Since talks began on 29 June 2012, Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters, and by 14 July 2026 it had provisionally closed 18. 15 chapters are still open, including judiciary and fundamental rights (23) and justice, freedom and security (24). The intergovernmental conference planned for 22 September 2026 was postponed because Croatia did not support closing several chapters. The Government's goal is membership in 2028, which the European Commission considers possible, and several laws already adopted, including the new VAT Law 104/2026, only start to apply on the day of accession.
This guide explains where the talks stand today, which chapters are closed, the next steps to membership and what does and does not change on accession day for citizens, foreigners, companies and property buyers.
How far has Montenegro come in its EU accession talks?
- Talks opened on 29 June 2012, and all 33 chapters had been opened by 2021.
- In June 2024 Montenegro received a positive report on meeting the interim benchmarks for chapters 23 and 24, which cleared the way to closing other chapters.
- At the conference of 15 June 2026 chapters 2 (freedom of movement for workers) and 28 (consumer and health protection) were closed, and on 14 July 2026 chapters 8 (competition policy) and 29 (customs union).
- In 2026 the Council of the EU set up an ad hoc working party that is drafting Montenegro's accession treaty.
- The chapters are closed provisionally: as the EU says in its statements, it may return to them until agreement is reached on all chapters.
Which chapters are closed and which are still open?
| Status | Chapters |
| Provisionally closed (18) | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 32 |
| Open (15) | 1, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 31 and 33 |
- The open chapters include free movement of goods (1), financial services (9), transport (14), energy (15), taxation (16), environment (27), foreign and security policy (31) and financial provisions (33).
- In September 2026 Croatia blocked the closure of chapters 14, 23, 24 and 31 over open issues from the wars of the 1990s, the maritime border and the ship Jadran.
When could Montenegro join the European Union?
- Closing all 33 chapters: an EU plan from August 2026 aimed to finish this by the end of 2026, but the September conference was postponed.
- Finishing the text of the accession treaty, drafted by the Council's working party.
- Signing the treaty and obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.
- Ratification by all member states and by Montenegro.
- Entry into force of the treaty, when Montenegro becomes a member.
- In September 2026 European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that membership in 2028 is still possible, although the speed of ratification in the member states will be decisive.
What changes on accession day?
| Law | What applies from accession day |
| VAT Law 104/2026 | The whole new law, aligned with the EU VAT directive, replaces the current one |
| Excise Law, amendments 160/2025 | Electronic tracking of excise goods moving to and from EU countries and distance sales of excise goods |
| Law on Compulsory Traffic Insurance | Certain provisions on vehicle insurance |
| Consumer Protection Law 12/2026 | Certain provisions start to apply, and some cease to apply |
| Payment Transactions Law | Certain provisions on payment services |
| Roads Law | Certain provisions, and older tunnels must be reviewed within 24 months |
- VAT rates in the new law stay at 21%, 15% and 7%, but the rules for trade in goods between Montenegro and EU countries change.
- The visa regime is being aligned with the EU even before membership: from 1 November 2026 citizens of Belarus, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye need a visa.
What does not change straight away?
- A new member does not automatically join the Schengen area: border checks towards the EU remain until the Council of the EU decides separately on Schengen entry.
- Montenegro already uses the euro but is not a member of the euro area; joining it requires separate conditions and an agreement with the EU after membership.
- Rules on buying property and on foreigners' residence change only as far as the accession treaty and new laws provide.
How expensive Montenegro is compared with EU countries is explained in our guide to prices compared with the EU, entering the EU over the Croatian border and the EES system in our guide to border crossings, and what travellers may bring in our guide to customs allowances. Buying a flat as a foreigner is explained in our guide to buying property, and what EU membership means for property owners and buyers is explained by RoNa Legal.
Frequently asked questions
How many chapters has Montenegro closed? By 14 July 2026 Montenegro had provisionally closed 18 of the 33 negotiating chapters.
When will Montenegro join the EU? The goal is membership in 2028, but the date depends on closing the remaining chapters and on ratification of the treaty in all member states.
Why was the September 2026 conference postponed? Croatia did not support closing chapters 14, 23, 24 and 31 because of open bilateral issues.
Will Montenegro join Schengen on the day of membership? No, Schengen entry is decided separately, after the new member's readiness has been checked.
Does VAT change on the day of membership? The rates stay at 21%, 15% and 7%, but from accession day the new VAT Law 104/2026, aligned with EU rules, starts to apply.
Does Montenegro already use the euro? It does, but it is not a member of the euro area and has no representative at the European Central Bank.
Sources
The closure of chapters 8 and 29 and the total of 18 closed chapters were announced by the EU Delegation to Montenegro (15 July 2026), and the postponement of the September conference and Croatia's demands were reported by Brussels Signal (24 September 2026). Application from accession day is set by the VAT Law (Official Gazette 104/2026, Article 213) and by amendments to the laws on excise, traffic insurance, consumer protection, payment transactions and roads. The rules on new members joining Schengen are explained by the European Commission. The information was checked on 26 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this article is not legal advice.