Montenegrin citizenship can be acquired in several different ways, depending on a person’s family background, place of birth, residence and individual circumstances. Under Montenegro’s citizenship legislation, the main routes are citizenship by origin, birth in Montenegro, admission to citizenship and international agreements. The rules are particularly relevant for people with Montenegrin parents or ancestry, people who have established long term residence in the country and certain people whose admission could be considered to be in Montenegro’s national interest. One of the most straightforward routes can apply to people with a Montenegrin parent. The law provides several circumstances in which citizenship can be acquired by origin, including children whose parents are Montenegrin citizens and certain children born abroad to a Montenegrin parent. There are also specific rules for people who reach adulthood and have one Montenegrin parent, although eligibility can depend on factors such as the person’s other citizenship and whether the required registration or application was made within the legally prescribed period. Children over the age of 14 may also need to give their consent in certain citizenship procedures.
For people without a direct citizenship claim through their parents, another possibility is admission to Montenegrin citizenship. This route generally involves meeting legal requirements connected to residence and other personal circumstances. Montenegro’s official government information states that admission can apply to people who meet the conditions established by the citizenship law and have permanent residence, while separate provisions exist for people married to Montenegrin citizens and for applicants whose admission would be considered to be of special interest to Montenegro. Montenegrin emigrants and certain members of their families can also have a separate route under the law. Applicants should also be aware that obtaining citizenship through admission is not simply a matter of living in Montenegro for a certain period. The procedure involves documentation and legal checks, and the exact requirements depend on the category under which a person is applying. Montenegro’s official application information confirms that applications for admission must be submitted personally to the competent diplomatic or consular mission when the applicant is applying from abroad. The government currently lists a consular fee of €135 for an admission application.
Montenegro also has specific rules concerning people who already hold another citizenship. The country’s citizenship framework regulates not only how citizenship can be acquired, but also how it can be lost, including through release and in circumstances defined by law. Because citizenship legislation and administrative procedures can change, anyone considering an application should check the current requirements with Montenegro’s Ministry of Interior or a Montenegrin diplomatic mission rather than relying solely on older online guides. The 2017 article that inspired this story, for example, lists requirements that reflect the rules and procedures available at that time, while the Montenegrin government now provides updated official information and application forms.
