Aligning its visa policy with that of the European Union is an important step for Montenegro. For the tourism industry, however, what matters just as much is how the new rules will work in practice: how long visitors will have to wait for a visa, where they will be able to apply, and whether additional procedures might prompt them to choose another destination.
A holiday begins long before a guest arrives at a hotel. It begins with choosing a destination, searching for flights and booking accommodation. At that stage, even one additional requirement can influence a traveller's decision. For Montenegro, whose economy relies heavily on tourism, a change in the visa regime therefore carries implications that extend far beyond administrative procedures.
According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited in the material provided, from 1 November 2026, citizens of Russia, Türkiye, Belarus, China and Saudi Arabia will require visas to enter Montenegro. Alignment with European visa policy is linked to meeting the closing benchmarks under negotiating Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security.
– Tourism cannot afford barriers – warns Dragan Purko Ivančević, a member of the Tourism and Hospitality Committee of the Chamber of Economy, speaking to Caffe Montenegro.
His message highlights a straightforward market reality: the quality of hotels, natural beauty and effective promotion have less impact if reaching a destination becomes complicated.
– A visitor who has to go through complicated visa procedures can very easily choose Türkiye, Greece, Croatia or another destination that is more accessible. And once we lose a market, bringing those visitors back is neither quick nor easy – Ivančević stated.
According to him, the introduction of visas should not be viewed solely as a diplomatic or political issue.
– Above all, it is also a serious economic issue, with potential consequences for hotels, travel agencies, private accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, air transport and numerous other companies that depend on tourism – he emphasised.
Ivančević said that additional barriers were particularly concerning because they were being introduced for markets that are already important to Montenegrin tourism or have considerable potential for its further development.
– The Russian market has played an important role in Montenegrin tourism for years, while Türkiye, China and the Gulf countries offer opportunities to attract new visitors, extend the season and develop higher-quality, year-round tourism – Ivančević said.
He argued that it was inconsistent to advocate extending the tourism season, attracting visitors from new markets and increasing revenue while simultaneously introducing obstacles that make their arrival more complicated.
– This is a contradiction we need to examine seriously – he said.
Ivančević explained that he understood Montenegro's obligations towards the European Union, but expected them to be implemented with greater consideration for their consequences for the economy.
– It is not enough to adopt a decision and simply declare that we have fulfilled European requirements. We also need to answer the question of who will bear the costs of that decision if visitor numbers fall, business turnover declines and revenue is lost – he stated.
He expects the Government to provide a clear assessment of the economic consequences, concrete measures to protect the tourism market, and a fast, efficient and accessible visa issuance system.
– If we must introduce a visa regime, then we must do everything possible to ensure that it does not become an obstacle to tourism and investment – Ivančević said.
In his view, Montenegro must not become a country that dutifully fulfils administrative requirements while neglecting the interests of its own economy.