How do you find a job in Montenegro? Most jobs are advertised with the Employment Agency, which recorded 16,352 vacancies from January to August 2026, and on private portals such as Zaposli.me, which listed 360 active ads on 25 September 2026. The average net wage was 1,037 euros in July 2026. Foreigners need a residence and work permit, and the 2026 quota allows 28,988 of them.
Montenegro's labour market is small and seasonal: hotels, restaurants and shops on the coast hire most in spring and summer. The figures below come from the Employment Agency, the statistics office Monstat, the Government and two job portals, checked on 25 September 2026.
Where are jobs advertised?
| Where | What you find | Size on 25 September 2026 |
| Employment Agency (Zavod za zapošljavanje) | Public and private vacancies, seasonal jobs, training programmes | 16,352 vacancies reported from 1 January to 31 August 2026 |
| Zaposli.me | Private employers across the country | 360 active ads |
| Prekoveze.me | Private employers, sorted by town and sector | 220 ads |
| Berza rada (berzarada.me) | Private employers | Listing without a published total |
On Prekoveze.me, 113 of the 220 ads were in Podgorica, 48 in Kotor, 46 in Tivat, 37 in Herceg Novi and 34 in Budva. The largest categories were trade with 74 ads, administration with 66, hospitality with 40 and tourism with 39. Many employers also post on social networks, and the Employment Agency now shares its current ads there too.
How many people are looking for work?
| Indicator | Figure |
| Registered unemployed, 31 August 2026 | 23,408 |
| Registered unemployment rate, July 2026 | 7.45% |
| Vacancies reported, January to August 2026 | 16,352 |
| Average net wage, July 2026 | 1,037 euros |
| Average gross wage, July 2026 | 1,238 euros |
The net wage was 2.3% higher than a year earlier, but prices rose 0.8% in July alone, so real wages fell 0.7% from June. The statutory minimum wage and how it is set are explained in our guide to the minimum wage in Montenegro. What a registered unemployed person is paid, and for how long, is explained in our guide to unemployment benefit.
How does seasonal work on the coast work?
The season runs roughly from May to October, and most jobs are in hotels, restaurants, beach bars, shops and transport. The Employment Agency has a separate section for seasonal jobs. Before you accept, ask the employer in writing about the contract, the hours, and whether accommodation and meals are included.
For foreigners, the Government sets an annual quota of work permits. For 2026 it set 28,988 permits: 21,668 for employment, 2,320 for seasonal work and 5,000 held in reserve. The largest shares went to accommodation and food service with 6,150 permits and construction with 6,000.
What does a foreigner need before starting work?
A foreigner who is not a citizen of Montenegro needs a temporary residence and work permit before starting a job. The employer normally applies, within the quota, and the permit is tied to that employer. The documents, the steps and the employer's obligations are handled by lawyers such as RoNa Legal's work permit service.
If you work in a trade, such as plumbing, electrics or cleaning, you can also find clients yourself by signing up as a professional on Glatko.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find job ads in Montenegro? With the Employment Agency and on portals such as Zaposli.me, Prekoveze.me and Berza rada; many employers also post on social networks.
What is the average salary in Montenegro? The average net wage was 1,037 euros in July 2026, and the gross wage 1,238 euros.
How many people are unemployed in Montenegro? 23,408 people were registered as unemployed on 31 August 2026, and the registered rate was 7.45% in July.
Which towns have the most job ads? Podgorica, followed by the coastal towns of Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi and Budva.
Can foreigners work in Montenegro? Yes, with a temporary residence and work permit, which the employer usually applies for within the annual quota.
How many work permits for foreigners are there in 2026? 28,988 in total, of which 21,668 for employment and 2,320 for seasonal work.
Sources
Unemployment and vacancies come from the Employment Agency of Montenegro, and wages from Monstat's July 2026 release. Ad counts were read on Zaposli.me and Prekoveze.me on 25 September 2026. The 2026 quota is from the Government decision reported by Portal Analitika. Checked on 25 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; job ads change daily, so check each ad with the employer.