Montenegro has decided to restore visa-free travel for Turkish citizens after temporarily suspending the arrangement in late October, according to media reports citing officials from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.
Turkish media reported on Tuesday that the visa-free regime is expected to resume later this week. However, Montenegro may shorten the maximum length of visa-free stays from 90 days to 30 days within a 180-day period, according to separate reporting citing Montenegrin media.
The suspension had followed reports of a knife attack in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica in October in which Turkish nationals were initially alleged to have been involved. The incident fueled public unrest and protests targeting the Turkish community in the country.
Following the incident Montenegrin authorities announced a temporary halt to visa-free entry for Turkish passport holders, sparking criticism in Turkey.
A Montenegro court later ruled that two Turkish citizens detained in connection with the incident had no link to the attack and were released.
Montenegro has not yet published the full text of the decision or detailed implementation guidelines on its official website.
Montenegro, which allowed Turkish citizens to stay visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, was among the most popular tourism destinations for Turkish travelers.
Under the 2008 visa exemption agreement between Turkey and Montenegro, citizens of both countries holding diplomatic, special, service or ordinary passports were allowed to enter the other’s territory without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period or for transit purposes.
The agreement, signed in Ankara on January 18, 2008, entered into force on May 19, 2008.