# Accession of Montenegro to the European Union

Accession of Montenegro to the European Union is on the agenda for future enlargement of the EU.
After voting for independence from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, Montenegro began the process of accession to the European Union by agreeing to a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, which officially came into force on 1 May 2010. Montenegro officially applied to join the EU on 15 December 2008. Membership negotiations began on 29 June 2012. As of 2024, Montenegro's goal is to achieve membership of the EU by 2028.
It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Among the six candidates with open negotiations (Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Moldova and Ukraine), the most advanced stage of the negotiations—defined as meeting the interim benchmarks for negotiation chapter 23 and 24 which allow the closing process of all negotiation chapters to start—has so far only been reached by Montenegro. As of December 2024, twenty-seven out of 33 chapters remain to be closed.

## History
### Identification

Montenegro was granted potential candidate status in December 2002, when it was still in a union with Serbia. The EU recognized the new and independent country's European Perspective on 21 June 2003 at the Thessaloniki Summit. The adoption of the Thessaloniki Declaration of 2003 was a promise by the EU that the former Yugoslav republics along with Albania have "unequivocal support for future integration and full membership of these states in the Union".

### Recommendation

The European Commission recommended Montenegro as a candidate country on 9 November 2010. Montenegro officially was granted candidate status on 17 December 2010.

### Membership application

Montenegro officially applied to join the EU on 15 December 2008.

### Questionnaire

On 23 April 2009, the Council invited the European Commission to submit its opinion on the application. The Commission presented Montenegro with a questionnaire to assess its application on 22 July 2009. On 9 December 2009, Montenegro delivered its answers to the EC questionnaire. In 2010, the Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro's application, identifying seven key priorities that would need to be addressed for negotiations to begin.

## Treaties
### Stabilisation and Association Agreement

The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro started the process of Accession to the European Union in November 2005, when negotiations over a Stabilisation and Association Agreement began. The EU concluded such agreements with states that wish to become members. In exchange for commitments to political, economic, trade, or human rights reform in the country, tariff-free access to some or all EU markets (industrial goods, agricultural products, etc.), and financial or technical assistance may be offered by the EU.
In May 2006, Montenegro voted for independence in a referendum, and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was dissolved. Serbia continued with the existing SAA negotiations, and separate negotiations were launched with Montenegro in September 2006.
The Agreement was initiated on 15 March 2007 and signed on 15 October 2007. After all the 27 member-states of EU had ratified the SAA, it came into force on 1 May 2010.
| Event | North Macedonia | Croatia | Albania | Montenegro | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Serbia | Kosovo |
| SAA negotiations start | 2000-04-05 | 2000-11-24 | 2003-01-31 | 2005-10-10 | 2005-11-25 | 2005-10-10 | 2013-10-28 |
| SAA initialled | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-14 | 2006-02-28 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-12-04 | 2007-11-07 | 2014-07-25 |
| SAA/IA signature | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-29 | 2006-06-12 | 2007-10-15 | 2008-06-16 | 2008-04-29 | 2015-10-27 |
| Interim Agreement: ||||||||
| EC ratification | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-06-12 | 2007-10-15 | 2008-06-16 | 2009-12-08 | N/A |
| SAP state ratification | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-10-09 | 2007-11-14 | 2008-06-20 | 2008-09-22 | N/A |
| entry into force | 2001-06-01 | 2002-03-01 | 2006-12-01 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-01 | 2010-02-01 | N/A |
| Deposit of the instrument of ratification: ||||||||
| SAP state | 2001-04-27 | 2002-01-30 | 2006-11-09 | 2007-11-13 | 2009-02-26 | 2008-09-22 | 2016-02-26 |
| Austria | 2002-09-06 | 2002-03-15 | 2008-05-21 | 2008-07-04 | 2009-09-04 | 2011-01-13 | N/A |
| Belgium | 2003-12-29 | 2003-12-17 | 2008-10-22 | 2010-03-29 | 2010-03-29 | 2012-03-20 | N/A |
| Bulgaria | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-30 | 2009-03-13 | 2010-08-12 | N/A |
| Croatia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | N/A |
| Cyprus | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-30 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-11-26 | N/A |
| Czech Republic | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-05-07 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-07-23 | 2011-01-28 | N/A |
| Denmark | 2002-04-10 | 2002-05-08 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-06-25 | 2009-05-26 | 2011-03-04 | N/A |
| Estonia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-10-17 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-09-11 | 2010-08-19 | N/A |
| Finland | 2004-01-06 | 2004-01-06 | 2007-11-29 | 2009-03-18 | 2009-04-07 | 2011-10-21 | N/A |
| France | 2003-06-04 | 2003-06-04 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-07-30 | 2011-02-10 | 2012-01-16 | N/A |
| Germany | 2002-06-20 | 2002-10-18 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-11-16 | 2009-08-14 | 2012-02-24 | N/A |
| Greece | 2003-08-27 | 2003-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-10 | N/A |
| Hungary | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-04-23 | 2008-05-14 | 2008-10-22 | 2010-11-16 | N/A |
| Ireland | 2002-05-06 | 2002-05-06 | 2007-06-11 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-06-04 | 2011-09-29 | N/A |
| Italy | 2003-10-30 | 2004-10-06 | 2008-01-07 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-09-08 | 2011-01-06 | N/A |
| Latvia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2006-12-19 | 2008-10-17 | 2009-11-12 | 2011-05-30 | N/A |
| Lithuania | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-05-17 | 2009-03-04 | 2009-05-04 | 2013-06-26 | N/A |
| Luxembourg | 2003-07-28 | 2003-08-01 | 2007-07-04 | 2009-06-11 | 2010-12-22 | 2011-01-21 | N/A |
| Malta | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2008-04-21 | 2008-12-11 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-06 | N/A |
| Netherlands | 2002-09-09 | 2004-04-30 | 2007-12-10 | 2009-01-29 | 2009-09-30 | 2012-02-27 | N/A |
| Poland | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-04-14 | 2009-02-06 | 2010-04-07 | 2012-01-13 | N/A |
| Portugal | 2003-07-14 | 2003-07-14 | 2008-07-11 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-06-29 | 2011-03-04 | N/A |
| Romania | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2009-01-15 | 2010-01-08 | 2012-05-22 | N/A |
| Slovakia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-07-20 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-03-17 | 2010-11-11 | N/A |
| Slovenia | joined the EU later | joined the EU later | 2007-01-18 | 2008-02-07 | 2009-03-10 | 2010-12-07 | N/A |
| Spain | 2002-10-04 | 2002-10-04 | 2007-05-03 | 2009-03-12 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-06-21 | N/A |
| Sweden | 2002-06-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2007-03-21 | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-14 | 2011-04-15 | N/A |
| United Kingdom | 2002-12-17 | 2004-09-03 | 2007-10-16 | 2010-01-12 | 2010-04-20 | 2011-08-11 | N/A |
| European Communities or European Union and Euratom | 2004-02-25 | 2004-12-21 | 2009-02-26 | 2010-03-29 | 2015-04-30 | 2013-07-22 | 2016-02-24 |
| SAA entry into force | 2004-04-01 | 2005-02-01 | 2009-04-01 | 2010-05-01 | 2015-06-01 | 2013-09-01 | 2016-04-01 |
| EU membership (SAA lapsed) | (TBD) | 2013-07-01 | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) | (TBD) |

