Serbia prepares to cancel visa-free regime for Russians

Discussing changes to rules for Russians

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Serbia, one of the last European countries with visa-free entry for Russian citizens, is preparing for possible accession to the Schengen zone. This could lead to the introduction of visas for Russians. The Serbian government has formed a working group that is working on preparations for Schengen, aiming to complete this process by the end of 2027. Serbia's Minister for European Integration, Jadranka Joksimović, confirmed that the country expects to join the Schengen zone simultaneously with full membership in the European Union.

Currently, Russians can enter Serbia visa-free and stay in the country for up to 30 days. However, according to a report by The Moscow Times, Serbia's preparations for Schengen may change this situation. The head of the parliamentary committee on diaspora and Serbs in the region, Dragan Stanojević, confirmed that discussions regarding a review of the visa-free regime with Russia are indeed underway. At the same time, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously denied the possibility of canceling the visa-free regime, stating:

“Such a decision will not be made, and even if someone makes it, it will be immediately canceled.”

Situation in Montenegro

Montenegro is also planning to cancel the visa-free regime for Russians and Belarusian citizens starting November 1, 2026. Before that, until October 31, 2026, Russians will still have the opportunity to enter Montenegro visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days. The Montenegrin government explained this change as a necessity to align visa policy with EU requirements, which is part of the obligations on the path to EU membership.

Negotiations for Serbia's EU membership have been ongoing since 2014. In April 2026, President Vučić noted the intention to meet the criteria for eurointegration by the end of the year, particularly in the area of migration and visa policy. However, Stanojević assessed Serbia's EU membership by the end of the current decade as unlikely. In October 2025, Vučić emphasized that EU membership is a foreign policy priority for Serbia, although in June 2026, he stated that the issue of canceling the visa-free regime for Russians had not been considered. Additionally, on June 27, 2026, Vučić announced the intention to resign in the coming weeks, which may affect the further development of the situation.

The situation regarding possible changes in Serbia and Montenegro's visa policy concerns not only Russian citizens but also broader processes of European integration for these countries. Given the commitments to the EU, such decisions could become significant steps toward EU membership, which, in turn, could impact relations with other states. In the context of rising tensions in the region, these changes may have a significant impact on the movement of people and socio-economic ties in the future.