Montenegro has advanced plans to include more than half of its land territory in the European Union’s Natura 2000 ecological network, introducing new environmental assessment requirements for future investment projects in tourism, energy, transport, agriculture and other sectors.
The government adopted the proposed network on June 26, 2026, following years of field research, habitat mapping and institutional work supported by the European Union. The Environmental Protection Agency submitted the proposal to the European Commission through the European Environment Agency’s Reportnet 3 system in early July.
Natura 2000 Proposal Covers More Than Half of Montenegro’s Land Area
The proposed network covers 44.15 per cent of Montenegro’s combined terrestrial and marine territory, including 50.97 per cent of the country’s land area and 7.06 per cent of its marine territory. The proposal identifies 58 potential Sites of Community Importance, 32 Special Protection Areas for birds, and seven marine sites.
Terrestrial habitat sites cover approximately 5,220 square kilometres, representing nearly 38 per cent of Montenegro’s land territory, while proposed bird-protection areas cover around 5,104 square kilometres, or almost 37 per cent of the country’s land area. The two categories overlap significantly, meaning they cannot be added together. Their combined coverage results in the figure of slightly more than half of Montenegro’s land territory. The expansion represents a significant increase compared with the previous national protected-area coverage of approximately 15–16 per cent.
Environmental Assessment Becomes Key Factor for New Projects
The Natura 2000 designation does not create a general ban on construction or economic activity. The framework allows tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and business activities where they are compatible with conservation objectives. The main requirement is that developers demonstrate that their projects will not negatively affect protected habitats and species.
For investors, this changes the role of environmental assessment. Instead of being a late-stage permitting document, biodiversity analysis will increasingly become an early factor determining whether projects can obtain approvals and financing. The legal framework is based on Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive, which requires assessment of projects that may significantly affect Natura 2000 sites. If potential impacts cannot be excluded, projects must undergo an appropriate assessment examining effects on specific conservation objectives. The assessment must consider not only individual projects but also their cumulative impact together with existing, approved or foreseeable developments.
Tourism, Energy and Infrastructure Projects Face New Requirements
The sectors expected to experience the strongest impact include tourism, renewable energy, transport, mining, forestry and spatial planning. These sectors are also among Montenegro’s key areas for attracting domestic and foreign investment.
Tourism projects will require assessment of their broader environmental footprint, including:
- access roads;
- parking facilities;
- wastewater systems;
- water supply;
- electricity connections;
- marinas;
- lighting;
- related development pressure.
Mountain tourism developments may also require analysis of ski lifts, artificial snow systems, water extraction, slope modifications and wildlife corridor fragmentation. Protected landscapes can continue to support economic activity, but projects must demonstrate compatibility with ecological objectives.
Renewable Energy Projects Require Biodiversity Reviews
Montenegro’s plans to expand renewable energy capacity will also be affected by Natura 2000 requirements. The designation does not prevent renewable investments, but low-carbon projects remain subject to biodiversity rules.
Wind projects may require analysis of:
- bird and bat movements;
- migration routes;
- nesting areas;
- collision risks;
- access roads;
- transmission connections.
Solar projects may affect grasslands, wetlands and habitats of ground-nesting birds, while hydropower projects may influence river flows, sediment transport, fish movement and downstream ecosystems. Transmission infrastructure may also require assessment if it affects protected species or migration corridors outside designated areas.
EPCG Kapino Polje Solar Project Highlights Assessment Challenges
The complexity of future assessments is illustrated by EPCG’s Kapino Polje solar programme. The first planned facility, Kapino Polje B1, has a planned capacity of 11.4 MWp, expected first-year production of approximately 15.8 GWh, and a development area of around 16 hectares. The project is part of a broader four-project solar programme valued at approximately €35.1 million. The specific B1 location received environmental approval and was not identified as a formal Natura 2000 special-protection area.
Environmental organisations raised concerns regarding the ecological importance of the wider Nikšićko polje landscape, particularly its wetlands and bird habitats. The case demonstrates that future assessments will depend not only on whether a project overlaps with a protected area, but also on ecological baseline data, landscape connections and cumulative effects.
Lenders May Introduce Additional Biodiversity Requirements
International financial institutions are expected to apply their own environmental standards alongside Montenegrin regulations. The policies of institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) require borrowers to identify and manage risks related to biodiversity, natural habitats and ecosystem services.
Projects may therefore require:
- seasonal biodiversity surveys;
- alternative-site analysis;
- cumulative-impact modelling;
- independent expert reviews;
- biodiversity action plans;
- long-term monitoring.
Environmental obligations may also become linked to financing conditions, with lenders requiring permits and mitigation measures to remain valid throughout project implementation.
Natura 2000 Could Affect Land Values and Project Planning
The expanded network may influence land values across Montenegro. Areas unsuitable for intensive construction due to conservation requirements could lose speculative value, while degraded locations and sites suitable for low-impact tourism, organic agriculture, traditional livestock production and restoration projects could gain importance. The designation does not automatically remove ownership rights or result in land expropriation.
Instead, activities will be regulated according to their environmental effects. Existing land uses may continue in some locations, while construction, forestry, drainage, cultivation or resource extraction may require adjustments.
Montenegro Allocates EU Support for Network Establishment
The government has indicated that approximately €2.3 million in initial financing has been allocated through EU pre-accession assistance for establishing the Natura 2000 network. The funds are intended to support mapping, institutional preparation and management development. Long-term implementation will require additional resources for monitoring, restoration, enforcement and compensation mechanisms. Across the European Union, the estimated annual cost of maintaining, restoring and managing Natura 2000 and related green infrastructure is around €10.2 billion.
Administrative Capacity Remains a Key Requirement
Montenegro will need to strengthen environmental administration, inspection services and protected-area management systems. The government has acknowledged staff shortages in environmental institutions and the need for stronger implementation capacity.
A package of measures is expected to include a new Law on Nature Protection, implementing regulations, changes to national park legislation and revised protected-area studies. Until site-specific conservation objectives and management arrangements are completed, investors may face uncertainty regarding permitted activities and acceptable mitigation measures.
Companies Expected to Include Natura 2000 Reviews in Early Planning
The European Commission will assess whether Montenegro’s proposed sites adequately represent habitats and species protected under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Scientific reviews may identify additional requirements, including possible adjustments to boundaries or additional data. Formal integration into the EU Natura 2000 network is linked to Montenegro’s accession process, but the country is expected to apply the underlying protections through domestic planning and legal systems before membership.
Companies preparing projects in Montenegro will increasingly need to include Natura 2000 assessments during early investment screening. Reviews will need to consider project locations, access infrastructure, utility connections, water resources, waste management, construction logistics and possible indirect impacts.
Existing permits may also require reassessment if projects change, permits are renewed or new scientific information becomes available. The implementation of Natura 2000 will require future investments in Montenegro to incorporate biodiversity considerations into site selection, engineering decisions and financing structures from the beginning of project development.
