Montenegro tightened rules of temporary protection for Ukrainian conscripts

The Government of Montenegro has tightened the conditions for granting temporary protection to citizens of Ukraine who are subject to military duty. The new restrictions will apply to Ukrainians applying for this status for the first time, but will not affect those who have already received temporary protection in the country.

This was reported on 15 October by the public broadcaster of Montenegro RTCG, citing an official government decision.

The changes were approved at the 142nd government session, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, Fight Against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić.

Under the new rules, Ukrainian conscripts will be able to obtain temporary protection in Montenegro only if two conditions are simultaneously met:

• before arriving in Montenegro they actually resided on the territory of Ukraine;
• they have fulfilled their military duties in Ukraine or were officially released from them.

Thus, having Ukrainian citizenship and belonging to the category of persons who left the country because of the war will no longer be sufficient grounds for the automatic granting of temporary protection to conscript applicants.

At the same time, the authorities of Montenegro emphasised separately that the new requirements do not apply to Ukrainians who are already enjoying temporary protection on the territory of the country. Their current status will not be reviewed solely on the basis of the adopted decision.

The government explained the changes by the need to align national legislation with Council of the European Union Decision No 2026/1912 of 30 July 2026.

This document provides for the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in EU countries until 4 March 2028. At the same time, it establishes additional requirements for new applicants who have military obligations in Ukraine.

In particular, the EU decision provides for the granting of temporary protection to such persons provided they have fulfilled their military obligations. If necessary, the applicant must present corresponding confirmation.

An exception is provided for Ukrainians who received temporary protection in the relevant EU state before the introduction of the restrictions and have continuously maintained this status.

Montenegro is not a member of the European Union, but is gradually aligning its legislation and migration rules with European norms as part of the EU accession process.

The authorities of Montenegro previously extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until 4 March 2027. This decision allows Ukrainians who cannot return home due to the war to continue lawful stay in the country.

The new restrictions concern precisely the obtaining of temporary protection status by conscripted Ukrainians, and not a general ban on the entry of Ukrainian citizens into Montenegro.

The government announcement does not specify exactly which documents will be required to prove fulfilment of military duties or release from them. The date when the new requirements will enter into force has also not yet been indicated.

Based on materials from: Government of Montenegro, RTCG, Council of the European Union.