## EU programs and organisations

* Eastern Partnership: 22 January 2007
* Energy Community: joined 15 December 2006
* European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity:
* Southeast Europe Transport Community: since establishment in 2017

## Public opinion

Montenegro's population is overwhelmingly pro-EU, with 76.2% being in favor according to polling and only 9.8% against, in October 2009.
As of May 2023, the support of the citizens of Montenegro for the country's membership in the European Union reached a record high of 79.3%, according to a survey commissioned by the EU Delegation to Montenegro. The survey reported 75.9% of citizens believe that Montenegro will become a member of the EU. Over 90% of citizens would vote in the referendum, and 81.1% of those voting would support Montenegro's membership in the EU.

## Negotiations and conditions

Montenegro signed an agreement with the Bulgarian government in December 2007 in which Bulgaria would assist Montenegro with its Euro-Atlantic and EU integration for the following three years. Reports at that time indicated Montenegro had ecological, judicial, and crime-related problems that may hinder its accession bid.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro has a special agency dedicated to accession to the EU, the Office for Assistance to the Chief Negotiator. The office's goal is to support the task of the Chief Negotiator for Montenegro's Accession to the EU, Zorka Kordić. On 27 July 2010, the Parliament passed a non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of discrimination. This was one of the requirements the country had to meet for EU membership.
In December 2011, the Council agreed to launch the accession process, with negotiations beginning on 29 June 2012.
The 2015 European Commission Progress Report on Montenegro noted that the country had made good progress toward meeting the benchmarks to join the EU, but the nation needed to address institutional frameworks, including competition policy, fighting against corruption and organized crime, and work in the areas of the environment and climate change. A 2015 study of the readiness to join the EU by using data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey collected from enterprise owners and management indicated that Montenegro passed three out of six business dimensions: basic infrastructure, goods delivery, and secure legal secure environment, but was lower than four other candidate nations in resources, technology support, and regulations.
In its 2016 assessment of the accession progress, the European Parliament identified Montenegro as having the highest level of preparation for membership among the negotiating candidate nations.
From 2014 through 2020, Montenegro received €279.1 million of developmental aid (not including the allocation for Cross-border Cooperation) from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries. The priority areas for these funds include: democracy and governance, rule of law and fundamental rights, environment and climate action, transport, competitiveness and innovation, education, employment and social policies, agriculture and rural development, regional and territorial cooperation.
With all the negotiating chapters opened as of 2021, Montenegro had widespread support among EU members' officials with possible accession to the EU considered by 2025.
There are twenty-seven open chapters, six have been provisionally closed, and two are in which there is nothing to adopt.

