Montenegro Seeks to Preserve Visa-Free Travel for Russians Amid EU Integration

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Montenegro hopes to postpone the introduction of visas for Russian citizens until its accession to the European Union or to avoid this step altogether, Izvestia reports. Authorities in Podgorica acknowledge pressure from the EU but emphasize the critical role of Russians and Russian investment in the country’s economy, where tourism accounts for up to 25% of GDP.

EU Integration and Visa Requirements

Montenegro aims to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. So far, 12 of the 33 negotiation chapters have been closed, and the government intends to significantly accelerate the process over the next two years. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic has confirmed readiness to prioritize compliance with EU visa requirements. It was previously reported that visas for Russians would be introduced in September 2026, but the authorities’ position has since softened. Podgorica hopes to convince Brussels of the country’s economic vulnerability.

Brussels consistently insists on harmonizing the visa policies of EU candidate countries. For Podgorica, the issue is further complicated by financial considerations: access to funds under the EU Growth Plan depends on progress in the negotiations. Montenegro expects to receive around €400 million from the €6 billion package allocated for the Western Balkans. As part of preparations to meet these requirements, the country has already begun adjusting its entry rules — in autumn, visa-free travel was abolished for citizens of Armenia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Uzbekistan.

The Role of Russians in Montenegro’s Economy

Montenegro’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Nikola Camaj, noted that aligning visa policy with EU standards is a mandatory element of the negotiation process, but formally does not require immediate decisions before the completion of EU integration. The tourism economy is directly dependent on Russians — both as visitors and as investors. Currently, Russian citizens can stay in the country without a visa for up to 30 days, and this regime has for many years supported stable demand for holidays in Montenegro.

Tourism generates up to 25% of the country’s GDP and remains a key sector for a state with a population of around 630,000. By the end of 2024, Russians accounted for about 20% of all foreign visitors — roughly 230,000 people. In the first eight months of 2025, more than 123,000 Russian citizens visited Montenegro. Another important factor is permanent presence: around 21,000 Russians live in the country.

The investment component is also significant, with roughly a quarter of companies with foreign capital having Russian ownership. The authorities are preparing for a possible decline in arrivals from Russia by diversifying markets. However, replacement has so far been insufficiently effective, and the loss of a substantial share of visitors could prove painful, especially for coastal regions focused on the mass summer season.

The Position of Neighboring Balkan States

States neighboring Montenegro are so far taking a more restrained stance. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia maintain visa-free travel with Russia despite similar pressure from the European Union. No official announcements have been made regarding a revision of these rules. In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the negotiation process is already progressing slowly: the country received EU candidate status only in 2022, and foreign policy remains a key obstacle. The preservation of visa-free travel and the refusal to impose sanctions on Russia are largely linked to the position of Republika Srpska, which consistently advocates maintaining close ties with Moscow. This makes the prospects for accelerated EU integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming years unlikely.

Serbia also shows no readiness to make visa concessions. Authorities in Belgrade have repeatedly confirmed their intention to retain visa-free travel with Russia, which has already led to a cooling of relations with Brussels. A telling sign was Serbia’s decision not to participate in the December EU summit. President Aleksandar Vucic openly stated his intention to pause the dialogue in order to reduce external pressure.

Tightening Migration Policy

Experts agree that domestic political debates in Montenegro are unlikely to fundamentally alter the country’s course. According to Ekaterina Entina, Director of the Centre for Mediterranean Studies at the Higher School of Economics, EU integration remains an uncontested strategic choice for the entire political establishment, including forces traditionally oriented toward Russia. The timing of any visa introduction will directly depend on the pace of negotiations with the EU: if the process accelerates, Podgorica is unlikely to delay a decision.

Analysts at International Investment note that a potential tightening of the visa regime for Russian citizens fits into a broader reassessment of Montenegro’s migration and investment policy toward foreigners. The most notable changes have already affected residence permits. In particular, financial requirements of €200,000 were introduced for residence permits based on real estate ownership. Conditions for entrepreneurs have also become stricter, including additional criteria related to business activity and financial sustainability. Following criticism from the market and further discussions, the requirements were partially softened, but they remain more stringent than before. Against this backdrop, discussions about the possible introduction of visas for Russians appear to be a logical continuation of the policy of harmonizing rules and reducing previously available preferences, increasing regulatory risks for foreign investors and potential residents in the medium term.