Montenegro’s Visa Debate Already Chasing Away Russian Tourists, Expert Says

Even without officially ending visa-free travel, Montenegro’s ongoing discussion about introducing visas for Russians is scaring off business. Mikhail Abasov, an expert with the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST), told Gazeta.ru that the uncertainty could cut Russian tourist arrivals by 5 to 6 percent. The mere threat of bureaucracy is enough to send travelers packing.

According to RST data, Russian tourist numbers to Montenegro dropped 3 to 4 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year—before any visa rule changed. Abasov said the decline is a direct reaction to the public debate. “Russians, used to flexible travel conditions, quickly shift to more predictable, friendly destinations where flows are measured in millions and there are no administrative hurdles,” he explained.

The real loser here is Montenegro, not Russian tourists, Abasov noted. In 2025, Russians ranked second among foreign visitors by overnight stays, accounting for 16.4 percent of the total. From January through August 2025, more than 123,000 Russians arrived—up 6.3 percent from the same period in 2024. Still, Abasov emphasized that for Russia’s massive outbound market, Montenegro remains a niche spot, handling hundreds of thousands of trips, not millions. Montenegro has floated plans to introduce visas for Russians and Belarusians starting October 1, 2026, though no final decision has been made.