Montenegro’s new visa requirements for visitors from Russia, Türkiye, China, Belarus and Saudi Arabia took effect on 1 November, requiring covered travellers to obtain a visa before entering the country. Tourism industry representatives warned on 8 November that the rules could reduce arrivals and affect accommodation businesses, particularly those serving visitors from Russia and Türkiye.
The government adopted the regulation in July as part of Montenegro’s alignment with EU visa policy. The change is therefore also part of the country’s broader EU accession commitments, rather than a temporary tourism measure. Five countries are covered, subject to specified exemptions.
The regulation sets a consular application fee of 35 euros; external application centres may charge additional service fees. Ordinary visa decisions are expected within 10 days, while more complex applications may take longer. Travellers with qualifying visas or residence permits issued by specified countries, including countries in the Schengen area, may still qualify for permitted short-stay exemptions.
Potential effects on tourism businesses
Petar Golubović, director of the Centre for Tourism Research and Development, said visitors from Russia and Türkiye accounted for approximately 21% of tourism activity in 2025. He said the industry’s greatest concern was how the new requirements could affect those markets.
Golubović warned that the administrative process could reduce arrivals, particularly among independent travellers booking private apartments and short-term accommodation. He outlined hypothetical demand-reduction scenarios ranging from approximately 20% to 60%, drawing on experience with restrictions affecting other markets. The scenarios are not measured declines in tourist arrivals or an official forecast.
The economic consequences would depend on travellers’ eligibility for exemptions and on how airlines, hotels and travel agencies adapt their services. Private accommodation may be especially exposed because individual visitors often book directly and are more sensitive to additional administrative steps. Larger hotels and organised tour operators may have more capacity to help customers plan visits and manage documentation.
Alternative markets and business travel
The Podgorica Tourism Organisation has identified Spain, Poland and Scandinavian countries as potential alternative markets for additional promotion. Whether extra demand from Western and Northern Europe can offset possible reductions elsewhere will also depend on air connectivity, pricing, distribution arrangements and visitor preferences.
The rules also affect businesses employing foreign workers and companies whose management or commercial partners travel frequently between Montenegro and the five countries. The immediate commercial priority is to monitor visa issuance, flight schedules, accommodation bookings and arrivals by country of origin.
The scale of any tourism losses cannot yet be established. The industry’s ability to adapt will depend on administrative efficiency, the application of exemptions and the development of alternative visitor markets.
