GeoRealityMatch
Stunning aerial view of Podgorica cityscape at sunset, featuring vibrant orange skies and architecture.Breathtaking view of the lush valley and dramatic skies over Montenegro's mountain range.

Montenegro

Europe · Southeast Europe

Very high safetyAffordable cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and human development is high. Incomes are low for Europe.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 137 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development, very high safety and affordable cost of living.
vs Croatia
Safety

30th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.672lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#30 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
0.8per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
65.6Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes below the European median

Median disposable income
€6,600per adult, a year, after tax and transfersVery low
Eurostat · 2024
Rent index
16.6New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
13.0years of median income to buy a median flatModerateNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 235% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 63% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$20K$40K$35,423 PPP$14,817Inflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $4,423 a person, $10,440 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2007, $5,979 a person, $12,452 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2008, $7,390 a person, $13,802 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2009, $6,727 a person, $12,976 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2010, $6,679 a person, $13,612 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2011, $7,266 a person, $14,347 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2012, $6,552 a person, $13,792 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2013, $7,103 a person, $14,692 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2014, $7,342 a person, $15,276 at PPP, inflation -0.7%2015, $6,421 a person, $16,092 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2016, $6,968 a person, $18,030 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2017, $7,674 a person, $19,357 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2018, $8,674 a person, $21,084 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2019, $8,749 a person, $23,705 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2020, $7,555 a person, $20,625 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2021, $9,316 a person, $23,690 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2022, $10,038 a person, $28,050 at PPP, inflation 13%2023, $12,258 a person, $31,863 at PPP, inflation 8.6%2024, $13,270 a person, $34,063 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2025, $14,817 a person, $35,423 at PPP, inflation 3.9%$0$20K$40KInflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $4,423 a person, $10,440 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2007, $5,979 a person, $12,452 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2008, $7,390 a person, $13,802 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2009, $6,727 a person, $12,976 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2010, $6,679 a person, $13,612 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2011, $7,266 a person, $14,347 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2012, $6,552 a person, $13,792 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2013, $7,103 a person, $14,692 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2014, $7,342 a person, $15,276 at PPP, inflation -0.7%2015, $6,421 a person, $16,092 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2016, $6,968 a person, $18,030 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2017, $7,674 a person, $19,357 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2018, $8,674 a person, $21,084 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2019, $8,749 a person, $23,705 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2020, $7,555 a person, $20,625 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2021, $9,316 a person, $23,690 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2022, $10,038 a person, $28,050 at PPP, inflation 13%2023, $12,258 a person, $31,863 at PPP, inflation 8.6%2024, $13,270 a person, $34,063 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2025, $14,817 a person, $35,423 at PPP, inflation 3.9%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
77.9years, at birthHigh
#59 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
70WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100ModerateWHO · 2023
Air pollution
14.5PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageModerateWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Very fast home internet

Unemployment rate
13.6%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
137 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet137 MbpsVery fast
Mobile93 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
€1,800 a month
Duration
24 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
€67about $74
  • Tax treatmentExempt
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
Breathtaking view of the lush valley and dramatic skies over Montenegro's mountain range.
How it changed

Montenegro's Human Development Index

0.862Very high human development

48th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 33rd of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #46Hungary0.870
  2. #47Argentina0.865
  3. #48Montenegro0.862
  4. #48Uruguay0.862
  5. #50Oman0.858
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2003

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.764 in 2003 to 0.862 in 2023.

0.700.800.900.8622003201020232003: 0.7642004: 0.7682005: 0.7732006: 0.7852007: 0.7952008: 0.8062009: 0.8092010: 0.8152011: 0.8222012: 0.8252013: 0.8302014: 0.8332015: 0.8392016: 0.8362017: 0.8432018: 0.8492019: 0.8512020: 0.8412021: 0.8402022: 0.8532023: 0.8620.700.800.902003201020232003: 0.7642004: 0.7682005: 0.7732006: 0.7852007: 0.7952008: 0.8062009: 0.8092010: 0.8152011: 0.8222012: 0.8252013: 0.8302014: 0.8332015: 0.8392016: 0.8362017: 0.8432018: 0.8492019: 0.8512020: 0.8412021: 0.8402022: 0.8532023: 0.862

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 21 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
77.9 years2024at birthUp 3.9 years from 74 years in 2005
Internet users
89%2024of people onlineUp 60 points from 29% in 2006
Urban population
66%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 3 points from 63% in 2006
Births per woman
1.802024births per womanUp 0.11 from 1.69 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
40%2021of energy usedDown 8 points from 48% in 2005
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
22024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 7 from 9 in 2005
Forest area
61%2023of land under forestUp 6 points from 56% in 2006

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Tiny Adriatic state with EU candidate status, rising fast among nomads. The case for living here is peace and very high human development. The case against is low incomes for Europe.

About Montenegro

Montenegro is a small Adriatic country that compresses mountains, medieval walled towns, Orthodox monasteries, and a beautiful coastline into an area small enough to explore in a single trip. The Bay of Kotor is one of the most dramatic natural harbours in Europe, and the interior highlands give the country a rugged quality that distinguishes it from its coastal neighbours. It suits travellers who want both sea and mountain in a single compact destination.

Practical facts

  • CapitalPodgorica
  • LanguagesMontenegrin
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area13,450 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Borders

AlbaniaBosnia and HerzegovinaCroatiaSerbia

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Quick answers

What is Montenegro's Human Development Index?

Montenegro's Human Development Index is 0.862 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #48 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Montenegro safe?

Montenegro scores 1.67 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #30 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Montenegro?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Montenegro at 42.7 (New York = 100); that is #79 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Montenegro?

Life expectancy at birth in Montenegro is 77.9 yrs (World Bank), ranked #59 of 195 countries.