Montenegro to Introduce Visas for Russians Ahead of EU Accession

Montenegro will introduce visas for Russian citizens by the end of September as part of its obligations on the path toward EU membership.

According to Montenegro’s diplomatic mission, the country must fully align its visa policy with EU rules by the end of the third quarter of 2026, including the introduction of visas for Russian nationals.

Until the end of September, Russian citizens continue to enjoy visa-free entry and may stay in Montenegro for up to 30 days.

Visa service provider VFS Global has announced it will begin accepting applications for Montenegrin visas through centers in eight Russian cities: Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Novorossiysk, Voronezh and Yekaterinburg.

The move is intended to facilitate visa applications before the new rules enter into force.

Aligning with EU membership requirements

Montenegro became an official candidate for EU membership in 2010 and has been gradually harmonizing its legislation with the bloc’s standards.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has previously said that although Montenegro is not yet an EU member, it is already aligning its visa policy with the EU’s.

The country is widely viewed as one of the frontrunners among Western Balkan states seeking EU membership.

Russia has long been one of Montenegro’s largest tourism markets, largely due to the visa-free regime between the two countries.

According to Kommersant, about 230,000 Russian citizens visited Montenegro over the past year.

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Meanwhile, Politico, citing European Commission estimates, reported that Montenegro’s accession to the EU is expected to cost the bloc around €3 billion ($3.4 billion) between 2028 and 2034.