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Montenegro Moves to End Visa-Free Entry for Russians and Belarusians in Shift Toward EU
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Montenegro has published draft amendments to its visa rules that would require Russian and Belarusian citizens to obtain a visa to enter the country after October 31, 2026, according to Radio Svoboda on July 24.
The draft, flagged by the organization Kovcheg, preserves visa-free entry only until that date. Until October 31, Russians and Belarusians may enter Montenegro, transit through it, and stay for up to 30 days on a valid travel document.
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From November, they will need a visa. Radio Svoboda noted the changes have not yet been formally adopted.
The measure aligns Podgorica's visa regime with European Union requirements. Montenegro's embassy in Moscow has stated the country must bring its visa policy fully into line with EU rules by the end of the third quarter of 2026.
Radio Svoboda reported that the visa operator VFS Global opened Montenegrin visa centers in Russia in early summer.
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Montenegro has held EU candidate status since 2010 and is considered one of the bloc's likeliest next members. On April 22, EU ambassadors approved the start of work on the country's accession treaty.
Earlier, in June, France tightened visa rules for Russian citizens, with its visa center in Russia set to stop accepting Schengen applications from intermediaries outside a traveler's immediate family from July 15.
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