Published on
December 24, 2025
Montenegro has reinstated visa-free access for Turkish nationals but reduced the stay period to 30 days, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen migration controls and align its visa policies with European Union standards. This decision follows tensions sparked by a stabbing incident in Podgorica, which led to public protests and a temporary suspension of visa-free travel. The move is part of Montenegro’s efforts to harmonize its immigration policies with the EU, as it works toward meeting the requirements for full EU membership by 2028. The reduction in stay periods also affects citizens from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Azerbaijan, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing border security while complying with EU visa regulations.
Montenegro has reinstated visa-free travel for Turkish citizens, reversing a suspension implemented in late October. The suspension was introduced in response to a stabbing incident in the capital, Podgorica, which caused tensions between the local population and Turkish nationals living in the country. The government’s decision to suspend the visa-free access was part of efforts to calm the unrest sparked by the incident.
Starting December 24, however, Montenegro has made changes to the visa-free policy. Turkish citizens can now stay in the country without a visa, but the duration of their stay has been reduced from 90 days to 30 days. This move is part of Montenegro’s wider efforts to strengthen its migration control systems. In addition to Turkish nationals, citizens of Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia will also see their short-term visa-free stays reduced to 30 days. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani citizens will be allowed to stay in Montenegro for 30 days without a visa until January 15, 2026.
The policy shift comes after the stabbing incident in Podgorica, which, although initially reported as an attack by a group of Turkish nationals, was later confirmed to involve Azerbaijani nationals. The government’s initial response to the incident was to introduce visas for Turkish nationals, a temporary measure intended to defuse tensions. However, this led to disruptions in air travel between Montenegro and Turkey, with major carriers like Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines either reducing or canceling flights to Montenegro last month.
The government’s actions were largely driven by public protests in the aftermath of the incident. Many of the protests focused on Montenegro’s migration policy, and there was a particular outcry against the presence of Turkish nationals in the country. These protests highlighted broader concerns about migration, particularly as it relates to the growing number of Turkish nationals living and working in Montenegro. The government’s response was to impose stricter controls, including the suspension of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens, though it later softened this decision.
The broader implications of this policy change also touch on Montenegro’s economic relations with Turkey. Turkey is the largest foreign direct investor in Montenegro as of January to September 2025. Turkish nationals have played a significant role in Montenegro’s economy, with over 12,500 Turkish-owned companies currently operating in the country. Additionally, Turkey has become an important source of tourism for Montenegro. In 2024, Turkish visitors made up 5% of the total overnight stays in Montenegro, a notable contribution to the small Adriatic country’s tourism industry. As a result, the decision to reduce visa-free access has the potential to impact tourism flows, especially considering that many Turkish nationals have long-standing ties to Montenegro.
In the larger context, Montenegro is working to align its visa policies with European Union standards as part of its ongoing efforts to join the EU by 2028. This effort includes complying with EU regulations regarding visa requirements for countries that are not aligned with the EU’s visa policies. By the third quarter of 2026, Montenegro must fully synchronize its visa regime with EU standards. This will likely include introducing visa requirements for citizens of Russia and seven other countries that currently enjoy visa-free access to Montenegro, even though they are required to have a visa to enter the EU. This shift is set to affect a range of countries with which Montenegro currently maintains relaxed visa rules.
For Montenegro, the challenge of aligning its visa policies with EU regulations is particularly significant due to the vital role tourism plays in the country’s economy. As Montenegro seeks to modernize its migration and visa policies, it risks potentially disrupting the flow of international visitors, particularly from countries that are key sources of tourists. Countries like Russia, which is one of the countries that will soon require a visa to enter Montenegro, are especially important in terms of tourism. In addition, countries like Turkey, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, whose citizens now face restricted access, are crucial to the tourism sector as well.
The government of Montenegro has expressed concerns about how these changes will affect the tourism sector, which relies heavily on international visitors. Imposing entry restrictions on key tourist-source countries may harm the tourism industry, which is an essential driver of economic growth. While aligning visa policies with the EU is necessary for Montenegro’s eventual EU accession, it must also consider the immediate economic consequences of restricting access for citizens of these countries. Tourism is one of Montenegro’s most important industries, and any disruptions to the flow of visitors could have long-term consequences for the country’s economic health.
Montenegro has reinstated visa-free access for Turkish nationals but reduced the stay limit to 30 days as part of efforts to strengthen migration control and align with European Union visa policies. This decision follows tensions sparked by a stabbing incident in Podgorica and is aimed at ensuring compliance with EU standards as Montenegro moves toward membership.
In conclusion, Montenegro’s decision to restore visa-free access for Turkish citizens, but with a reduced stay of 30 days, is part of a broader shift in the country’s visa policies. This policy change reflects Montenegro’s efforts to strengthen migration controls and align its visa rules with European Union standards. However, the adjustments have significant implications for the country’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on international visitors. As Montenegro navigates its path toward EU membership, balancing migration control with the need to support the tourism sector will remain a delicate challenge.
