of-funds documents.
• Phones - SIM cards are sold against a passport, and mobile internet is cheap.
• Cash - needed at markets and small shops.
• Registration - when renting, the owner or you register your stay within 24 hours.
• Summer - many spend the hottest weeks on the coast or in the mountains.

Is it worth living here

Podgorica is an affordable base with the euro, the sea nearby and a clear route to residence. But from 1 November 2026 Russian citizens can enter only with a visa or a residence card, and residence conditions have tightened. Moving makes sense if you can secure status in time and are ready for hot summers. For life by the sea, many choose the coast and travel to the capital on business.