Montenegro is expected to provisionally close two important negotiating chapters related to competition policy and the customs union at the EU–Montenegro Accession Conference in Brussels on 14 July 2026. The planned closure of Chapter 8 and Chapter 29 would increase the number of provisionally closed chapters in Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations from 16 to 18 out of 33.
The move would represent further progress in Montenegro’s integration with the European single market and strengthen its position as the most advanced EU candidate country in the Western Balkans. The European Commission has also started preparatory activities related to a future accession treaty, although membership remains dependent on the completion of reforms and unanimous approval by EU member states.
Competition rules and state aid under closer scrutiny
Chapter 8 on competition policy covers key areas including antitrust enforcement, merger control, dominant market positions and state aid regulation. Its provisional closure indicates that Montenegro has brought a significant part of its competition legislation closer to EU standards. The next phase will focus on practical implementation, with investors monitoring the work of the Agency for Protection of Competition, courts and state institutions. The application of competition rules will include public enterprises, companies with political connections and foreign investors.
The state-aid framework is particularly important due to the role of publicly controlled companies in Montenegro’s economy. Entities including EPCG, Airports of Montenegro, Montenegro Bonus, Railway Infrastructure and the Port of Bar remain significant economic actors. Future subsidies, state guarantees, tax incentives and public recapitalisations will face stricter assessment under EU-compatible market criteria.
Customs system to align with EU framework
Chapter 29 on the customs union will bring Montenegro’s customs procedures closer to the EU common tariff system and related information platforms. Following EU accession, Montenegro will apply the Union’s common customs rules to goods arriving from outside the bloc, including imports from China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other major trading partners. The transition will require adjustments in customs revenue management, import procedures and border-control systems.
Companies engaged in international trade will need stronger systems for product classification, origin documentation and supply-chain records. Importers dependent on non-EU goods may face changes in tariffs and compliance requirements, while exporters are expected to benefit from closer integration with EU logistics and customs systems.
Accession progress increases implementation requirements
The planned closure of the two chapters would raise the number of Montenegro’s provisionally closed negotiating chapters to 18, while increasing expectations for effective implementation of EU-related rules. Competition enforcement, state-aid discipline and customs digitalisation will become increasingly important factors affecting companies, public-sector financing and strategic investments as Montenegro continues its accession process.
