Protection from domestic violence and violence against women in Montenegro 2026: the new law, how to report, removal from the home, restraining orders and penalties

Since 19 August 2026 Montenegro has had a new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, replacing the 2010 law. The law now also protects intimate partners, former partners and people who have a child together, and it separately covers violence against women whoever commits it. The police can order an abuser to leave the home for three days, and within 48 hours the misdemeanour court imposes protective measures lasting from 30 days to one year. Violence carries a fine of 300 to 1,000 euros or at least ten days in prison. Help is also available on the free National SOS Line 080 111 111, which runs 24 hours a day.

This guide explains what the law treats as violence, how to report it, what the police can do, which protective measures exist, the victim's rights and the penalties.

What does the law treat as violence?

• Domestic violence is an act or omission by a family member that threatens the physical, psychological or economic integrity, mental health and peace of another family member, whether or not they live together.
• Family members also include unmarried partners, same-sex life partners, partners in an intimate relationship, former spouses and former partners, and people who have a child together even if they never lived together.
• Violence includes, among other things, threats, insults, restricting contact with others, stalking, destroying property, withholding basic means of living and threatening to throw someone out of the home.
• Serious neglect of a child or of a family member who cannot look after themselves also counts as violence.
• Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence against a woman or girl, in public or private life.
• A child who witnessed violence is also a victim.

How do you report violence?

• You report violence to the police, on 122 or 112, or to the social work centre.
• The National SOS Line for victims of domestic violence, 080 111 111, is free and runs 24 hours a day.
• State bodies, health and education institutions, doctors, social workers, teachers and educators must report to the police any violence they learn of at work, and anyone who fails to do so pays 100 to 500 euros.
• The police and the misdemeanour court inform the social work centre of every reported case.
• The victim has the right to be heard without delay and to further hearings only as far as necessary.

What can the police do in the first three days?

• A police officer can order the abuser to leave the home or ban them from returning for up to three days.
• The written order is handed to the abuser and the victim immediately, and within two hours at the latest.
• The abuser may take personal belongings needed for daily life and must hand the keys to the police.
• Within 12 hours the police inform the misdemeanour court and the social work centre, and within three days the court decides on a protective measure.
• Anyone who does not comply with the police order faces at least 30 days in prison.
• The police accompany the victim to the home to collect personal belongings, unless the victim expressly objects.

Which protective measures exist?

• A measure can be requested by the victim or their representative, the social work centre, the police or the state prosecutor, and the court can also impose it on its own initiative.
• When the victim needs protection immediately, the misdemeanour court imposes the measure within 48 hours of receiving the request.
• If the request was filed before proceedings, a request to start proceedings must follow within eight days, or the court lifts the measure.
• Removal from the home is ordered regardless of who owns the property.
• The court can extend measures up to two years in total, and an appeal within three days does not suspend them.

What rights does the victim have?

• The victim has the right to psychosocial and legal assistance, social and medical protection, and free legal aid.
• The victim may choose a trusted person to attend all actions, but this cannot be the abuser or a witness in the proceedings.
• The social work centre, with an expert team, draws up a support plan in line with the victim's needs and choices.
• Information that could identify the victim may not be published, unless an adult victim expressly agrees.
• The victim has the right to be told by the police and the court about the actions taken and the measures imposed, and to complain if no action was taken.

What are the penalties?

• Violence against a family member or a woman carries a fine of 300 to 1,000 euros or at least ten days in prison.
• If an adult family member commits violence in the presence of a child, the penalty is at least 300 euros or at least 20 days in prison.
• If the victim is a child, the penalty is at least 500 euros or at least 30 days in prison.
• Hiding a family member with a disability carries at least 1,000 euros or at least 60 days in prison.

The right to a lawyer free of charge is explained in our guide to free legal aid, and emergency service numbers in our guide to emergency numbers. Child maintenance when a parent does not pay is described in our guide to the Alimony Fund, and financial support in our guide to social assistance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report domestic violence? Call the police on 122 or 112 or contact the social work centre, and you can also get advice on the free SOS line 080 111 111.

Can the police remove an abuser from the home straight away? Yes, the police can order the abuser to leave the home or ban them from returning for up to three days, until the court decides on a protective measure.

How long does a restraining order last? A ban on approaching lasts from 30 days to one year, and the court can extend it up to two years in total.

Does the law also protect former partners? Yes, the new law also protects former spouses, former partners, partners in an intimate relationship and people who have a child together.

Must a doctor or teacher report violence? Yes, health and social workers, teachers and educators must report to the police any violence they learn of at work, or they pay 100 to 500 euros.

What is the penalty for domestic violence? The penalty is a fine of 300 to 1,000 euros or at least ten days in prison, and stricter penalties apply when the victim is a child.

Sources

The forms of violence, reporting, police orders, protective measures, victims' rights and penalties are set by the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women (Official Gazette 119/2026, Articles 2 to 45). The National SOS Line 080 111 111 is presented by SOS Telefon Nikšić, and its 24-hour operation by the Ministry of Social Welfare. The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.