Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Foundation for the Future of Montenegrin Tourism believes that the Ministry of the Interior should provide a clear, precise, and publicly available interpretation of the disputed provisions of the Law on Foreigners as soon as possible, particularly with regard to permitted absences and the possibility of prior notification of longer stays outside the country.

President of the Foundation Michael Bader said that he supports the efforts to regulate this area with control and transparency, but believes it is necessary to avoid excessive regulation that fails to recognize real-life situations and creates additional legal and administrative uncertainty. 

“Clear rules, uniform practice, and open communication by institutions are key to preserving trust, both among citizens of Montenegro and foreign nationals who have chosen Montenegro as a place to live, work, and make long-term investments,” said Bader, who is also President of the Tourism Committee of the German–Montenegrin Business Club.

He noted that amendments to the Law on Foreigners, in the part relating to permitted absences of foreigners from Montenegro, have resulted in a number of legal and practical ambiguities that require clear and uniform interpretation by the competent institutions.

“Different interpretations of the same provisions, especially regarding the rule of absence of up to 30 days and exemptions based on humanitarian grounds, place foreign nationals in a state of legal uncertainty and make it difficult to plan family and business obligations,” Bader said.