Forbes Names Montenegro Among the Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2026

Could your perfect retirement be on the other side of the Atlantic?

For a growing number of Americans, retirement is becoming an opportunity not simply to stop working, but to rethink where — and how — they want to live. Lower living costs, a warmer climate, safety, access to nature and a slower pace of life are encouraging many to look beyond the United States.

And one small European country is increasingly entering that conversation: Montenegro.

In its “Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2026”, Forbes selected 24 countries around the world that it considers particularly attractive for Americans looking to spend their retirement overseas.

Montenegro made the list.

Forbes specifically recommends Podgorica, Bar, Perast, and Tivat, describing Montenegro as a Mediterranean country with beautiful beaches, spectacular mountains, considerably lower living costs than the United States, and a relatively straightforward route to residence through real estate ownership.

For those of us who live here, the reasons are easy to understand.

Mediterranean Living Without Giving Up the Mountains

One of Montenegro’s greatest advantages is its extraordinary diversity.

Along the coast, towns such as Perast, Kotor, Tivat, Budva and Bar offer a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle: morning coffee beside the sea, waterfront promenades, fresh fish and local produce, sailing, swimming and long periods of pleasant weather.

Travel inland, however, and the landscape changes completely.

Within a few hours you can reach Kolašin, Durmitor, glacial lakes, ancient forests and spectacular river canyons. Winter brings skiing and snowy mountain escapes, while spring and summer invite hiking, rafting and days in nature.

For an active retirement, having the Adriatic Sea and the mountains within such short distances is a rare privilege.

A Different Rhythm of Everyday Life

Retirement abroad is not only about finances. It is about the quality of everyday life.

Montenegro still has something that has become increasingly difficult to find in many larger destinations: a human scale.

Markets sell locally grown fruit and vegetables. Restaurants serve fish caught along the coast and traditional food from nearby farms. Cafés are meeting places rather than quick stops. Small towns remain walkable, and nature is rarely far away.

For many foreigners who settle here, this slower Mediterranean rhythm becomes one of the country’s greatest attractions.

A Cost of Living Forbes Considers Highly Competitive

Affordability was one of the factors considered by Forbes when compiling its international retirement list.

For Montenegro, Forbes estimates that the overall cost of living is less than half the U.S. average.

Naturally, costs vary significantly depending on location and lifestyle — a waterfront home in Tivat or Perast is a very different proposition from an apartment in a smaller town — but everyday expenses, services, and property can still compare favorably with many established retirement destinations in Western Europe and the United States.

This gives retirees the possibility of creating a very comfortable lifestyle while remaining in Europe and on the Mediterranean.

Safety and Stability Matter

For anyone considering moving abroad later in life, feeling safe in the place you call home is essential.

Forbes highlights Montenegro’s low serious-crime rate and stable government among its positive factors.

Montenegro is also a NATO member, uses the euro as its currency, and is progressing toward membership in the European Union (by 2028).

For international homebuyers, these factors add another layer of confidence to the country’s lifestyle appeal.

Can Americans Live in Montenegro?

American citizens can currently visit Montenegro visa-free for up to 90 days, making it easy to spend time here before deciding whether the country is right for them.

For those wishing to stay longer, Montenegro provides several forms of temporary residence.

Importantly for second-home buyers, ownership of real estate can provide a legal basis for applying for temporary residence, subject to the requirements in force at the time of application.

This creates an interesting combination for retirees: the possibility of owning a home on the Mediterranean while establishing a more permanent base in Montenegro.

As immigration regulations can change, buyers considering residence should always obtain current professional legal advice before making a purchase.

From Historic Stone Houses to Modern Waterfront Living

Another advantage is the diversity of Montenegro’s real estate market.

An American buyer considering retirement here might choose:

• An authentic stone house in the Bay of Kotor
• A waterfront apartment in Tivat
• A home overlooking the Adriatic on the Budva Riviera
• A year-round residence in Bar
• A peaceful property surrounded by olive groves
• Or a mountain home in Kolašin for a completely different lifestyle

There is no single version of retirement in Montenegro.

You can live surrounded by centuries of history in Perast, enjoy contemporary marina life in Tivat, choose the practical year-round lifestyle of Bar, or divide your time between the sea and the mountains.

Healthcare Is an Important Part of the Decision

Forbes rates healthcare in Montenegro as adequate and notes that private insurance is important for American retirees. It also points out that some expatriates travel to countries such as Italy or Germany when they require highly specialised treatment.

This is an important consideration that should form part of any serious retirement decision.

Montenegro’s compact geography and proximity to major European medical centres can be an advantage, but prospective residents should carefully consider their individual healthcare and insurance needs before relocating.

Come First. Experience Montenegro for Yourself.

Perhaps the best way to decide whether Montenegro could become your second home is simply to come and experience it.

Spend a few weeks here outside the main summer season. Walk through the streets of Kotor in the morning. Have coffee beside the sea in Perast. Visit the marina in Tivat. Explore Bar and its olive groves. Drive north and see Montenegro’s mountains.

Talk to people who already live here.

And see how the rhythm feels.

Forbes’ inclusion of Montenegro among the Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2026 brings international recognition to something an increasing number of foreigners have already discovered: this small Adriatic country can offer an exceptional combination of lifestyle, nature, affordability and opportunity.

At Astra Real Estate, we work with international clients looking for much more than a property. They are looking for a place where they can spend time, feel comfortable, and create a new chapter of their lives.

If Montenegro is on your retirement shortlist, our team can help you explore different locations, understand the real estate market, and find a home that suits the lifestyle you imagine.

Perhaps your next chapter begins in Montenegro.

Read the full Forbes report here: Forbes – The Best Places To Retire Abroad In 2026