SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Montenegrins need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Montenegrin citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Montenegrins will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Montenegro's citizens gained visa-free Schengen access in December 2009 with biometric passports, and that status is why ETIAS will apply. ETIAS is an online authorisation linked to your passport, not a visa.

Montenegro is not in the Schengen area, so time spent at home is separate from the 90/180 count, which only applies once you cross into Schengen. The day limit itself is unchanged by ETIAS.

The euro at home, but still non-Schengen

Montenegro uses the euro as its currency despite being neither in the EU nor the eurozone - which leads some travellers to assume it is inside the Schengen area. It is not: you still clear a border check entering Montenegro, and Montenegrins still need a biometric passport (and, in future, ETIAS) for Schengen. Keep your passport valid for at least three months beyond departure.

How Montenegrins will apply

When ETIAS launches, Montenegrins will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets Montenegrins to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do Montenegrins need ETIAS?

Yes. Montenegrin citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Montenegrins will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost Montenegrins?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will Montenegrins need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for Montenegrins?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

Sources