These two Balkan routes look similar on paper, but their current position differs sharply. Montenegro closed its citizenship by investment programme, while North Macedonia has reopened one.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Montenegro ran a citizenship by investment programme that combined a government contribution with an approved investment, but the government concluded that programme on 31 December 2022. There is no active citizenship by investment route in Montenegro today, although a property based residency route exists that can build toward naturalisation over many years.
North Macedonia operates an investor citizenship route administered through its Ministry of the Interior, using an investment fund option or a direct business investment that creates local jobs. Treat both positions as subject to change and confirm them with the official authority.
Because Montenegro closed its citizenship by investment programme, there is no current qualifying citizenship contribution to quote. The separate property residency route reported a minimum property purchase from 150,000 euros, which leads to residency rather than an immediate passport.
For North Macedonia, reported routes are an investment of 200,000 euros into an approved private investment fund held for at least two years, or 400,000 euros as a direct investment in new facilities that employs at least ten people. Government charges and professional fees apply. Confirm the current figures with each authority.
Montenegro no longer issues citizenship by investment, so the only routes left run through residency and long naturalisation. North Macedonia has been reported to process investor citizenship within a few months once an application is complete. Confirm current timelines before you plan around them.
A Montenegrin passport offers visa free or visa on arrival access to a wide set of destinations and Montenegro is an European Union candidate country, though candidacy is not membership. A North Macedonian passport also reaches a broad list of destinations and North Macedonia is likewise a candidate country. Neither passport grants European Union citizenship. Check the latest access lists, which change.
Montenegro now suits people willing to take a residency first path and a long horizon toward citizenship rather than a direct investment route. North Macedonia suits applicants who want an active investor citizenship route, understand it is discretionary, and can document a lawful source of funds.
| Item | Montenegro | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by investment | Closed since 31 December 2022 | Reported open through investor routes |
| Reported investment | No active citizenship route; property residency from 150,000 euros | Fund route 200,000 euros, or direct investment 400,000 euros creating ten jobs |
| Outcome | Residency then long naturalisation | Investor citizenship |
| European Union status | Candidate country, not a member | Candidate country, not a member |
| Official authority | Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro | Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. Montenegro concluded its citizenship by investment programme on 31 December 2022. Any route now runs through residency and long naturalisation.
No. It is discretionary, runs due diligence, and can be refused. Confirm the current rules with the Ministry of the Interior.
No. Both countries are candidates for European Union membership, which is not the same as being a member, so neither passport grants European Union citizenship.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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