Around 69% of Montenegrin companies expect European Union membership to have a positive or very positive impact on their business, but employers report significant gaps in institutional readiness and access to EU funding. A survey by the Montenegro Employers Federation found that only 10.1% of respondents considered public institutions mostly or very well prepared to support businesses through the accession process. Another 76.4% described institutional readiness as insufficient or only partial.
Limited Readiness for EU Funding
Private-sector readiness to absorb European funding received a score of just 43.3 out of 100. Only 17.4% of companies said they had successfully used an international or EU support programme, while 53.9% reported insufficient information about available funding opportunities. The funding gap is particularly significant for smaller companies, which may need to identify programmes, prepare applications, provide co-financing and meet reporting requirements with limited administrative resources.
Micro-enterprises scored 36.1 points on the EU-fund readiness index, compared with 69.6 points for large companies. Montenegro’s private sector is largely made up of smaller businesses operating in tourism, trade, construction, transport and services. Many have limited management teams and no dedicated personnel for funding applications, compliance or project management.
Businesses Call for Less Bureaucracy
Administrative simplification was the most frequently identified priority in the survey. Around 70.8% of companies called for less bureaucracy, while 64% requested greater support in accessing EU funds and 55.6% wanted clearer information about European regulations. EU accession will bring new market and funding opportunities alongside requirements covering competition, environmental protection, labour standards, product compliance, state aid and corporate reporting. Larger companies may have greater capacity to absorb those requirements, while smaller firms could face greater difficulties where investments in digitalisation, energy efficiency or product standards are required.
Financing Capacity Extends Beyond Grants
Montenegro already has access to international and EU-linked financing programmes supporting innovation, energy efficiency, agriculture, SME development and infrastructure, but utilisation can remain below available potential. The survey indicates that challenges increasingly concern information, project preparation and administrative support, rather than financing availability alone.
Companies seeking EU funding may need technical studies, procurement documentation, financial models and reporting systems, while many programmes also require businesses to provide part of the investment before grants are paid. The survey therefore identifies potential roles for advisory services, guarantee schemes and co-financing products, particularly for smaller companies. Banks, ministries, municipalities, chambers of commerce, employers’ organisations and financial institutions could also be involved in improving access and coordination.
Demand for EU Compliance Expertise
Montenegro’s accession process is expected to increase demand for consultants, engineers, accountants and legal advisers able to prepare EU-compatible projects and support regulatory compliance. The survey also highlights the importance of developing expertise within companies and public institutions rather than relying exclusively on external consultants. Only around one in ten companies considers public institutions well prepared to support businesses through accession, indicating continued demand for clearer coordination and guidance.
The government will need to provide information on regulatory changes, implementation timelines and financing programmes that can support businesses in adapting to EU requirements. With private-sector EU-fund readiness at 43.3 out of 100, the survey identifies a significant gap between companies’ expectations of EU membership and their current capacity to use European funding and meet accession-related requirements.
