Montenegro to require visas for Russians, Turks from 1 Nov

From 1 November 2026, nationals of Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will need a visa to enter Montenegro. The Government adopted the change by decree on 23 July, to align Montenegro's visa regime with the European Union's, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. It fulfils one of the closing benchmarks in Chapter 24 of Montenegro's EU accession talks.

The ministry said the alignment unlocks about €4 million under the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (as of 27 July 2026). Applications can be made through VFS Global visa centres in Russia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, India, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, with more centres planned, including in China, Saudi Arabia and Belarus.

Russia has responded in kind. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Izvestia that Montenegrin citizens will need visas to enter Russia from 1 November, Vijesti reported on 14 October. She said Podgorica had informed Moscow on 28 September that the 2008 travel agreement between the two countries was no longer in force.

The change matters for tourism. Russian visitors accounted for 16.4% of overnight stays in Montenegro in 2025, second only to Serbia, according to official figures cited by Balkan Insight.