A beekeeper registers in the register of holdings keeping bees with the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs for an administrative fee of 3 euros, and a change in the number of hives or location costs 5 euros. The application states whether the honey is for personal use only or for sale. The register updated on 25 August 2026 has 4,755 entries with a total of 180,485 bee colonies, most of them in Podgorica. Honey for sale must not contain added sugar or other ingredients and must not be heated above 45°C. The new Rulebook on the minimum quality of honey applies from 1 June 2027 and makes the country of origin and the shares of countries in blends mandatory on the label.
This guide brings together registration, register data and the rules for selling honey in one place.
How does a beekeeper register?
| Step | Detail |
| application | the Administration's form with details of the beekeeper, beekeeping method, number of colonies, hive types and apiary locations |
| fee | 3 euros to account 832-3161433-73, purpose: administrative fee |
| attachments | proof of residence or a copy of the ID card |
| change | the same form, a copy of the decision being amended and a fee of 5 euros |
| annual obligation | report changes for the previous year by 31 March |
| address | the Administration, Serdara Jola Piletića 26, Podgorica |
- The application marks the beekeeping method: conventional or organic production, or queen rearing.
- It also states whether honey is extracted and packed in the beekeeper's own premises and whether it is intended for sale.
How many beekeepers are there in Montenegro?
Register of bee keepers, updated on 25 August 2026:
| Municipality | Entries | Bee colonies |
| Podgorica | 1,152 | 47,491 |
| Pljevlja | 613 | 16,471 |
| Nikšić | 438 | 16,932 |
| Bijelo Polje | 286 | 9,898 |
| Bar | 249 | 13,818 |
| Rožaje | 249 | 7,682 |
| Berane | 172 | 7,134 |
| all of Montenegro | 4,755 | 180,485 |
- The municipal totals are summed from the register, merging different spellings of the same municipality name.
Which conditions apply to honey for sale?
- Honey must not contain added ingredients: sugar, sweeteners, flavourings, colourings, preservatives.
- It must not have a foreign taste or smell and must not be fermenting, except baker's honey.
- It must not be heated so that enzymes are destroyed; crystallised honey is melted at no more than 45°C.
- It must not come from combs containing brood or be exposed to ionising or ultraviolet radiation.
- It is packed in closed food-grade containers and kept in dry, dark rooms at room temperature.
What does the new honey rulebook change from 1 June 2027?
| Rule | New rulebook |
| country of origin | the label states the country where the honey was harvested |
| blends from several countries | countries are listed by share, from largest to smallest, with percentages |
| water | at most 20% for most honey, 23% for heather honey |
| HMF | at most 40 mg/kg for most honey |
| single-flower honey | at least 45% pollen of that plant, with exceptions: chestnut 85%, lime 25%, acacia 20%, sage 15% |
| honey with additions | at least 60% honey in the finished product |
- Until 1 June 2027 the 2014 rulebook applies, and honey placed on the market before then may be sold until stocks run out.
- Baker's honey must carry the words "for cooking and baking only" next to its name.
Anyone selling cheese or kajmak alongside honey should see the guide to selling homemade cheese and kajmak. How to register a farm is explained in the guide to the farm register, where to sell in Podgorica in the guide to markets, and farm support in the guide to the agri-budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much does beekeeper registration cost? The administrative fee for registration is 3 euros, and for changing details, for example the number of hives or location, 5 euros.
By when must a beekeeper report changes? By 31 March of the current year for the previous one, if the number of colonies, location, hive type or beekeeping method has changed.
How many beekeepers are there in Montenegro? The register updated on 25 August 2026 has 4,755 entries with 180,485 bee colonies, 1,152 of the entries in Podgorica.
May honey be heated? Only so far that enzymes are not destroyed; crystallised honey is not heated above 45°C when melted.
When does the new honey quality rulebook apply? The rulebook in Official Gazette 69/2026 entered into force in May 2026 and applies from 1 June 2027.
Must the country of origin be on a jar of honey? Under the new rulebook, yes: the country where the honey was harvested, and for blends all countries with their percentage shares.
Sources
The form and fees are published by the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs under Requests and registers (Application for entry in the register of holdings keeping bees 2026 and Register of bee keepers updated 25.08.2026). Quality and labelling conditions are set by the Rulebook on the minimum quality of honey and other bee products (Official Gazette 69/2026), Articles 14, 16, 18 to 20, 22, 25 and 26 and Annexes 1 and 2. Information checked on 29 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.