On 30 April 2026, the President of Montenegro signed the decree promulgating amendments to the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.
The law was adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro on 27 April 2026. The next key step is publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. After publication, the law should enter into force on the eighth day.
The most important change for the real estate market concerns payments under legal transactions by which ownership or another real right over real estate is acquired.
Under the new rules, for real estate transactions exceeding €10,000, payment must be made through a bank account in Montenegro — both for the payer and for the recipient of funds.
A separate important rule applies when the price, advance payment or part of the price has been paid before notarisation of the legal transaction. In that case, the notary must obtain documentary evidence that the payment transaction was actually completed.
A statement by the parties that the payment has been made is not sufficient.
In practice, this means that the buyer and the seller should agree in advance on the banking payment method, properly define the payment mechanism in the contract, prepare bank confirmations and allow enough time for the transfer of funds.
This is particularly important for non-residents, cross-border payments, advance payments, instalments and escrow arrangements.
The signed amendments should be checked in the Parliament of Montenegro’s legislative database under EPA 948 XXVIII / act no. 04-3/26-1, and, after official publication, in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.
The law was adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro on 27 April 2026. The next key step is publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. After publication, the law should enter into force on the eighth day.
The most important change for the real estate market concerns payments under legal transactions by which ownership or another real right over real estate is acquired.
Under the new rules, for real estate transactions exceeding €10,000, payment must be made through a bank account in Montenegro — both for the payer and for the recipient of funds.
A separate important rule applies when the price, advance payment or part of the price has been paid before notarisation of the legal transaction. In that case, the notary must obtain documentary evidence that the payment transaction was actually completed.
A statement by the parties that the payment has been made is not sufficient.
In practice, this means that the buyer and the seller should agree in advance on the banking payment method, properly define the payment mechanism in the contract, prepare bank confirmations and allow enough time for the transfer of funds.
This is particularly important for non-residents, cross-border payments, advance payments, instalments and escrow arrangements.
The signed amendments should be checked in the Parliament of Montenegro’s legislative database under EPA 948 XXVIII / act no. 04-3/26-1, and, after official publication, in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.