Gradual alignment of visa policy to safeguard the country’s economic interests

Regarding Montenegro’s alignment of its visa policy with the European Union, we provide the following statement to inform the public:

In the current global context, access to new markets and facilitating the arrival of tourists and investors are crucial for the sustainability of Montenegrin tourism, which accounts for 26% of the country’s GDP. Clear economic interests are the primary reason why Montenegro has established a visa-free regime with certain countries.

Specifically:

• Russia: With 230,000 Russian visitors annually, Russia continues to have a significant impact on Montenegro’s economy. Additionally, Russian nationals represent the largest group of foreign residents in Montenegro, with 18,427 individuals holding regulated residency.
• Azerbaijan: Montenegro has received a €1 billion investment in the Portonovi resort, with approximately 15,000 Azerbaijani tourists visiting annually.
• Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain: Investments from these countries in real estate and tourism are growing, and there is significant potential for further diversification of the tourist market, facilitated by aviation connections and increased visitor arrivals.
• Türkiye: The third-largest investor in Montenegro, with €91.2 million in investments in 2024, and 320,000 Turkish visitors per year. Additionally, 11,465 Turkish nationals hold regulated residency in Montenegro.
• China: China is engaged in strategic infrastructure projects, including the construction of the highway, reconstruction of the boulevard between Tivat Airport and Jaz, and the Thermal Power Plant Pljevlja. In 2024, 58,000 Chinese tourists visited Montenegro.
• Belarus: A key destination for kidney transplants for Montenegrin citizens, with 50 individuals currently on the waiting list. The Health Insurance Fund covers the cost of these procedures, amounting to €70,000 per patient.

For Montenegro, it is essential to establish mechanisms and alternative solutions to facilitate a smooth transition and mitigate potential negative impacts on the economy.

To fulfill obligations under the Reform Agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior are actively working on harmonizing Montenegro’s visa policy with the EU and adapting to Schengen rules through several initiatives:

• Legislative amendments, specifically changes to the Law on Foreigners.
• Engagement of an external partner, a reputable company responsible for collecting visa application documents in countries where Montenegro lacks consular representation, due to the limited capacity of the diplomatic-consular network. This approach will ensure that the revocation of visa liberalization for certain countries does not adversely affect the Montenegrin economy.
• Reform of the Visa Information System, with €1 million in funding secured under the IPA III regional project for strengthening border management capacities, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration. This reform will enhance visa issuance efficiency, introduce e-visa services and online applications, and provide the necessary technical framework for compliance with EU visa standards.

Montenegro reaffirmed its commitment to the European path and EU values by fully aligning with EU policy on Russia, imposing sanctions in 2022. This decision placed Montenegro’s tourism industry in a challenging position, considering the significant share of Russian tourists in the overall number of visitors. Additionally, as a predominantly air travel destination, Montenegro faces constraints due to underdeveloped road infrastructure, which limits the arrival of a larger number of visitors from the European Union.

In cooperation with the EU, we will continue seeking the best solutions that balance our national economic interests with our obligations in the EU accession process, as outlined in the Reform Agenda (2024-2027). This includes the gradual phasing out of the visa-free regime for countries requiring visas to enter the EU, ensuring full alignment by the time of Montenegro’s accession to EU membership.