Montenegro Suspends Visa-Free Travel for Turkish Citizens

The Turkish Embassy in Podgorica announced that as of October 30, Turkish citizens holding ordinary (maroon) passports will now require a visa to enter Montenegro — effectively ending years of visa-free travel between the two countries.

The decision follows violent protests and rising anti-Turkish sentiment in the Montenegrin capital after a local stabbing incident allegedly involving two Turkish nationals.

Embassy Confirms Visa Requirement

In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the Turkish Embassy stated:

“According to information received from the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports will be required to obtain a visa before traveling to Montenegro as of October 30.”

Visas can be obtained from Montenegro’s embassies in Ankara and Istanbul, while individuals holding valid residence permits for the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, Australia, or any Schengen member state will still be allowed to enter Montenegro without a visa.

Tensions Following Stabbing Incident

According to Montenegrin media, the diplomatic shift comes in the wake of a violent altercation in Podgorica, where a 25-year-old Montenegrin citizen (identified as M.J.) was reportedly stabbed by two Turkish nationals.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage and anti-Turkish protests, particularly in the Zabjelo neighborhood of the capital.

Protesters gathered outside Turkish-owned businesses, chanting slogans such as “Death to Turks” and sharing anti-Turkish videos on social media. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the new visa policy is directly tied to the incident, but local reports suggest the move was politically motivated to ease domestic tensions.

End of the 90-Day Visa Waiver

Under the Turkey–Montenegro Visa Waiver Agreement, citizens of both nations had previously been allowed to enter each other’s countries visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The suspension marks a significant setback in bilateral relations, as Turkey has been one of Montenegro’s top tourism and investment partners in the Western Balkans.

The Montenegrin government has framed the move as “temporary,” but no clear timeline has been given for when — or if — the visa-free regime will be reinstated.