The Council of the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) has adopted a comprehensive reform package aimed at delivering concrete benefits for citizens and businesses. The package includes three key decisions that will liberalize money movement, speed up domestic and international transactions, and introduce EU-level fees and standards.
The first decision caps SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) credit transfer fees starting October 6, 2025. Banks will not be allowed to charge more than:
- €0.02 for the first daily transfer up to €200 by individuals
- €1.99 for electronic transactions up to €20,000
- €25 for electronic transactions over €20,000
- €3.99 for in-branch payments up to €20,000
- €50 for in-branch payments over €20,000
- Receiving SEPA transfers will cost a maximum of €1.99 for amounts up to €20,000, and up to €25 for higher amounts
These changes are expected to save citizens and businesses €13.9 million annually, with projected savings exceeding €50 million by the time Montenegro joins the EU.
The second decision extends the operating hours of Montenegro’s payment systems from August 18, 2025. RTGS (for transactions over €1,000) will operate until 20:00, and DNS (for under €1,000) until 19:30, with six clearing cycles per day. Weekend operation will start in mid-October 2025, and full 24/7 availability will begin in July 2026 with the launch of the TIPS Clone platform.
The third decision eliminates the 30% surcharge for CBCG payment transactions after 14:00 and introduces a flat, lower fee for the entire operational day (08:00–20:00), ensuring fair and transparent pricing.
CBCG Governor Irena Radović stated that Montenegro is integrating European standards now, without waiting for EU accession, and emphasized that these reforms support economic development by improving access to the European payments market.
The reforms demonstrate CBCG’s commitment to building a modern, transparent, and inclusive payment system aligned with best EU practices.