### Current chapter status tables

Clusters of negotiating chapters :
| Clusters | Acquis Chapter | Status | Status | Status |
| Overview | Overview | 33 out of 33 | 6 out of 6 | 0 out of 6 |
| Fundamentals | 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Economic criteria | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Functioning of democratic institutions | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | Public administration reform | – | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 5. Public Procurement | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 18. Statistics | Opened | Opened | – |
| Fundamentals | 32. Financial Control | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 1. Free Movement of Goods | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 4. Free Movement of Capital | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 6. Company Law | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 7. Intellectual Property Law | Closed | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 8. Competition Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 9. Financial Services | Opened | Opened | – |
| Internal Market | 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Opened | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 10. Information Society & Media | Closed | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 16. Taxation | Opened | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 19. Social Policy & Employment | Opened | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Closed | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 25. Science & Research | Closed | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 26. Education & Culture | Closed | Opened | – |
| Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 29. Customs Union | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 14. Transport Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 15. Energy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 21. Trans-European Networks | Opened | Opened | – |
| Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 27. Environment | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 13. Fisheries | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Opened | Opened | – |
| Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Opened | Opened | – |
| External relations | 30. External Relations | Closed | Opened | – |
| External relations | 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Opened | Opened | – |
| | 34. Institutions | – | – | – |
| | 35. Other Issues | – | – | – |
Screening and Chapter Dates :
| Progression | 33 / 33 100% complete | 33 / 33 100% complete | 33 / 33 100% complete | 6 / 33 18.2% complete |
| Acquis chapter | Screening Started | Screening Completed | Chapter Opened | Chapter Closed |
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | 2013-01-14 | 2013-03-06 | 2017-06-20 | – |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | 2013-05-13 | 2013-06-07 | 2017-12-11 | – |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | 2012-10-23 | 2012-11-30 | 2017-12-11 | – |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | 2013-01-18 | 2013-02-21 | 2014-06-24 | – |
| 5. Public Procurement | 2012-09-27 | 2012-11-19 | 2013-12-18 | – |
| 6. Company Law | 2012-10-02 | 2012-11-22 | 2013-12-18 | – |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | 2012-10-11 | 2012-11-21 | 2014-03-31 | 2024-12-16 |
| 8. Competition Policy | 2012-10-03 | 2012-12-04 | 2020-06-30 | – |
| 9. Financial Services | 2013-04-17 | 2013-06-11 | 2015-06-22 | – |
| 10. Information Society & Media | 2012-12-06 | 2013-01-22 | 2014-03-31 | 2024-12-16 |
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | 2012-11-06 | 2012-12-13 | 2016-12-13 | – |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | 2012-10-15 | 2013-02-01 | 2016-06-30 | – |
| 13. Fisheries | 2013-03-14 | 2013-06-06 | 2016-06-30 | – |
| 14. Transport Policy | 2013-04-22 | 2013-05-30 | 2015-12-21 | – |
| 15. Energy | 2013-02-27 | 2013-04-11 | 2015-12-21 | – |
| 16. Taxation | 2013-04-08 | 2013-04-30 | 2015-03-30 | – |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | 2013-01-10 | 2013-02-26 | 2018-06-25 | – |
| 18. Statistics | 2013-06-03 | 2013-06-25 | 2014-12-16 | – |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | 2013-01-23 | 2013-03-13 | 2016-12-13 | – |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | 2012-10-25 | 2012-11-28 | 2013-12-18 | 2024-12-16 |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | 2013-04-22 | 2013-05-30 | 2015-06-22 | – |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | 2012-11-14 | 2012-12-18 | 2017-06-20 | – |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | 2012-03-26 | 2012-05-31 | 2013-12-18 | – |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | 2012-03-28 | 2012-05-25 | 2013-12-18 | – |
| 25. Science & Research | 2012-09-24 | 2012-09-25 | 2012-12-18 | 2012-12-18 |
| 26. Education & Culture | 2012-09-26 | 2012-11-16 | 2013-04-15 | 2013-04-15 |
| 27. Environment & Climate Change | 2013-02-04 | 2013-03-22 | 2018-12-10 | – |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | 2013-02-19 | 2013-04-16 | 2014-12-16 | – |
| 29. Customs Union | 2013-05-23 | 2013-06-21 | 2014-12-16 | – |
| 30. External Relations | 2013-05-14 | 2013-06-12 | 2015-03-30 | 2017-06-20 |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | 2013-05-17 | 2013-06-27 | 2014-06-24 | – |
| 32. Financial Control | 2013-05-16 | 2013-06-19 | 2014-06-24 | – |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | 2013-05-15 | 2013-06-26 | 2014-12-16 | – |
| 34. Institutions | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35. Other Issues | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Report History :
| Acquis chapter | October 2011 | October 2012 | October 2013 | October 2014 | November 2015 | November 2016 | April 2018 | May 2019 | October 2020 | October 2021 | October 2022 | November 2023 | October 2024 |
| 1. Free Movement of Goods | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Considerable efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | Some level of preparation | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 5. Public Procurement | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 6. Company Law | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Well advanced$^‡$ |
| 8. Competition Policy | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 9. Financial Services | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 10. Information Society & Media | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation |
| 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 13. Fisheries | Further efforts needed | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 14. Transport Policy | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 15. Energy | Moderately prepared | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 16. Taxation | Further efforts needed | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Considerable efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 18. Statistics | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | Early stage | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Considerable efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | Further efforts needed | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Early stage | Considerable efforts needed | Early stage | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation$^†$ |
| 25. Science & Research | Moderately prepared | Further efforts needed | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 26. Education & Culture | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 27. Environment & Climate Change | Considerable efforts needed | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | No major difficulties expected | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 29. Customs Union | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 30. External Relations | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | No major difficulties expected | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Further efforts needed | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | No major difficulties expected | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 32. Financial Control | Some level of preparation | Early stage | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 34. Institutions | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt |
| 35. Other Issues | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt |
| Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | Legend: Chapters in bold indicate completed chapters. $^†$ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation". ‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "good level of preparation" AND "well advanced".  totally incompatible  early stage  considerable efforts needed  some level of preparation  further efforts needed  moderately prepared  no major difficulties expected  good level of preparation  well prepared / well advanced | |

