Montenegro to implement new visa requirements for several nations

Starting November 1, 2026, Montenegro will implement a new visa regime for citizens of Turkey, Russia, China, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia. This policy change, approved by the Montenegrin government on July 23, 2026, aims to align the country’s visa policy with European Union standards.

Under the new rules, travelers from these nations will require visas to enter Montenegro, though exceptions exist for those holding valid Schengen, US, UK, or Irish visas, or residence permits from those regions, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days without a Montenegrin visa. The consular fee for a visa is reportedly 35 euros for adults and 17.5 euros for children under 14, plus service fees for processing through agencies like VFS Global.

Tourism industry experts anticipate a potential decline in visitors from affected regions. Specifically, some sector representatives predict a 15% to 25% drop in demand from Turkish tourists, who accounted for over 134,000 visits in the previous year. This shift may lead travelers to seek alternative Balkan destinations such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, or North Macedonia.