Montenegro Announces Return of Visa-Free Travel for Türkiye

Montenegro is expected to lift its suspension of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens within 10 to 15 days. The update was delivered by Montenegro’s Foreign Minister, Ervin Ibrahimovic, during a joint press conference in the capital alongside his German counterpart. 

He stated that discussions with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić are ongoing and that the government is actively working toward lifting the suspension.

The visa-free arrangement was initially suspended in late October after reports in local media linking Turkish nationals to an incident in Podgorica. The news triggered an immediate response from Prime Minister Spajić, who announced via social media that the country would temporarily halt visa-free access for Turkish travelers.

Soon after, two individuals were arrested in connection with the reported incident. However, the Podgorica High Court later ruled that the two had no involvement in the case. The court ordered their release, effectively removing any legal basis tying Turkish citizens to the incident.

The suspension created immediate consequences on the ground. Turkish diplomatic missions in Montenegro were quickly overwhelmed with a surge in visa applications from citizens affected by the sudden change in policy. 

Visa-free travel agreements generally allow short-term entry without requiring travelers to obtain a visa in advance. They are widely used to encourage tourism, business, and to strengthen bilateral relations. However, governments may temporarily suspend such privileges in response to security issues or diplomatic tensions.

With the court ruling now public and diplomatic discussions ongoing, the Montenegrin government appears to be moving swiftly toward restoring the original travel policy.