Montenegro's Prime Minister Confirms Ambition for EU Membership by 2028

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has unequivocally reaffirmed his nation's firm commitment to achieving full membership in the European Union, setting an ambitious target of becoming the 28th member state by the year 2028. During a recent discussion with Euronews, Spajić expressed his conviction that Montenegro is already operating as a de facto EU member, despite not yet reaping the associated benefits. This targeted date of 2028 aligns closely with projections previously put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her visit to Tivat, where she acknowledged the accelerated pace of reforms in the country. The Prime Minister stressed that there is no alternative path considered; EU accession remains the singular strategic objective for the nation.

This strong political momentum is being bolstered by concrete actions, particularly in the realm of financial integration, which is crucial for meeting the stringent Copenhagen criteria. A significant milestone is the planned official operational integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) scheduled for October 6, 2025. This transition signifies a complete shift to SEPA-compliant payment schemes. The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) is coordinating this integration, which will ensure that all non-cash transactions conducted in euros between Montenegro and EU nations adhere to unified rules, thereby facilitating quicker and more cost-effective transfers. Estimates suggest that modernizing the financial infrastructure through SEPA integration could yield a cumulative annual economic benefit for Montenegro reaching up to one hundred sixty million euros, equating to approximately 2.3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product.

Further tangible benefits are anticipated in 2026 with the introduction of free mobile roaming services between Montenegro and the EU, a welcome development for the country's more than 620,000 citizens. Spajić’s statements were made in the context of the EU Enlargement Forum held in Brussels in November 2025, where he reiterated the dedication to fulfilling all necessary accession criteria, placing particular emphasis on reforms related to the rule of law. The European Commission, in its November 2025 enlargement package, confirmed that Montenegro is indeed moving in the right direction to meet the 2028 goal. Montenegro is currently recognized as the most advanced among the EU candidate countries regarding reforms, encompassing constitutional and judicial overhauls.

Significantly, Montenegro has successfully closed six negotiating chapters, which represents the highest number among all current candidate nations. The closure of a chapter signifies that the country has successfully addressed the requirements for that specific policy area and secured the EU’s agreement, thus moving closer to full integration status.

The Prime Minister voiced his aspiration to conclude accession negotiations by the close of 2026, aiming to finalize the closure of all chapters by that deadline. However, analysts and representatives from the European Parliament, including Marijan Šarec, caution that maintaining the current reform tempo is essential to realize this ambition. They highlight the need for sustained focus on critical areas such as media freedom, electoral legislation, and the vigorous fight against corruption and organized crime. Although Montenegro unilaterally adopted the euro as its de facto currency back in 2002, the forthcoming full integration into Europe’s payment infrastructure via SEPA will finally eliminate the fragmented and costly transaction channels that have persisted for over two decades.

The combination of demonstrable economic advantages and the political consensus—shared by both the ruling coalition and the opposition regarding the European trajectory—lays a solid foundation for achieving the status of the 28th EU member by 2028, provided that all remaining requirements are met consistently and without faltering.