## Economy
### Developmental Aid

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
IPA I €236 M (2007-2013)
IPA II €271 M (2014-2020)
IPA III c. €300 M (2021-2027)

### Unilateral euro adoption

Montenegro has no currency of its own. As a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia following World War II, and later of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro used the Yugoslav dinar as its official currency. In November 1999, the government of Montenegro unilaterally designated the Deutsche Mark as its co-official currency with the dinar, and on 1 January 2001 the dinar officially ceased to be a legal tender in Montenegro. When the euro was introduced and the Deutsche Mark yielded in 2002, Montenegro followed suit and began using the euro as well, with no objection from the European Central Bank (ECB).
The European Commission and the ECB have since voiced their discontent over Montenegro's unilateral use of the euro on several occasions. A statement attached to their Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU read: "unilateral introduction of the euro was not compatible with the Treaty." The EU insists on the strict adherence to convergence criteria (such as spending at least 2 years in the ERMII system) which are not negotiable before euro adoption, but have not intervened to stop the unilateral adoption of the euro by Montenegro in 2002. The issue is expected to be resolved through the negotiations process. The ECB has stated that the implications of unilateral euro adoption "would be spelled out at the latest in the event of possible negotiations on EU accession."
Diplomats have suggested that it is unlikely Montenegro will be forced to withdraw the euro from circulation in their country. Radoje Žugić, Montenegro's Minister of Finance, has stated that "it would be extremely economically irrational to return to our currency and then later to again go back to the euro." Instead, he hopes that Montenegro will be permitted to keep the euro and has promised "the government of Montenegro, will adopt some certain elements, which should fulfil the conditions for further use of the euro; such as adopting fiscal rules."

## Travel
### Schengen Visa liberalisation process

On 1 January 2008, the visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Montenegro and the EU entered into force. Montenegro was added to the list of visa exempt nationals on 19 December 2009, allowing their citizens to enter the Schengen Area and Cyprus without a visa when traveling with biometric passports. The visa liberalisation process does not include travels to Ireland which, with the United Kingdom which left the EU during Montenegro's accession process, operate the Common Travel Area for visas outside of the Schengen Area.
From May 2025 citizens of Montenegro will be required to register on the EU's ETIAS before entering the Schengen area.

## Montenegro's foreign relations with EU member states

| Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland | France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg | Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden |