The private limited liability company or DOO (Društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću) is the most employed business form by local investors who have companies in Montenegro.
Our company formation specialists in Montenegro can assist with the registration of a DOO.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Best used for |
Business structures regulated by local investors |
|
Minimum capital to open a D.O.O in Montenegro |
Minimum 1 Euro |
|
Minimum number of shareholders |
Minimum number of shareholders is 1 |
| Shareholder liability |
Equal to the amount of initial capital he/she contributed |
| Residency requirements for foreign investors | No |
| Full foreign ownership permitted (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| Company name requirement |
To open a D.O.O in Montenegro, choose a unique name for your business that is not already in use |
| Registered office requirement |
The registered address must be the primary location of the company; If a company operates out of more than one location, the management office must be established at the registered address. |
| Main registration documents to open a D.O.O in Montenegro | articles of association; a list of the founders and board members with complete information; the proof of payment of the registration cost; the company name ,address for correspondence, and headquarters |
|
Registration requirements to open a D.O.O in Montenegro |
Mandatory registration with Central Registry of Business Entities (CBRE) in Montenegro |
| Licenses and permits | Yes, to be applied for after registration |
| Annual filing | Yes |
| Corporate income tax | 9% |
| Other taxes for companies | Social security contributions, environmental charges, stamp tax, payroll tax, property transfer tax, etc. |
| Tax incentives | For the first eight years, certain businesses operating in underdeveloped regions in Montenegro are exempt from corporate profit taxes. There is a €200,000 cap on the exemption. |
| Advantages |
– multiple uses, – simple registration requirements, – quick incorporation time frame, – low share capital requirements (1 euro). |
|
Audited financial statements required (YES/NO) |
No. |
|
Resident director required (YES/NO) |
No, the private limited liability companies do not need resident directors. |
| Available for registration for natural persons | Yes, the shareholders can be natural persons. |
| Available for registration for corporate shareholders |
A Montenegrin DOO can also have corporate shareholders. |
| Corporate directors availability (YES/NO) |
No, corporate directors are not allowed for this business form. |
| Possibility to be converted into a public company |
Yes, however, specific rules must be respected, such as appointing a larger number of directors and increasing the share capital. |
| Registration time frame (approx.) |
Approx. one month. |
| VAT registration required upon creation |
No, VAT registration can be completed ulterior to company registration. |
| Possibility to be used as a shelf company | Yes, most shelf companies are set up as DOOs in Montenegro. |
| Possibility to hire personnel/transfer employees from abroad |
Yes, both options are available. |
| Incorporation support (YES/NO) |
Yes, we offer assistance in opening a private limited liability company. |
| Bank account opening services (YES/NO) |
Yes. |
| Availability of accounting services for a Montenegrin DOO |
Yes, we also offer such services for this type of company. |
| Availability of other services |
– payroll&HR, – document amendment solutions, – nominee services. |
Table of Contents
What are the requirements to open a DOO in Montenegro in 2026?
The establishment of a private limited liability company in Montenegro is subject to several requirements. Among these, we mention the following:
- the company must have a registered address in Montenegro (virtual office services are available with our agents);
- at least one shareholder who can be a natural person or legal entity, a Montenegro resident or non-resident is required;
- at least one manager who is not required to be a Montenegro resident must be appointed;
- the company will be registered based on the Articles of Association which must be filed with the Trade Register;
- as any local company, a bank account must be opened with a local bank before registering for taxes with the Tax Authority (the share capital will be deposited here).
What documents are required to open a DOO in Montenegro in 2026?
Registering with the Central Register of the Commercial Court of Montenegro requires a few documents:
- the articles of association;
- the company structure;
- a list of the founders and the board Members;
- data regarding these members (names, date of birth, place of birth, place of residence);
- the company name and address of correspondence and headquarter;
- name of the executive manager;
- the names of the persons responsible with the company representative;
- the proof of payment of the registration fee.
After submitting the correct documents, a Certificate of Registration is issued as evidence. Also, the registration announcement is published in the Official Gazette.
You can read about the creation of a DOO in Montenegro in the infographic below:
What are the main characteristics of the private limited liability company in Montenegro?
Here are the key features of the DOO:
- it must have at least one shareholder;
- it must also appoint at least one director;
- it must have a legal address in Montenegro;
- the minimum capital is 1 euro.
What are the most important shareholding requirements for the DOO in Montenegro?
Here are the main conditions:
- it is possible for the shareholder to be a Montenegrin national or foreign citizen;
- companies can also be shareholders in a Montenegrin DOO;
- the maximum number of shareholders allowed in this business type is 30.
Must the Montenegro private company appoint a resident manager?
No, the director can be a foreign citizen.
IMPORTANT! Corporate directors are not allowed to incorporate a private limited liability company in Montenegro.
What are the steps to open a DOO in Montenegro?
The steps are:
- trading name reservation: several name proposals are accepted by the Commercial Register to ensure successful reservation;
- document preparation and submission to the Commercial Register: the Articles of Association and information about the shareholder and manager are the minimum set of papers required;
- bank account opening: the company must also have a local bank account;
- tax registration: the company must obtain a tax identification code from the Montenegrin Tax Department
- social security registration: the procedure must be completed for employment purposes;
- licensing: a business permit may be required for certain activities.
How long does it take to incorporate a private company in Montenegro in 2026?
The company can be registered in around a week, provided all documents are correctly submitted.
How long does it take to open a bank account for a Montenegro DOO?
The procedure can be completed in several days, a maximum of a week, which is significantly faster than in other countries.
Are there any specific requirements applicable to foreign investors who want to register a DOO in Montenegro?
The documents issued in their home country must first be translated and authenticated before being filed with the Companies Register in Montenegro.
You can also watch our video:
What are the uses of a DOO?
One of the reasons for setting up a D.O.O. in Montenegro is that it can be used for various purposes, such as:
- trading activities – the D.O.O. can complete activities in any industry in Montenegro;
- holding structure – the D.O.O. can be used as a holding company for holding or controlling shares in other companies;
- subsidiary company – the D.O.O. can be used by foreign companies seeking to have a presence in Montenegro;
- shelf company – most ready-made companies are registered as private limited liability companies.
Can I register a company in Montenegro remotely if I am a foreigner?
Yes, you can do that through our local agents, who will need a power of attorney to represent you.
What are the registration fees for a DOO in Montenegro?
Here are the costs for this business form for 2026:
- the registration fee with the Commercial Register is 10 euros;
- the publication fee is 12 euros;
- the company seal ranges from 20 to 50 euros.
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