Expat Montenegro

One of the exquisite pearls of the Mediterranean, Montenegro is a scenic country located in the south-eastern part of Europe. It shares its borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Croatia. The country won its independence in 2006 after severing ties with Serbia. The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica. Montenegro is a fast developing nation and it is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for security and Co-operation in Europe and the Central European Free Trade Agreement. The country is also a potential candidate for the EU (European Union).

Climate

The coastal regions of Montenegro experience Mediterranean climate. The summers are long and dry while the winters are short, mild and rainy. The average winter temperature is 48°F and although the temperature rarely drops below freezing, the weather can be bitterly cold owing to the northern winds. The average July temperatures are 82°F. November tends to be the wettest month and precipitation principally occurs during the winter months.

The central plains of Montenegro often tend to be warmer in summer and colder in winter, compared to the coastal regions. The capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, has an average temperature of 41°F in the month of January and 83°F in July. The maximum temperature can go up to 104°F and the minimum can drop to 14°F.

The mountainous regions of Montenegro offer temperate climate during the summer months. They receive some of the highest amounts of rainfall in Europe. It is interesting to note that the mountains are covered with snow throughout the winter. The summer months have a maximum of 73°F and a minimum of 48°F. The winter temperatures go from 37°F to 18°F.

Government

The government of Montenegro is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The new constitution was framed on 22 October 2007. The parliament is a unicameral legislative body. The president of Montenegro is elected through direct elections and his tenure lasts for a period of 5 years. Cetinje, a town in Montenegro, houses the official residence of the president. The current president of Montenegro is President Filip Vujanovi?. He has held office since 2003 and from 21 May 2008, he has been serving his second presidential term. He is the first president to take office since Montenegro became an independent nation in June 2006 after its official split with Serbia.

Tax System

A foreign resident in Montenegro pays income tax only on the income he has earned in Montenegro while a permanent resident of Montenegro is required to pay tax on both the income he has earned in Montenegro and overseas. There are several commodities that are taxed at a reduced rate of 7% in Montenegro. These include:

accommodation services (available in hotels, boarding houses, camps, villas, motels and so on)
public transportation (passengers and their luggage)
funeral services, sports facilities for non-profit purposes
pesticides, fodder, fertilizers
textbooks and teaching aids
staple foods such as milk, fat, oil, bread and sugar
medicines including those used for veterinary purposes except for the drugs that have been covered by the Republic Health Insurance Fund
Prosthetic and other medical devices implanted in the human body except for those that have been covered by the Republic Health Insurance Fund
copyrights and services in the fields of science, artifacts, and education
services charged for concerts, fairs, museums and so on using tickets except for those that are legally exempt from the payment of VAT

Medical Care

The health care system in Montenegro is one that is constantly evolving. The government is making efforts to improve and provide better health services. Public health care services will be provided for citizens and their dependents if they pay for the Health Insurance Fund (HIF). The HIF is a system that tries to ensure that contributions are made by employers and by citizens who are employed. Montenegro’s health care system is made up of both public and private run health care facilities. The good news is that Montenegro has well-trained medical professionals. However, the hospitals and clinics may not have very advanced equipment for treatment. Having said that, a foreign national can definitely expect to be treated by a medical professional who is well-trained with the aid of the basic health services required. It is good to be aware of the health care system provided by Montenegro and comprehend its setbacks and limitations. Expatriates can make sure that medical evacuation is part of their international health insurance for Montenegro. In case of a medical emergency, you can then relocate to a country which can provide you with the treatment required.

Real Estate

The demand for real estate investment in Montenegro has increased a great deal after it gained its independence in 2006. It is a market that shows the promise of great potential, primarily because, the real estate here is hugely undervalued. There is relatively little red tape involved in the registration process of the sale and purchase of real estate in Montenegro. The entire process to purchase a property can take as little as one or two days to complete. With the promise of an affordable and beautiful holiday home in the sun, the real estate climate in Montenegro is extremely favorable now. The tourism market is growing rapidly and so, it would be wise to invest in suitable coastal properties for rental purposes. The opportunity for international investors is great considering the relatively low utility payments and the tax regulations for owners of real estate. Also, the real estate sale prices and construction are lower in Montenegro when compared to other European countries. An investment in a home on the Adriatic Sea is sure to prove to be a worthy investment because real estate prices are going to steadily keep increasing and growing.

Web Sites for Real Estate in Montenegro

Shopping

Not only is Montenegro a picturesque and beautiful place but also, it offers a unique and enjoyable shopping experience. There is an old world charm that fills its crowded market places and one can find products ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, jewelery to household appliances. For the brand conscious people, Montenegro’s answer is in the malls found in the capital territory of the country. To name some, we have the Delta City Podgorica Mall and the Mall of Montenegro. The green markets of Montenegro offer a variety of products such as freshly picked fruits, fresh fish, a thrilling assortment of aromatic cheeses and cream and a wide variety of meats to choose from. ‘Kajmak’, a particular variety of fresh cheese, is a must buy from these markets. Not unlike the flea markets found in large European cities, Montenegro also has its share of similar open air markets. Goods here are offered at lower prices and while you strike a good deal here, you might also be told an interesting tale or two by the local vendors. Cheap cloth imported from Turkey and Italy can be found here apart from general household goods and electronic products of lesser known brands. Another interesting place that you can head to for a shopping spree would be Herceg Novi where apart from the boutiques you will also find jewelery shops and art galleries to hold your interest. Tetka Zlata is a local coffee brand that might be worth trying and another great gift idea from Montenegro would be its red wine, Vranac. Not only does it taste great but it is also cheap and affordable. Most shops accept credit cards but it might be advisable to carry cash since it might be needed to make small payments.

Cost of Living

The cost of clothing and footwear products, communication costs (rental of home telephone and call charges, fee for Internet connection and service provider, cellular phones contract and calls and so on), education costs (creche, primary school fees, high school fees, college fees, tertiary study fees and so on),furniture and appliances costs (refrigerator, freezer, DVD player, toaster and so on), grocery costs, personal care costs (hair care products, nappies, pain killer tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste and so on), recreational costs (books, films, cinema tickets, DVDs and CDs and so on), costs incurred in restaurants, eat outs, are all comparatively less expensive than other cities.

On the other hand, health care (general health care, medical costs, insurance, consultation fees of general practitioner, daily rate of a ward in a private hospital and so on) is more expensive compared to other cities.

The cost of tobacco and alcohol products as well as transportation costs (public transport, fuel prices, vehicle maintenance and insurance and so on) are found to be equally expensive on an average when compared to other cities.