Montenegro to End Visa-Free Entry for Russian and Belarusian Citizens from November 2026

Montenegro to Introduce Visa Requirements for Russians and Belarusians by Late 2026

Montenegro has announced a planned change to its visa policy that will affect citizens of Russia and Belarus. According to a draft government decree published on July 24, 2026, visa-free entry for these two countries will end on October 31, 2026. After this date, Russian and Belarusian nationals will no longer be included among those allowed to stay in Montenegro visa-free for up to 30 days.

The draft explicitly states that "Citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation may enter, transit, and stay in Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 days until October 31, 2026, under existing international agreements." However, the document does not specify the conditions or visa requirements that will apply starting November 1, 2026. The changes are subject to final approval by the Montenegrin government.

"The upcoming visa policy changes mark a significant step in Montenegro's efforts to align its regulations with European Union standards ahead of accession."

This move corresponds with Montenegro's progress towards European Union membership. To comply with EU visa policies, Montenegro must impose visa requirements on countries considered security risks or those for which the EU demands visas. This will also lead to phased visa restrictions for citizens from Turkey, China, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and other nations.

Since early July 2026, Montenegro has established visa centers in eight Russian cities, including Moscow, Pskov, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh, Novorossiysk, Petrozavodsk, and Murmansk. Currently, these centers serve only third-country nationals until the new visa rules are confirmed.

Impact on Travel and Residency

In 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, over 112,000 Russians applied for short-term residence permits in Montenegro. During the same period, just over 50,000 Ukrainians submitted similar applications, illustrating substantial migration interest from both countries. Subsequently, many Russians have reportedly left Montenegro due to restrictive local residency and business regulations, with some relocating to Serbia.

Although official 2026 figures on the Russian population in Montenegro remain unavailable, media estimates suggest that between 21,000 and 26,000 Russians live there, representing roughly 3% of Montenegro's population.

The anticipated visa policy adjustments signal a significant shift for Russian and Belarusian travelers and residents. Financially, these changes could impact tourism revenue, property investment, and business activities linked to these communities. Montenegro's government and investors will need to monitor these developments closely to assess the implications for economic growth and bilateral relations.