Montenegro ends visa-free entry for Russians, Turks, Chinese and more from 1 November

Montenegro has ended visa-free entry for citizens of five countries. From Sunday, 1 November 2026, travellers from Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye need a visa to enter the country. The old visa-free arrangements stayed in place until Saturday, 31 October.

The change comes under a new visa decree from the Montenegrin government, made public on 27 October. The government first decided on the five countries back in July. It says the move brings Montenegro’s visa rules in line with European Union policy, as part of its bid to join the EU.

Not everyone from the five countries will need a separate Montenegrin visa. People holding a valid Schengen visa, or a visa or residence permit from the United States, the United Kingdom or Ireland, can still enter for up to 30 days. Most other nationalities, including EU members, can still visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Applications can be made at Montenegrin embassies and through VFS Global centres in countries including Russia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

Russia and Belarus are bringing in matching visa rules for Montenegrin citizens too. Montenegro’s foreign ministry said it was also expecting a similar note from Türkiye. A Russian visa for Montenegrins will cost 35 euros and could take up to three months, according to TV Vijesti.

Why it matters

Montenegro is moving its border rules closer to the EU’s as it works towards membership. Its foreign ministry said meeting the visa requirement was one of the final steps under Chapter 24 of the EU accession talks, covering justice, freedom and security, and opens the way to about 4 million euros from the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The change also matters for tourism, a big part of Montenegro’s economy. Foreign visitors accounted for more than 91 percent of overnight stays in shared accommodation in August, according to the statistics office MONSTAT.

What happens next

The new rules are now in force. Travellers from the five countries should check their entry requirements before booking travel. Montenegro is not part of the EU or the Schengen Area, so a Montenegrin visa does not give access to Schengen countries. The government also plans to offer electronic visa applications in future, although no launch date has been given.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://www.byteseu.com/2476008/ (Bytes Europe, 25 October 2026)
• https://srpske.rs/en/news/svet/2026/10/28/montenegro-visa-rules-serbian-id-card-30-days-passport (Srpske Novine, 28 October 2026)
• https://www.europesays.com/belarus/9606/ (EuropeSays, 28 October 2026)