The vision of retirement as a seaside escape with sandy toes and ocean breezes sounds idyllic.
But let’s face it, waiting until our mid-60s to live that coastal dream makes less sense with each passing year.
Why delay the lifestyle you want when you could build a location-independent business now that lets you live anywhere while maintaining both purpose and income?
Montenegro, a small Adriatic nation tucked between Croatia and Albania, presents exactly this opportunity. Travel + Leisure recently highlighted it as one of “six up-and-coming retirement regions to watch in 2025,” but this overlooked European gem offers far more than just a retirement destination.
It’s an ideal base for location-independent business owners seeking affordability, connectivity, and quality of life. Let’s take a closer look.
Montenegro Goes Beyond Beautiful Beaches
“If you’re dreaming of retiring somewhere that’s as affordable as it is beautiful, Montenegro might just be your perfect match,” explains International Living in its recent report. What isn’t emphasized enough is how these same qualities create the perfect environment for digital entrepreneurs.
The financial advantages are substantial.
With seaside apartment rentals starting at around $450 monthly and studios available for purchase at approximately $100,000 in areas like Tivat, your operating costs remain minimal. The strategic location near Tivat Airport connects you to major European hubs like London, Paris, and Munich, making both business and leisure travel straightforward.
The math becomes even more compelling when you consider that a comprehensive budget — covering all living expenses — runs under $2,000 monthly. Groceries cost about 40% less than in Italy or France, creating a significant margin for business reinvestment or quality of life.
Having worked remotely across dozens of countries since 2006, I’ve found that affordability alone isn’t enough. You need reliable infrastructure, natural beauty for inspiration, and enough amenities to avoid feeling isolated.
Montenegro delivers on all counts.
For business owners seeking luxury amenities alongside affordability, higher-end properties rival Monaco’s offerings, complete with stunning views and world-class facilities. The improving road networks and increasing flight options make Montenegro viable year-round, not just during tourist season.
Building a Location-Independent Life Requires Balance
The reality of running a location-independent business is that you need more than just internet access and a laptop. You need an environment that supports physical and mental wellbeing alongside your professional goals.
This is where Montenegro excels.
Beyond its famous coastline, the country offers exceptional outdoor activities year-round. Winter brings skiing opportunities in Kolašin and Žabljak, while national parks like Lovćen, Durmitor, and Prokletije provide endless hiking trails. The coastal areas offer perfect conditions for snorkeling, diving, and paddleboarding — all accessible within minutes of potential home offices.
This balance between work and rejuvenation creates the mental space needed for creative business development and strategic thinking. This is something increasingly difficult to achieve in high-pressure environments like the United States.
The practical aspects of establishing yourself in Montenegro are straightforward.
Americans can stay visa-free for 90 days within 180 days, and since Montenegro is not in the European Schengen region, it can be a place to reset the clock if you’re hopping around Europe as a perpetual tourist. For longer stays, purchasing real estate “worth any value” grants temporary residency rights, according to Travel + Leisure‘s Stacey Leasca.
The process requires a clean criminal record, birth certificate, and proof of health insurance. After five years, permanent residency becomes available.
Getting Ahead of the Curve
The story we’ve been told throughout our lives told us to work for decades in jobs and places we don’t love, save diligently, and then finally escape to paradise after our productive years are behind us.
The alternative — building a business that thrives regardless of location while enjoying international living during your peak years — represents a profound shift in how we approach both work and lifestyle.
The truth is that the traditional retirement model is increasingly obsolete for Generation X. Why wait to live where you want when you could build a business that lets you do it now?
Montenegro, with its combination of affordability, natural beauty, and improving infrastructure, represents not just a retirement destination, but a strategic location from which to reimagine what work and life can look like in your 50s and beyond.
