The new Food Safety Law has applied since 12 May 2026 and does not apply to food you make and store for your own household. As soon as you place food on the market you become a food business operator: production, processing and distribution may take place only in registered or approved premises, and the registration application is submitted before you start. Hygiene requirements do not apply to those who directly supply small quantities of primary products to the end customer or local shops, with the criteria for small quantities set by the Government. An individual operating without registered premises faces a fine of 500 to 2,000 euros.
This guide brings together what the new law means for home producers and people selling food through listings.
When does the law apply and when not?
| Situation | What applies |
| primary production of food in the household for personal use | the law does not apply |
| preparing, handling and storing food for own consumption | the law does not apply |
| placing food on the market | the law applies, with registered or approved premises |
| direct sale of small quantities of primary products to the end customer or a local shop | general hygiene requirements do not apply; the Government sets the criteria for small quantities and the local market |
| small-scale production and traditional methods | derogations may be approved, mainly for construction, layout and equipment of the premises |
- For small quantities of products of animal origin the Government adopted a separate decree in August 2026, covered in the cheese and kajmak guide below.
Registration or approval of premises?
- Registration: before starting, the operator applies to the competent authority, which issues a decision and enters the premises in the Central Register.
- Approval: for activities that require approval, the application includes a sketch of the premises, a description of the process where needed and the scale of business; a commission inspects the premises.
- The register of premises is published on the competent authority's website.
- Any change of details is reported within 30 days, and a change of location requires new registration.
- The types of premises that are registered, the form and the documentation are set by the Ministry.
- Until new regulations are adopted, within 18 months, the regulations under the 2015 law apply if they do not conflict with the new law.
What deadlines apply to existing producers?
| Who | Deadline |
| approved premises using traditional methods | application for approval under the new law within six months of entry into force, that is by 12 November 2026 |
| category III premises with temporary approval under an improvement plan | remedying non-compliance by 31 December 2030 at the latest |
| producers and importers of food contact materials | application for entry in the register within three months of the law's entry into force |
How high are the fines?
| Who | Fine |
| individual | 500 to 2,000 euros |
| sole trader | 1,000 to 6,000 euros |
| company | 2,000 to 20,000 euros |
| responsible person in a company | 500 to 2,000 euros |
- Fines apply, among other things, to operating outside registered or approved premises, failing to apply for registration before starting and failing to report changes of details.
The rules for cheese, kajmak and poultry from the farm are in the guide to homemade cheese and kajmak, and for honey in the guide to selling honey. Health checks for people working with food are explained in the guide to the sanitary booklet, and where to sell in Podgorica in the guide to markets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell cakes I make at home? Under the new law, food for the market is produced in registered or approved premises, and the registration application is submitted before starting. The law does not apply only to food for your own household.
When does the new Food Safety Law apply? It was published on 4 May 2026 in Official Gazette 59/2026 and has been in force from the eighth day, 12 May 2026.
What is the fine for selling food without registered premises? 500 to 2,000 euros for an individual, 1,000 to 6,000 euros for a sole trader and 2,000 to 20,000 euros for a company.
What are small quantities of primary products? The law exempts the direct sale of small quantities of primary products to the end customer or a local shop from hygiene requirements, and the Government sets the product types and the criteria for small quantities.
By when must traditional producers seek new approval? Approved premises using traditional methods apply within six months of the law's entry into force, that is by 12 November 2026.
Do the old rulebooks still apply? Yes, until new regulations are adopted, for which the law allows 18 months, if they do not conflict with the new law.
Sources
The rules are set by the Food Safety Law (Official Gazette 59/2026), Articles 3, 35, 39, 42 to 45, 82 and 84 to 88. Small quantities of products of animal origin are covered by the Decree on placing small quantities on the market (Official Gazette 116/2026). Information checked on 29 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.