Independent living

In short

If your child is a non-Montenegrin passport holder, under 18, and will live in Montenegro without a parent in the country, Montenegrin Family Law requires you to designate a legal guardian. The school must hold their Montenegrin residence cards or guardianship paperwork, plus the guardian’s contact details. Apart from international boarding students, KSIM staff cannot act as a legal guardian.

The legal requirement

This section reproduces the Handbook’s wording without changes, because it states a legal obligation under Montenegrin Family Law and a reporting duty that applies to every KSIM employee.

Independent Living — Community Handbook 2026-27, pp.7–8

In accordance with Montenegrin Family Law, international students - non-Montenegrin passport holders - under the age of 18 years who intend to reside in Montenegro without full-time parental presence (parents residing outside the country) must designate a legal guardian.

For students living without a full-time parental presence, the school is mandated to require the parents of these students to provide documentation of their Montenegrin residence cards or guardianship paperwork, along with the contact information of the designated guardian. With the exception of international boarding students, KSIM staff members are unable to fulfil the role of a legal guardian in such circumstances.

Please be aware that all KSI Montenegro employees are obligated by law to promptly report any instances where students lack adequate supervision at home, whether it be through parental oversight or the appointment of a guardian.

What you need to provide

• A designated legal guardian in Montenegro
• Montenegrin residence cards or guardianship paperwork for your child
• Contact information for the designated guardian

Have this in place before your child starts — it is on the first-week checklist.

Related

Guardianship · Safeguarding & child protection