EU Visa Rules Pose a Challenge to Montenegro’s Tourism Industry

The European Commission has asked Montenegro to remove two countries from its visa-free regime by the end of February, a move that could impact the country’s tourism sector, which accounts for 26% of its GDP.

Why is the EU Pressuring Montenegro?

As part of Montenegro’s EU accession process, the European Commission has requested that the country revoke visa-free entry for two nations by February 2025. This aligns with EU policies but poses a potential challenge to Montenegro’s tourism-dependent economy.

In response, the Montenegrin government has raised concerns about the economic consequences of imposing visa restrictions on key source countries for tourism and investment.

“In the current global circumstances, access to new markets and easier entry for tourists and investors are crucial for the sustainability of Montenegro’s tourism, which contributes 26% of our GDP. Our clear economic interest is the primary reason why Montenegro has established a visa-free regime with several countries,” the government stated.

Montenegro Seeks Alternative Solutions

According to See News, Montenegro’s compliance with this request is a prerequisite for receiving €6 billion in funding from the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans (2024–2027).

Despite this, the Montenegrin government is calling for alternative solutions to ease the economic transition, as the country moves toward full alignment with EU visa requirements by 2028.

“In partnership with the EU, we will continue to seek the best solutions that will simultaneously meet our national economic interests and our obligations in the EU accession process. The gradual removal of visa-free access for countries whose citizens require visas to enter the EU will be completed by the time Montenegro becomes an EU member state,” the government emphasized.

Who Will Be Affected?

While the European Commission has not disclosed which countries will be removed from Montenegro’s visa-free list, analysts suggest that the changes could impact key tourism and investment markets.

Currently, Montenegro allows visa-free entry for nationals of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, among others:
- Russia – Russian visitors make up a significant share of Montenegro’s tourism industry.
- Azerbaijan – A preferred travel and investment destination for Azerbaijani nationals.
- Türkiye – The third-largest investor in Montenegro, with 32,000 visitors annually and 11,465 Turkish nationals already holding residency permits.

If Montenegro proceeds with the EU’s demands, it could face a decline in tourism revenue and foreign investment, raising concerns about its economic stability.