Before becoming a full member of the European Union (EU), Montenegro must fully align its visa policy with that of the EU, which includes introducing visa requirements for citizens of countries that currently have visa-free access to Montenegro but need a visa to enter the EU. This adjustment is a key step in Montenegro’s EU accession process.
Ana Pisonero, spokesperson for the European Commission (EC), emphasized that the country must make further progress in aligning its visa policy with the EU’s list of countries that require visas. This is especially critical for nations that pose a security or irregular migration risk to the EU.
“Montenegro is expected to continue aligning its visa policy as part of the EU accession process, particularly with respect to countries that pose a risk to EU security or migration control,” Pisonero stated in a written response to Radio Free Europe (RFE).
Currently, countries like Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Ecuador, and Turkey enjoy visa-free access to Montenegro but are required to obtain visas for EU countries. Montenegro must implement a visa regime for these nations before joining the EU.
Visa Alignment as Part of EU Accession Process
Each EU candidate country is required to align its foreign policy, including its visa policy, with EU standards before membership. For Montenegro, this issue is specifically addressed under Chapter 24 of the EU accession talks, which covers visa policy, border management, and related matters. These chapters are critical in Montenegro’s negotiations and are among the first to open and the last to close in the accession process.
Despite progress, Montenegro’s visa policy remains out of sync with that of the EU. According to the EC’s annual progress report, the country has made limited advancements in aligning its visa policy. The only notable achievement in 2024 was the government’s decision to suspend seasonal visa requirements, including those for citizens of Uzbekistan.
Russia and Other Countries Remain Exempt
As noted in the EC’s report, Montenegro still maintains visa-free access for 11 countries that the EU mandates visas for, including seven countries that are permanently exempted. These discrepancies highlight the gap in Montenegro’s visa policy, which it must address before becoming an EU member.
Montenegro is considered a leader in the EU accession process in the Western Balkans, having successfully unblocked its membership negotiations after a prolonged pause in June 2023. Now, as the country pushes forward in its EU integration efforts, it remains the most likely candidate for EU membership in the region, especially given that Serbia continues to refuse to implement EU sanctions against Russia.
EU Support for Montenegro’s EU Membership Goal
Montenegro has set a target of closing all negotiation chapters by 2026 in hopes of joining the EU before the end of the decade. This ambitious goal has the support of the European Commission, provided that the country meets all the required conditions, including aligning its visa policy.
Pisonero reminded that aligning with the EU’s visa policy is a commitment Montenegro made as part of its Reform Agenda and the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, a six-billion-euro financial package aimed at strengthening the region. Montenegro will receive 383.5 million euros from this fund, but these payments are contingent on Montenegro’s progress in meeting the necessary criteria.
“Through its Reform Agenda, Montenegro has committed to aligning with the EU’s visa list, achieving interoperability between its systems, and enhancing border security, including biometric data collection,” Pisonero added.
With these conditions in mind, the EU will continue to evaluate Montenegro’s progress, ensuring that the country fulfills its obligations before any disbursement of financial assistance from the Growth Plan.
