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Montenegro

Montenegro applied for EU membership in December 2008 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2010. The EU-Montenegro accession negotiations started in June 2012. So far, all 33 negotiation chapters have been opened and 18 have been provisionally closed.

Enlargement

EU membership application

Montenegro's application for EU membership was submitted on 15 December 2008.

At its meeting on 23 April 2009, the Council asked the Commission to submit its opinion on Montenegro's application. In 2010, the Commission delivered a positive opinion on Montenegro’s application and at its meeting on 16-17 December 2010, the European Council agreed to give Montenegro candidate country status.

Accession negotiations

At its meeting on 26 June 2012, the Council decided to open accession negotiations with Montenegro. This decision was endorsed by the European Council in the days that followed.

Accession conference meetings

Accession negotiations take place at intergovernmental conferences (often called an 'accession conference') between ministers and ambassadors of the EU member states and a candidate. Negotiations cover the body of common rights and law (the 'EU acquis') and are divided into different chapters, or clusters of chapters, covering different policy fields. Accession conferences can be held at either ministerial or deputy level.

On 29 June 2012, the first ministerial-level meeting of the accession conference with Montenegro opened accession negotiations. Since then, 28 accession conference meetings have been held. So far, 33 chapters have been opened, of which 18 have been provisionally closed.

The latest meeting of the accession conference with Montenegro was held on 14 July 2026. At the meeting, the parties provisionally closed negotiations on two chapters:

  • chapter 8 (competition policy)
  • chapter 29 (customs union)

At the previous meeting, held on 15 June 2026, the parties provisionally closed negotiations on chapter 2 (freedom of movement for workers) and chapter 28 (consumer and health protection). Prior to that, the parties provisionally closed negotiations on:

  • chapter 21 (trans-European networks) on 17 March 2026
  • chapter 32 (financial control) on 26 January 2026
  • chapters 3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 4 (free movement of capital), 6 (company law), 11 (agriculture and rural development) and 13 (fisheries) on 16 December 2025

In May 2021, the Council agreed to apply the revised enlargement methodology to the accession negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia, with a view to reinvigorating the accession process, placing a stronger emphasis on fundamental reforms, and providing more political impetus.

Council ad hoc working party on drafting the accession treaty with Montenegro

On 22 April 2026, the Ad hoc Working Party on Drafting the Accession Treaty with Montenegro (AHWP DATM) was established, based on a decision by Coreper.

This working party is tasked with preparing Montenegro's EU accession treaty and related acts.

Stabilisation and association process

All Western Balkan partners have a 'stabilisation and association agreement', which sets the overall framework for their relationship with the EU. It runs in parallel to and is supportive of EU accession negotiations. Montenegro's stabilisation and association agreement has been ratified, and it entered into force on 1 May 2010.

EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council

To review the progress of EU-Montenegro relations under the stabilisation and association process, representatives from the EU and Montenegro meet in the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council.

At the latest (11th) EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council, which was held in Podgorica on 14 July 2022, ministers discussed Montenegro's accession strategy and reviewed the country's progress in its preparations for EU membership. They also exchanged views on recent developments in Montenegro and in the Western Balkans.

Annual progress review

Every year, the Council takes stock of progress made in each of the EU candidates and partners, including Montenegro, on their European path.

On 16 December 2025, the Danish Council presidency issued conclusions that were politically supported by 26 of the EU member states.

Border management cooperation 

To manage migratory flows, counter illegal immigration and tackle cross-border crime, the EU and Montenegro have an agreement on broader cooperation on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The agreement allows Frontex and Montenegro to conduct joint operations and for Frontex staff to carry out border checks and register persons.

The agreement with Montenegro has applied provisionally since 1 July 2023 and entered into force on 1 March 2025.

European peace facility

Under the European peace facility, an instrument aimed at preventing conflict and strengthening international security, the EU has adopted assistance measures worth €6 million to support Montenegro’s armed forces. The measures will help strengthen Montenegro’s capacities to participate in EU security and defence operations and provide equipment for:

  • real life support for extreme cold weather
  • biological, radiological and nuclear defence operations
  • helicopter-borne search and rescue units

In June 2022, the Council also adopted assistance measures to benefit the Balkan medical task force, which include procuring the necessary equipment and materiel for the medical units of Montenegro’s armed forces. The aim is to strengthen military medical capabilities and civilian relief efforts in the Western Balkans region.

See also

Topics

Last review: 28 July 2026