Life in Montenegro for Russians: features, pros and cons

Travel and change of scenery have always been of interest to everyone since the time of Moses. People love to look for something new and more livable. If you were born in one place, nothing can prevent you from moving to a different, more attractive climate and suitable place in terms of conditions. One of these tempting places is Montenegro.

For most European countries, immigration requires a solid budget. However, in Russia, residents are mostly middle class, so when moving to Montenegro it is not necessary to have a large amount of euros. They do not require you to be useful, do not consider your financial possibilities in order to issue you a residence permit.

There are several ways to immigrate to this beautiful country from Russia:

• start business;
• buy local real estate;
• enroll in an educational institution;
• to get a job;
• although there are no large research centers in the country, there is still the possibility of relocation as a research assistant;
• marry.

As for the last point, the number of interethnic marriages is increasing, so there should not be any particular difficulties. First, you need to acquire a residence permit for a different reason, live in Montenegro for a while, then apply for permanent residence.

There are quite a few advantages of living in Montenegro, but the main one is the visa policy, namely, its loyalty.Immigrants do not need to immediately obtain a residence permit, it is enough just to visit neighboring countries once a month, for example: Bosnia or Serbia.

You can issue the documents necessary for staying in the country by purchasing real estate or registering a business. At the end of the 3-year period of time, you can get permanent residence, but this can be difficult.

The language of Montenegro is simple, well assimilated, you can learn without difficulty, especially it is close to Ukrainian. In terms of religion, it will also not be difficult to understand their basic foundations and morality, since the majority of residents are Orthodox Christians.

One of the advantages is the beauty of the local nature. The various landscapes will delight the eye of even the experienced traveler. And the availability of fruit is always attractive to the residents of Russia.

In Montenegro, the situation is quite calm in terms of criminal events. The guests of the country are not particularly touched, it is rather a rarity, only fights of local residents are possible.

However, life in Montenegro also has its drawbacks.

• The country is very small, so if you have any special needs in terms of acquiring the latest wonders of technology, you will have to visit neighboring countries and buy a new product there. The main service for the repair of equipment is concentrated in the center, so it will take time to travel.
• In terms of medicine, its weak development can be noted. Therefore, if you have chronic diseases, then you should not choose this area, or receive treatment elsewhere.
• The measured unhurried lifestyle of local residents "polako" can confuse you if you were a resident of a metropolis before. Late is normal here.
• For the guardians of a healthy lifestyle, it can be unpleasant that smoking in the country can be anywhere, be it a public place or an enclosed space.
• Lack of central heating on the outskirts, on the coast.

The attitude towards Russians is rather stereotyped here. They are believed to be rich and can buy even the most unclaimed things. And if you are not rich, then you probably have more than one rich acquaintance, so the opportunity to meet in this country with the consumer attitude of local realtors is not excluded.

The unrestricted use of alcohol, especially the world famous vodka, is the most enduring stereotype. Therefore, it is not recommended to waste your energy once again and try to convince them otherwise.

Local residents are sure that all immigrants from Russia love the cold. Therefore, it becomes unusual to fall asleep in a cool room. And for residents of Russia, who are accustomed to heating rooms, living in such conditions is uncomfortable.

The tendency of women from Russia to have resort romances gave rise to the myth of the easy accessibility and licentious behavior of Russian girls. Although Montenegrins show an increased interest in our compatriots.

What can be the norm for us can offend a Montenegrin. As soon as you ask not to smoke it in your home, they will find you extremely inhospitable, which slightly reduces the benevolence towards Russians.

In Montenegro, as in most countries, there is a Russian diaspora that meets annually. There are also Russian-speaking kindergartens, clubs and radio. Therefore, the opportunity to speak your native language is always present.

Preschool education here is excellent and very affordable. Prices in private gardens are also moderate. School education is free. Higher education, on the other hand, is not particularly high-quality, but it does not differ too much from Russian on average. Admission to universities is guaranteed, you can also get a residence permit. The cost of studies is up to two thousand euros per year, knowledge of foreign languages ​​is not a priority.

In terms of medicine, immigrants are entitled to receive services free of charge, but as mentioned above, you should not expect a special quality.

It is not difficult to find a job in Montenegro due to the low unemployment rate. The average salary is about 500 euros. There are no restrictions on the admission of Russian immigrants due to the seasonal shortage of personnel in the resort areas of the country. In addition to hired work, you can freelance, open your own business, for example, a travel agency, retail outlets, workshops, car rentals, which are seasonally popular in the tourist area.

Buying real estate is cheaper here than in other resort areas in Europe. If you buy in other countries, then you need to spend a significant amount, for example, in Greece such a purchase will cost at least 250 thousand euros. And in Montenegro, you can choose a suitable area at any cost. It is also difficult, but quite possible, with proper proof of income, to obtain a mortgage for foreigners or an installment plan from a developer.

Consider what expenses a citizen of Montenegro has on a monthly basis.

Prices for this category are differentiated depending on the location of the store. In tourist areas, prices are much higher. So, having 30 euros, you can afford to buy a dozen eggs (1.4 euros), sugar 1 kg (0.8 euros), 1 kg of chicken meat and 1 kg of beef (from 4 to 8 euros), fish (7-10 euros) , 1 kg of vegetables (up to 3 euros), cereals and juice (about 1-2 euros). Despite the relative availability of the grocery basket, it is important to note its quality and freshness.

This category is also not very expensive, for example, jeans can be purchased for 70 euros, sneakers for 85 euros, shoes for up to 100 euros.

Utility bills include water, gas and electricity bills. The prices are reasonable, so for a 3-room apartment the payments will be about 60 euros. These prices are subject to tariffs that depend on the time of day of consumption. There is a discount at night.

The taxes correspond to the usual Russian taxes: value added tax, payments on personal income, property tax and income tax (legal entities). The VAT rate is 19%, which roughly corresponds to the Russian legislation, for some goods the tax amount is 7%.

Personal income tax is calculated according to a differentiated system, so, with a salary of less than 480 euros, the tax amount will be 9%, but if you exceed this amount - 15%. Income tax is 9%, and on dividend income 15%. But if you invest all your income in the development of your own business, then the tax is not calculated.

The residents of Russia who have moved to Montenegro speak about life in the country rather ambiguously. In general, if we state, there are pros and cons in every aspect of life in these parts. The beauty of the region amaze the imagination with its purity and intactness. And the mentality of local residents is shocking with its seeming indifference and slowness. Therefore, many people see Montenegro as a place of temporary stay, perhaps for the winter months, in order to escape from the harsh Russian winter. Dreams of high earnings often collapse, because the wages cannot be called high, it all depends on the area of ​​your activity.

Having studied the history of Montenegro and the mentality of local residents, you can perfectly arrange your life in this underappreciated country, place your children in educational institutions and easily find a suitable job.

All the pros and cons of living in Montenegro are in the video below.