Property

Annual Property Tax

Annual property tax in Montenegro — paid every year by owners based on the assessed market value. Statutory rate 0.25–1.00 % (secondary residence 0.3–1.5 %); the exact rate is set by the municipality. Deadlines: 30 June and 31 October.

Annual (municipal decision by 30 April)
0.25 % – 1 % of market value (secondary residence up to 1.5 %)
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Updated: 16.08.2026

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Key facts

  • Rate 0.25–1 % of market value a year (secondary housing 0.3–1.5 %).
  • Municipality's decision by 30 April; paid by 30 June and 31 October.
  • The taxpayer is whoever owns the property on 1 January of that year.
  • A base up to €5,000 is exempt if the property earns no income.

Procedure

Anyone (individual or legal entity) who, as of 1 January of the current year, owns real estate (apartment, house, commercial premises, land) in Montenegro. If you bought property during the year, the tax for that year is owed by the previous owner unless the contract says otherwise.

Property owner
Property certificate (LN)ID document

If you recently became owner (registration, inheritance, gift), notify the local tax authority of the municipality where the property is located within 30 days of acquisition. If you are already registered, the municipality has cadastre data and will issue the decision on its own.

Owner30 days from acquisition
Property certificateContract / registration decision

The municipality (local tax authority) determines the tax base from the assessed market value, applies the municipal rate, and issues a decision — by law by 30 April of the current year (Art. 15). The decision arrives by post or via the Tax Administration portal.

Local tax authorityBy 30 April (by law)
Property tax decision

The decision states the market value, the municipal rate (depends on property type and municipality), the tax amount, and the deadlines. If you disagree with the valuation you can file an objection within 15 days of receiving the decision.

OwnerObjection deadline: 15 days
DecisionObjection (if needed)

The annual tax is usually paid in two instalments: the first by 30 June, the second by 31 October. Smaller amounts may be paid in one go. Payment goes to the account stated in the decision (each municipality has its own).

OwnerBy 30 June and 31 October
DecisionPayment confirmation

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Statutory range of annual tax rates (each municipality picks a rate within the range)

Property typeRate (Property Tax Law, Art. 9–10)
All real estate — general rate (apartment, house, commercial premises, land)0.25 % — 1.00 % of market value
Secondary residence (dwelling where the owner has no registered residence; property owned by a legal entity)0.3 % — 1.5 %
Illegally built structure — residential0.3 % — 1.5 %
Illegally built structure — other0.3 % — 2.0 %
Primary residence — statutory relief−20 % + 10 % per household member, max −50 % (Art. 12)
Total tax base ≤ €5,000no tax is due if the property is not used to earn income (Art. 13)

Payment deadlines

InstalmentDeadline
First instalment30 June
Second instalment31 October
Single payment (small amounts)As stated in the decision
Late-payment interestDefault interest: ECB base rate + 3 p.p. per year (set every 6 months by the Tax Administration)

Main exemptions

CategoryCondition
Diplomatic and consular missionsReciprocity
Military real estateState-owned, used for defence
Religious buildingsChurches, monasteries, mosques, etc.
Cultural monumentsUnder protection
Public real estateRoads, parks, public buildings
Actively cultivated agricultural landWorked by a registered farm

Additional notes

Different municipalities have different rates — Podgorica, Budva and Tivat are usually at the upper end of the range, northern municipalities at the lower end. The exact rate for your municipality is in the annual municipal decision.

Secondary residences (an apartment or house where the owner has no registered residence, and property owned by legal entities) are taxed at a higher rate — 0.3 % to 1.5 % (Art. 10–11). The only dwelling in Montenegro of an owner with permanent residence or permanent stay in Montenegro is not treated as a secondary residence.

The market value in the decision may differ from your contract price — the municipality uses its own valuation commission, usually based on the average €/m² for the zone and property type.

IMPORTANT: this guide covers the ANNUAL tax that owners pay every year. If your tax was triggered by PURCHASE, sale, gift, or inheritance — see the separate guide "Real Estate Transfer Tax" (one-off, 3/5/6 %).

Required Documents

  • Property tax decision (from the municipality)
  • Property certificate (LN) from the cadastre
  • Purchase / inheritance / gift agreement
  • Confirmation of previous payments

Competent Institutions

  • Local tax authority (municipality)

    Sets the value, issues decisions, collects tax

  • Cadastre Administration

    Records ownership and market values

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