Work in Montenegro for foreigners: realities of 2025

Employment in Montenegro has a clear specificity: high seasonality, strict quotas for non-residents, and a shortage of qualified personnel. As of the end of 2025, the average net salary reached 1015 euros, but the gap between sectors is enormous.

For legal employment, a foreigner requires a work permit (dozvola za rad), which is usually issued for one year with the right of extension. In 2025, the rules became stricter: the employer must prove the absence of local candidates before hiring a foreigner.

Attention: Fines for illegal employment for companies reach 20,000 euros, and the worker faces deportation. Always check the proper documentation (prijava).

Where to look for vacancies

The most effective way to search for a job is a combined method: online monitoring and personal contacts on the ground.

Online resources

Zazz.gov.me — the official website of the Employment Agency (Zavod za zapošljavanje). All official vacancies are published here, including quotas for foreigners.
Prekoveze.me / Zaposli.me — popular local job aggregators. Filters by regions and types of employment are available.
Social networks — Facebook groups (“Work in Montenegro”, “Montenegro classifieds”) and Telegram channels. Most often, staff is sought here for Russian-speaking companies and seasonal workers.
LinkedIn — relevant only for the IT sector, finance, and large international hotel chains (One&Only, Regent).

Offline and networking

Personal connections are strong in Montenegro. If you are in the country:

Send resumes directly to companies, even if there are no open vacancies.
Visit establishments in person (especially in tourism) before the start of the season (February–March).
Use expat communities for recommendations.

Tip: Russian-speaking applicants have an advantage in companies oriented toward tourists from CIS countries, as well as in real estate and beauty services.

Salary levels by profession (Net)

Salaries are indicated “net” after tax deductions. The minimum wage (gross) is 533 euros. The cost of living for a family of two is estimated at 700–800 euros (excluding housing rent during peak season).

IT and office specialties

IT developers / Project Managers: 1200 – 2500+ euros. Remote work is possible, as well as obtaining a “digital nomad” residence permit (with income from 1350 euros).
Finance and insurance: 1600 – 1750 euros.
Realtors: 800 – 1500 euros (fixed salary is often absent; income depends on commissions).
Translators: about 800 euros.

Tourism and service sector (Seasonal)

During the summer season (May–September), incomes are higher due to tips, but downtime often occurs in winter.

Waiters: 450 – 1600 euros (including tips).
Cooks / Chefs: 420 – 800 euros. Meals and accommodation are often provided.
Housekeepers: 450 – 600 euros.
Administrators / Reception: 600 – 800 euros (English and Montenegrin are required).
Animators: 400 – 1800 euros.
Tour guides: 350 – 1700 euros (strong dependence on tourist flow).

Manual professions and medicine

Construction workers (electricians, welders): 700 – 850 euros. Demand is stable year-round, peak — autumn–winter.
Drivers / Taxi: 400 – 430 euros + bonuses.
Medical specialists (private clinics): 600 – 700 euros (dentists, ophthalmologists). Diploma nostrification and language knowledge are required.
Nannies / Governesses: 400 – 800 euros or hourly pay from 3 euros/hour.

Taxes: Income tax is 9–11%, plus a municipal fee of 13–15%. Montenegro offers one of the lowest tax burdens in Europe.

In-demand niches and staff shortages

Local youth actively leave for EU countries, creating a vacuum in the labor market. Foreigners most often fill the following positions:

Construction: Acute shortage of engineers, finishing masters, electricians.
Medicine: Deficit of narrow specialists.
Beauty services: Manicurists, hairdressers (especially in the expat environment, where service quality is valued).
Education: Foreign language teachers, educators in private Russian-speaking kindergartens and schools.

Risks and recommendations

The main risk of working in Montenegro is seasonality. In coastal cities, life slows down from November to March. If you do not work remotely or in construction, you need to plan your winter budget in advance.

Alternatives to employment:

Digital Nomad Visa: Residence permit for 2 years, exemption from income tax in Montenegro. Requires confirmed income from abroad.
Opening a sole proprietorship (Preduzetnik) or DOO: A popular legalization route. Share capital from 1 euro, but accounting costs arise (from 50–100 euros/month) and taxes.

For successful employment, the following are critically important: knowledge of English (for tourism) and Montenegrin (for qualified work and the public sector), as well as nostrification of education diplomas.

Work in Montenegro for foreigners: realities of 2025