Buying Property in Montenegro 2025: Taxes, Notary, Deadlines

Montenegro remains one of the most attractive countries for buying seaside property: mild climate, transparent laws, and a clear procedure for foreigners.

In 2024, some rules were updated: a progressive tax was introduced for resale properties, while VAT applies to new-builds. Let’s break it down step by step — and show how Eco-Build manages transactions “turn-key”.

Buying in 2025: Key Facts

Foreigners can freely purchase apartments, houses, and urban land plots.
Restrictions apply only to agricultural land (can be solved via company registration).
Resale properties: progressive tax 3% / 5% / 6% (since 2024).
New-builds (direct from developer): 21% VAT, usually included in the price.

Buyer’s Costs

Transfer Tax (resale)

Up to €150,000 → 3%
€150,000–€500,000 → €4,500 + 5% on the excess above €150,000
Over €500,000 → €22,000 + 6% on the excess above €500,000

VAT (new-builds)
Instead of transfer tax, new-build purchases are subject to 21% VAT (usually included in the price).
Notary & Translator
At €100,000 deal → notary fee approx. €350.
Larger properties = higher fee (max ~€5,000).
Foreigners need a court translator if they don’t speak Serbian (~€50/hour or €15–20/page).
Ownership Registration
The notary submits the contract to the cadastre. By law, registration must be done within 60 days, but in practice delays may occur (especially in summer).
Additional Costs

Government fees and extracts → tens of euros.
Bank transfer fees → 0.25–1%.

Timeline of a Typical Transaction

Property search & due diligence: 3–10 days
Contract draft & notary: 1–5 days
Payment & cadastre filing: on deal day
Tax payment: within 15 days
Registration: up to 60 days

How Much Extra to Budget?

On average, plan 4–5% of the purchase price for taxes, notary, translator, and related costs.

👉 Example: for a €200,000 apartment, expect €8–10k additional expenses.

Why Eco-Build Support Matters

Even with clear rules, it’s essential to:

check for encumbrances,
ensure taxes/fees are paid on time,
organize notary & translator,
handle banking operations correctly.

We do all of this for you. Result: clean ownership, registered in the cadastre, ready for living or rental.

FAQ

Can foreigners buy land?
Yes, if it’s urbanized and intended for construction. Agricultural land only through a company.

How long does a deal take?
With documents ready → within a week.

What if tax is not paid on time?
Fines and penalties. We strictly monitor deadlines.

About us

Eco-Build — developer and real estate agency on the Montenegrin coast.
We build, sell, and manage deals: from property search and negotiations to notary and cadastre registration.

Our principle — transparency and safety. With us, buying in Montenegro is smooth and risk-free.

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