Montenegro scraps visa-free entry for four countries

Montenegro’s Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the visa regime to align with European Union policy. Visa-free entry has been suspended for citizens of Armenia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Kuwait. In the next stages, Montenegro is expected to revise border-crossing rules for other states, including Russia.

Montenegro has begun implementing the 2024–2027 Reform Agenda as part of its bid to join the EU. One of the conditions is to phase out visa-free arrangements with countries whose citizens require visas to travel to the European Union. Priority measures target states associated with higher risks of illegal migration or security threats. The initial list included Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. However, instead of tightening and shortening the list, Montenegrin authorities allowed visa-free travel for residents of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.



The European Commission warned that without meeting the conditions, the republic may not receive €383.5 million from the Reform and Growth Facility. Montenegrin authorities noted that introducing visas for key tourist markets could negatively affect the economy. Tourism accounts for about 26% of GDP, and any restrictions could reduce visitor flows and sector revenues. According to MONSTAT, 246.6k tourists from Russia visited Montenegro in 2023, spending 3.7 million nights—23.6% of the total. At the same time, in 2025 Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said dependence on the Russian market had fallen from 30% in previous years to 7–8%.

A government statement published in February 2025 said Russia continues to have a significant impact on the economy. Around 230k tourists arrive from Russia each year. In addition, Russian citizens form the largest group of foreign residents in Montenegro: 18,427 hold residence permits. The statement also highlighted close cooperation with Azerbaijan, which invested €1 billion in developing the Portonovi resort, and with Turkey: financial investments totaled €91.2 million in 2024, and tourist arrivals reached 320k.



Apparently, the contradictions have been ironed out. At least, during a recent visit to Tivat, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the country’s new status is “truly within reach.” She called on the government to accelerate reforms in the rule of law and public-procurement transparency to demonstrate its seriousness on the EU path.

Von der Leyen stressed that Montenegro has closed four negotiating chapters since her last visit and could complete the remaining ones as early as next year, becoming an EU member in 2028. She praised progress on the Western Balkans Growth Plan and announced an additional €8 million in support. The total available funding could exceed €380 million if reforms continue. She also welcomed Montenegro’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and said roaming between the EU and Montenegro will be abolished in 2026.

“Every time I come here, I feel Europe’s heart beating in Montenegro,” von der Leyen said, adding that the EU will support the country “every step of the way.” She emphasized the importance of promptly appointing Constitutional Court judges, which, in her words, will “strengthen democracy.” Prime Minister Milojko Spajić replied that the EU remains Montenegro’s largest and most important strategic partner. According to him, the country is “geographically small but great in potential” and already “belongs to the European Union in its thinking.”

The first steps toward a stricter visa regime signal Montenegro’s readiness to meet the Commission’s requirements. It is not yet clear which countries will lose visa-free access in the next phase, but judging by the government’s actions, the republic intends to meet its goals and maintain the pace of EU integration. In this context, the planned overhaul of residence-permit rules outlined in a new draft law looks logical: it should complement visa reforms and strengthen control over migration flows. At the same time, some popular options among foreigners—such as zero-activity companies—will no longer be available.