Montenegro will require visas from citizens of Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey starting November 1, 2026, ending visa-free entry from these countries, according to an announcement by the Government of Montenegro made on its official website.
This new visa policy aligns Montenegro’s regulations with European Union norms as part of the country’s preparations for EU accession, projected in 2028. The government adopted the visa resolution on July 23, 2026, fulfilling key criteria under Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom, and Security,” required for candidate states nearing EU membership.
Visa applications can be submitted through Montenegro’s diplomatic and consular missions as
well as VFS Global visa centers worldwide. The Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to keep the visa application process simple and accessible to mitigate potential negative consequences for travelers affected by the policy.
The move responds to broader geopolitical tensions following Russia’s 2022 aggression against Ukraine, which prompted the EU to suspend its simplified visa regime with Russia. Nonetheless, EU countries including France, Italy, and Spain issued more than 620,000 tourist visas to Russian citizens in 2025, a 10.2% increase over the prior year.
Montenegro’s visa policy update aims to strengthen national security in light of concerns over sabotage
by Russian agents in Europe. It also targets digitization of public administration and improving the country’s competitiveness as a tourist and investment destination.
