Montenegro: immigration

Do I need a visa for Montenegro?

From 1 November 2026, nationals of Belarus, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will need a visa to enter Montenegro, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government adopted the change on 23 July 2026 to align Montenegro's visa policy fully with the European Union's.

The ministry says applications can now be made through visa application centres in several countries, including India, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, as well as at embassies and consulates, with more centres planned. It describes the alignment as one of the closing benchmarks in EU accession talks.

Official sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa policy aligned with the EU

How many asylum seekers does Montenegro receive?

145 people applied for asylum in Montenegro for the first time in 2025, up from 130 in 2024, according to Eurostat.

The figures count first-time applicants for international protection and do not show how many were granted protection. Montenegro's overall population change also includes migration: the migration rate was 5.5 per 1,000 people in 2025, and the population was 623,115 in mid-2025, according to Monstat.

Official sources: Eurostat: first-time asylum applicants, Montenegro · Monstat: population estimates 2025

How many immigrants live in Montenegro?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Montenegro at 14.4% in 2024. It was 11.4% in 2015. It is 20th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 43rd highest.

Are more people leaving Montenegro than arriving?

-9,279: that is net migration in Montenegro for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 158; Montenegro is 37th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.

How many refugees live in Montenegro?

In 2025, the number of refugees in the country in Montenegro was 12,269, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2006 was 2023, at 64,733; its low point was 2020, at 166. It is 36th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 62,365. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 89th highest.

How many refugees have fled Montenegro?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Montenegro was 696 in 2025. Its high point since 2006 was 2012, at 4,052; its low point was 2006, at 136. It is 23rd highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. Worldwide: 107th of 189.

How big are remittances in Montenegro's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Montenegro at 9.7% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 13.6% of GDP in 2021 and the low 5.3% of GDP in 2007. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Montenegro placed 5th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 19th of 127.