According to an analysis by the Serbian business portal Parametar, starting November 1, 2026, Montenegro will introduce a visa requirement for citizens of Russia, Belarus, and Turkey, which could significantly impact the country’s tourism, labor market, rental sector, and real estate market.
On September 24, the Montenegrin government confirmed the initiation of the procedure to terminate the existing visa-free travel agreements with these three countries. The decision was made as part of efforts to bring the country’s visa policy into line with European Union regulations. As early as July 23, the government approved changes to the visa regime, which are set to take effect on November 1.
Until October 31, citizens of Russia and Belarus may enter Montenegro without a visa and stay there for up to 30 days. A similar visa-free regime applies to Turkish citizens. Once the new rules take effect, holders of ordinary passports will need a Montenegrin visa. Regarding Turkey, Podgorica plans to conclude a separate agreement, maintaining visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports.
However, there are significant exceptions. Citizens of these countries who hold a valid Schengen, U.S., British, or Irish visa or a corresponding residence permit will, as before, be able to enter Montenegro without a separate Montenegrin visa for up to 30 days.
The new regime also does not require a tourist visa for foreigners who already hold a valid temporary or permanent residence permit in Montenegro or a permit for temporary residence and work.
According to data from the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior cited by Parametar, as of the end of 2025, 20,793 Russian citizens and 13,506 Turkish citizens held temporary or permanent residence permits. Together, these two communities account for approximately 5.5% of the country’s population, which totals about 624,000 people.
The Belarusian community is significantly smaller. According to the latest census, as of late October 2023, 738 Belarusian citizens had permanent residence in Montenegro; more recent data on Belarusians is not currently available.
Tourism could become one of the most vulnerable sectors. In 2025, Russian tourists accounted for 16.4% of all overnight stays by foreign visitors in Montenegro, while tourists from Turkey accounted for another 4.3%. In the private accommodation segment, the Russian market’s share reached 22.1%, while the Turkish market’s share was 4.9%. Thus, these two countries accounted for more than a quarter of all foreign overnight stays in apartments, villas, and other private accommodations.
According to Parametar’s assessment, the most noticeable impact may not be among Russians and Turks who already legally reside in Montenegro, but rather among new tourists, real estate buyers, renters, and those considering the country as a place to relocate. This is particularly important for Budva, Bar, Tivat, Kotor, and Herceg Novi, where foreign demand plays a significant role in the rental, real estate, hospitality, and service markets.
The changes may also affect the labor market. In 2025, 10,346 temporary residence and work permits were issued to Turkish citizens, and 7,429 to Russian citizens. Turkey has become the largest source of foreign labor in Montenegro. The introduction of an additional visa procedure for new workers could potentially delay their recruitment in the construction, hospitality, and other sectors.
The visa reform is linked to Montenegro’s EU accession process. The country’s government notes that full alignment of visa policy is one of the conditions for closing Negotiation Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom, and Security.” Fulfilling this condition also paved the way for receiving approximately 4 million euros under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
As part of a broader reform of Montenegro’s visa regime, visa requirements will also apply to citizens of China and Saudi Arabia starting November 1, since Podgorica’s previous policy toward these countries was also not in line with EU regulations. However, the government’s September 24 decision to suspend international agreements directly concerns Russia, Belarus, and Turkey.
