Since 28 May 2026 a public bailiff in Montenegro may seize at most one third of salary, minimum wage, pension or wage compensation, and for a debt arising from statutory maintenance at most half. Until then up to half of a salary or pension could be taken. Exempt from enforcement are, among other things, social assistance, unemployment benefit, child allowance, scholarships and, since 2026, the newborn allowance and other child protection payments. The debt is paid into the bailiff's special account, not in cash, and the bailiff must pass it to the creditor within three working days.
This guide explains how much may be taken from salary and pension, which income is protected, what changes with account blocking, how the debt is paid and how to challenge enforcement or complain about a bailiff.
How much may be taken from salary and pension?
| Income | From 28 May 2026 | Until 27 May 2026 |
| salary and pension | up to one third | up to one half |
| minimum wage | up to one third | up to one third |
| statutory maintenance debt | up to one half | up to one half |
- Example: from a net salary of 900 euros a bailiff may take at most 300 euros a month, or at most 450 euros for child maintenance.
- Wage compensation includes wage compensation under labour law, pay for temporary and occasional work and pay under a service contract, if that is the debtor's only work income.
- Courts and bailiffs must keep the enforcement proportionate to the size of the debt, the means and the value of the assets.
- An employer must notify the bailiff immediately when the debtor no longer works there.
Which income cannot be seized?
- Statutory maintenance payments and compensation for damage to health, loss of working capacity or loss of maintenance.
- Compensation for physical impairment under disability insurance rules.
- Social assistance, unemployment benefit and child allowance.
- Scholarships and support for pupils and students.
- Since 28 May 2026 also the newborn allowance, childbirth benefits and other cash support from child protection.
- Annuities, lifelong maintenance and life insurance can be enforced only on the part above the highest amount of permanent social assistance.
What changes with account blocking?
- Enforcement on money in an account is carried out by the forced collection organisation every working day from 10:00 to 17:00.
- While enforcement on the money in a debtor's account is ongoing, banks may not open new accounts for them.
- For companies, sole traders and other self-employed people, funds for repairing disaster damage, donations and humanitarian aid and earmarked grants are exempt from enforcement.
How is the debt paid and what does a bailiff cost?
- The debt is paid into the public bailiff's special account, not in cash.
- The bailiff passes the money to the creditor immediately and at the latest within three working days, or 15 days in case of illness.
- The bailiff's fee and expenses follow a tariff adopted by the Government; they are costs of the procedure, and the bailiff issues an invoice.
- Documents from a bailiff are delivered to the recipient in person.
How do you challenge enforcement or a bailiff?
- An objection can be filed against the enforcement decision, but it does not suspend enforcement.
- The court and the bailiff do not review whether the enforcement title, such as a judgment, is lawful and correct.
- A request to disqualify the bailiff is made in the objection, and the court president decides on it.
- If a bailiff refuses to take a case or withholds an action without good reason, the party can complain to the Chamber of Public Bailiffs, which assigns another bailiff.
- The Ministry of Justice supervises the legality of bailiffs' work through the judicial inspectorate.
- If the debtor has no residence in Montenegro, the bailiff for the creditor's area of residence is competent.
- For legal help with enforcement, law firms such as RoNa Legal advise debtors and creditors.
Old debts are covered in our guide to the statute of limitations on debts, and selling a flat in enforcement in our guide to property auctions. Checking your loans is explained in our guide to the Credit Registry, and child maintenance in our guide to the Maintenance Fund.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a bailiff take from my salary in Montenegro? Since 28 May 2026 at most one third of salary, minimum wage or pension, and at most half for a statutory maintenance debt.
Can a bailiff take child allowance or social assistance? No, child allowance, social assistance and, since 2026, the newborn allowance are exempt from enforcement.
Does an objection stop enforcement? No, an objection to the enforcement decision does not suspend enforcement.
Can I pay the bailiff in cash? No, the debt is paid into the public bailiff's special account, and the bailiff passes the money to the creditor within three working days.
Where can I complain if a bailiff does not act? Complain to the Chamber of Public Bailiffs, and the Ministry of Justice supervises their work.
Can I open a new account while mine is blocked? No, while enforcement on the money in your account is ongoing, banks may not open new accounts for you.
Sources
The limits on enforcement against salary and pension, exempt income, account blocking and objections are set by the Law amending the Law on Enforcement and Security (Official Gazette 70/2026, Articles 10, 27a, 33, 62, 102, 103, 130, 136 and 205), and the special account, fees, complaints and supervision by the Law on Public Bailiffs (Official Gazette 31/2026, Articles 31, 32, 47, 48, 51 and 52). The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.