All licensed banks in Montenegro have successfully applied for access to the SEPA system and received approval from the European Payments Council (EPC), according to the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG).
On June 13, all Montenegrin banks will be officially listed in the EPC register for the SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) scheme. Starting October 6, when the new SEPA rulebook comes into effect, Montenegro’s entire financial market will become fully integrated into the Single Euro Payments Area.
From that point, all non-cash euro payments between Montenegro and SEPA countries will follow the same rules, timelines, and fees as domestic payments within the EU. This will lead to faster, safer, and cheaper transactions for individuals, businesses, and the public sector.
This development confirms Montenegro’s technical, regulatory, and institutional readiness for full EU financial integration. SEPA membership is seen as a crucial step toward joining the EU single market and strengthening trust in the country’s financial system.
Montenegro officially became part of the SEPA geographical area in November 2024, allowing its financial sector to begin the accession process to SEPA payment schemes through technical and regulatory alignment and formal application to the EPC.
