Montenegro set to tighten visa rules for Russians to align with EU policy

Montenegro plans to tighten its visa regime for Russian nationals in order to align with European Union policy, as the country continues working toward its goal of joining the EU by 2028.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said during Euronews’ The Europe Conversation, held after the European Commission’s inaugural Enlargement Forum in Brussels, that his government intends to introduce the necessary measures “very soon.”

The move follows the EU’s recent decision to impose stricter visa regulations on Russian citizens in response to security concerns tied to hybrid drone attacks attributed to Russia. Under the new EU rules, Russians will no longer be eligible for multiple-entry visas and will instead be limited to single-entry permits, requiring a fresh application each time they travel.

Montenegro’s current policy, however, is far more permissive: Russian passport holders may enter the country without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, which has resulted in a steady flow of Russian visitors.

Spajić stressed that gaining the trust of all EU member states is essential for Montenegro’s accession prospects. “We need all the 27 member states to feel, to genuinely believe, that welcoming Montenegro into the EU is in their national interest,” he said. “We have to persuade them of this. There’s no room for complacency.”

He noted that Montenegro must work on deepening ties with every EU country, especially those that maintain a more cautious view of further enlargement. “Some member states are more conservative when it comes to expanding the union, so we need to put significant effort into engaging with them,” he explained.

A key area of focus, Spajić highlighted, is the rule of law—an issue on which Balkan countries have traditionally faced close scrutiny. He said Montenegro has already made progress, pointing to the closure of negotiating chapter 5 on public procurement, part of the comprehensive set of EU standards candidate countries are required to adopt.

“Of course, there is still much to be done. We have to demonstrate that we are delivering strong results in the rule of law sphere,” he added.

More broadly, Spajić said Montenegro must continue fulfilling its technical obligations to be fully prepared for membership. “This is in our own interest and in the interest of the entire union, because when we enter the EU, we want to contribute— not to be a burden.”

By Tamilla Hasanova