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Henley & Partners is delighted to announce its milestone submission of 100 applications for the Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program. Of these, 33 international investors and their families have already received both their citizenship and their passports, despite the ongoing disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The leading global residence and citizenship planning firm is one of only three government-appointed marketing agents for the highly sought-after citizenship-by-investment program, which is due to close at the end of this year.
Rade Ljumović, Director at Henley & Partners in Montenegro, says the program offers high-net-worth investors a significant opportunity in a dynamic regional market but there are only a few months left to apply. “One reason for Montenegro’s success is that it caters for investors with a diverse range of interests and requirements. Investors can choose between glamorous seaside resorts where they can invest in new hotels that are being established by reputable developers, including cutting-edge options such as the SIRO brand by Kerzner International and InterContinental. Alternatively, they can opt for the northern parts of the country, where there are exclusive ski and mountain resorts in advanced stages of construction such as Swissôtel.”
Montenegro is currently on the EU’s ‘safe list’ of countries with relatively low rates of Covid-19 infection, and its passport ranks 45th on the Henley Passport Index, providing its holders with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 124 destinations worldwide, including Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE, and the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area. As well as being a NATO member, Montenegro is a recognized candidate for future membership of the EU, with the government’s chief negotiator, Zorka Kordic, recently giving 2024 as the target timeline for Montenegrin accession. Last month, the EU Information Centre in Montenegro published research findings showing that 73.8% of the population supported EU accession, and 86.9% would vote in favor of joining the EU should there be a referendum on the question. The EU ambassador to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, recently noted that the trust of Montenegrin citizens is motivating to the EU and encouraging for Montenegro’s accession.
Applicants to the Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program are required to make a defined economic contribution to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent vetting and due diligence process including thorough background checks by specialized firms, applicants and their families are granted Montenegrin citizenship. The main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and contribute EUR 100,000 to the Government of Montenegro, designated for the advancement of local under-developed, self-government units. In addition, applicants can invest at least EUR 450,000 in an approved development project in the capital Podgorica or in the popular coastal region of Montenegro. Alternatively, they can invest a minimum of EUR 250,000 in an approved development project in the northern or central regions of Montenegro (excluding Podgorica). Additional government processing fees and other application fees apply.
CEO of Henley & Partners, Dr. Juerg Steffen, says the resulting increase in business activity and new employment opportunities created by the program will benefit all Montenegrins. “Investment migration enables sovereign states such as Montenegro to tap into a new source of sustainable revenue without becoming overleveraged. In the current pandemic environment, as in the wake of previous disruptions such as the 2008 financial crisis, residence and citizenship programs create significant value both for investors and for sovereign states in need of alternative revenue streams.”
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Notes to Editors
About Henley & Partners
Henley & Partners is the global leader in residence and citizenship planning. Each year, hundreds of wealthy individuals and their advisors rely on our expertise and experience in this area. The firm’s highly qualified professionals work together as one team in over 30 offices worldwide.
The concept of residence and citizenship planning was created by Henley & Partners in the 1990s. As globalization has expanded, residence and citizenship have become topics of significant interest among the increasing number of internationally mobile entrepreneurs and investors whom we proudly serve every day.
The firm also runs a leading government advisory practice that has raised more than USD 10 billion in foreign direct investment. Trusted by governments, the firm has been involved in strategic consulting and in the design, set-up, and operation of the world’s most successful residence and citizenship programs.
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For further information, please contact:
Sarah Nicklin
Group Head of Public Relations
sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com
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