France

Visa regime

Nationals of France may enter, pass through the territory of and stay in Montenegro up to 90 days, with a valid travel document, without a visa.

Nationals of France may enter, pass through the territory of and stay in Montenegro up to 30 days, without a visa, with a valid identity card issued by the competent authority of France.

Diplomatic relations

Montenegro and the French Republic traditionally have had friendly relations established at the time of the Principality of Montenegro. France has had its diplomatic representation in Montenegro since late 1878, with its first representative being Mr. Sen Kanten. 

December 18, 2009, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries signed the Roadmap on strengthening their bilateral relations. 

The French Republic has officially recognized Montenegro on 13th June 2006, whereby the diplomatic relations have been established. 

Diplomatic office of the French Republic was opened in June 2003 in Podgorica and was turned into an Embassy in July 2006. 

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Montenegro in the French Republic is Mr. Ivan Ivanišević; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic in Montenegro is Mr. Christian Thimonier. 

The year 2020 marked a hundred and forty years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. 

Official bilateral visits 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Đorđe Radulović paid a working visit to Paris from 18th-22nd April 2021.

Prime Minister of Montenegro Mr. Milo Đukanović paid an official visit to France from 9th – 11th December 2014. 

Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr. Ranko Krivokapić paid an official visit to France from 22nd – 24th June 2014.  

Minister for European Affairs Mr. Thierry Repentin paid an official visit to Montenegro on 3rd September 2013. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Mr. Igor Lukšić paid an official visit to France, from 14th-15th March 2013. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Mr. Phillippe Douste-Blazy paid an official visit to Montenegro on 23rd March 2007. 

Economic indicators 

In the period January-October 2021, foreign direct investments from France amounted to 8.9 million euros. In 2020, direct investments from France amounted to 5.031 million euros. In 2019 and 2018, investments from France amounted to 5.7 million euros, while in 2017, French investments amounted to 3.24 million euros.

In the period January-October 2021, trade exchange amounted to 41.5 million euros (exports 1.9 million; imports 39.6 million). In 2020, trade fell significantly due to the COVID 19 pandemic, amounting to € 44.82 million (exports € 597,000; imports € 44.22 million). In 2019, trade amounted to 60.66 million (exports 1.44; imports 59.22 million), while in 2018 trade amounted to 55.95 million (exports 3.84 million; imports 52, 11 million).

In the period January-October 2021, 22,511 arrivals of French tourists were recorded in Montenegro, who spent 87,794 nights in collective accommodation. During 2020, 2,051 arrivals of French tourists were recorded, who realized 10,902 overnight stays in collective accommodation. In 2019, Montenegro was visited by 90,062 tourists from France, who spent 436,463 nights, while in 2018, Montenegro was visited by 77,096 French tourists with 388,715 nights.