Russia to Require Visas for Montenegrin Citizens in Response to Visa-Free Pact End

Russia announced that, from 1 November, Montenegrin passport holders will need visas to travel to Russia, mirroring Montenegro’s plan to terminate a 2008 visa-free travel arrangement. The Russian Foreign Ministry cited a notification from Montenegro’s foreign ministry on 28 September as the trigger for the reciprocal measure. Montenegro’s July decree also ends visa-free entry for citizens of Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to meet EU accession criteria slated for 2028.

Moscow’s spokeswoman warned the decision would curtail Russian tourism, harm local businesses and weaken the investment climate, noting that two-thirds of registered Russian residents have already departed. Relations have soured since Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and adopted EU sanctions after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leading to bans on Russian state media and the expulsion of diplomats. The visa shift underscores the broader geopolitical tension as Balkan states move toward EU integration.