Short answer:
Building a house in Montenegro typically costs between €1,200 and €2,000 per m² all-inclusive, covering construction works, project documentation, and administrative fees. Costs vary depending on construction standards, material quality, location, and site conditions. High-end or custom villas can exceed €3,000 per m².
To give you a realistic reference point, the prices below are indicative examples based on building a 100 m² family house on the outskirts of Podgorica, approximately a 15-minute drive from the city center. This is one of the most common scenarios for families planning a permanent home rather than an investment property.
1. Plot (500 m² × €40/m²) .......... €20,000
- Coast (Budva, Kotor, Luštica): +30–500% depending on the specific location
- Central Montenegro (Podgorica area): baseline
- North: often cheaper, but terrain can add costs
2. Geodetic survey (surveying documentation) .......... €500
3. Conceptual architectural design (concept design) .......... €5,000
4. Main project documentation .......... €8,000
(detailed architectural, structural, electrical, HVAC, water & sewage designs...)
5. Construction works (mid-level standard, €1,500/m² including VAT) .......... €150,000
Construction costs are highly variable and are largely influenced by:
- Choice of materials (for example, a standard façade versus a stone façade, which significantly increases costs),
- Terrain difficulty (sloped plots requiring retaining walls, more extensive excavation and digger work, complex foundations, or access roads),
- Location (remote or coastal locations often involve additional logistics and transportation costs).
6. Municipal utility fees (if applicable) .......... €5,000
- Note: In many rural or less-developed areas, communal fees are not charged at all which can save you a significant amount of money. Your municipality will inform you during the permit application whether your project qualifies for this exemption.
7. Yard landscaping and exterior works .......... €6,000
8. Government and administrative fees .......... €500
(urban-technical conditions, approvals, permits)
Estimated Total: €195,000
For a 100 m² family house on the outskirts of Podgorica, built using mid-level construction materials.
Since the cost of building a house in Montenegro can vary significantly depending on many factors, a much more precise budget can only be defined after completing the architectural design and main project documentation. These projects include detailed cost estimates based on the selected construction systems and materials, providing a realistic and reliable picture of the total investment before construction begins.
For a full overview of the entire process, from land purchase to permits and construction, see the complete step-by-step guide to building a house in Montenegro.