The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Montenegro is the 25th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria.

Boris Raonić, the Director General of RTCG, stated that Montenegro’s participation in Eurovision 2026 “is not in question”, though concerns remain regarding the selection process due to the broadcaster’s limited budget – half of which depends on donations. Council member Janko Ljumović remarked:

“For RTCG, absence from the competition would be an admission that we are incapable”.

He highlighted financial difficulties but emphasized that non-participation would be tantamount to giving up, despite a series of weak results.

Council members Nikola Tatar and Marijana Camović Veličković expressed reservations regarding participation. Tatar advocated organizing a festival to promote Montenegrin artists, while Camović Veličković argued that Eurovision is an unnecessary expense and criticized the organization of Montenegro’s national final, “Montesong”.

Montenegro has long faced economic challenges with Eurovision involvement, missing four contests in the past six years. Due to these ongoing financial constraints, it remains unclear how Montenegro will choose its entry for 2026 – whether via a national final or internal selection. Further details are expected to be revealed in due course.

Montenegro in Eurovision: The Black Mountain and the Black Sheep

Montenegro is considered one of the most struggling nations in Eurovision. Out of 13 appearances, it has qualified for the Grand Final only twice – the lowest success rate except Andorra. In its debut in 2007, Montenegro sent Stevan Faddy with “Ajde, Kroci” to Helsinki, but failed to progress beyond the semi-final, finishing 22nd with 33 points. The country also failed to reach the final in 2008 and 2009 and withdrew in 2010 and 2011.

Montenegro returned in 2012 but again did not advance. The following year, the group Who See along with Nina Zizic also failed to qualify from the semi-finals. However, renewed optimism came in 2014, when Sergej Cetkovic and his song “Moj Svijet” finally reached the Grand Final, placing 19th. In 2015, Knez secured Montenegro’s best result to date – 13th place.

Since 2016, Montenegro’s results have declined, with the country failing to qualify in Stockholm, Kyiv, Lisbon, and Tel Aviv. Financial difficulties also forced Montenegro to withdraw from Eurovision 2020 and 2021. The 2022 comeback attempt with Vladana Vucinic ended in another semi-final exit, finishing 17th with 33 points. Persistent economic challenges kept Montenegro out in 2023 and 2024 as well. The country returned in 2025, but again failed to qualify for the final.

Montenegro in Eurovision 2025

“Dobrodošli” (in English: “Welcome”) is the title of the song performed by singer Nina Žižić, who finished in 16th and last place with only 12 points in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025, held on May 15th in Basel, Switzerland.