Montenegro’s state budget recorded more than €10.4 million in enforced collections during the second quarter of 2026, with several ministries and public institutions accounting for the largest amounts, according to figures highlighted by the Protector of Property and Legal Interests of Montenegro. The Ministry of Social Welfare had the highest amount, at approximately €2.47 million, largely involving unpaid contractual obligations to state-owned postal operator Pošta Crne Gore for the distribution of social benefits.
The Ministry of the Interior accounted for around €1.39 million, while the Ministry of Spatial Planning faced approximately €1.38 million in enforced payments. The Tax Administration recorded about €1.16 million, followed by the Judicial Council, with another €1.12 million.
The Protector of Property and Legal Interests warned that public institutions continue to leave obligations unpaid, allowing enforceable court decisions to proceed to compulsory collection. These procedures can increase the cost to the state beyond the original debt. Delayed settlements may result in additional interest, court expenses and enforcement fees, placing a further burden on public finances. The payment delays also affect private-sector suppliers working under contracts with state institutions. Predictable settlement schedules are particularly important for smaller contractors, which often have limited working capital and depend on timely payments to meet their own financial obligations.
Repeated delays can increase suppliers’ financing costs and reduce the attractiveness of public-sector contracts, even when the state remains creditworthy. The issue has implications for Montenegro’s expanding capital-investment programme and its growing pipeline of projects supported by the European Union and international financial institutions (IFIs). Procurement procedures and project preparation alone cannot ensure efficient investment if public institutions fail to meet their contractual obligations on time.
The more than €10.4 million in enforced collections highlights a fiscal-management risk extending beyond the initial allocation of public funds. Expenditure control also depends on institutions meeting their obligations after contracts have been awarded and invoices issued. Stronger payment discipline could limit avoidable budget costs while improving the state’s reliability as a commercial counterparty to companies supplying goods and services to public institutions.
