New payment terms for property purchases in Montenegro in 2026: What buyers need to know

main change is that
all real estate transactions worth over 10,000 euros must be conducted through a Montenegrin bank account with mandatory confirmation of payment for a notary.

Bycantly change the procedure for conducting settlements in transactions with apartments, houses, land plots, and commercial real estate.

The changes were officially published on May 4, 2026, in the Službeni list Crne Gore No. 59/2026, as part of the amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.

Now, almost all real estate transactions worth more than 10,000 euros must be conducted through a Montenegrin bank account.

What has changed since May 2026

The main change is that payments for real estate transactions worth more than 10,000 euros must now be made:

• from a Montenegrin bank account
  or
• to a Montenegrin bank account

This means that the use of cash payments or transfers without the involvement of a Montenegrin bank account becomes impossible for most real estate transactions.

The new requirements apply to:

• apartments
• houses
• land plots
• commercial real estate
• transactions between individuals and legal entities What the notary is now required to check

According to the changes in the legislation, the notary can no longer certify a contract based solely on the parties' statement that the payment has already been made.

If the payment was made before the contract was signed, the notary needs to provide official proof of payment:

• bank statements
• SWIFT confirmations
• documents on the transfer of funds
• confirmation of the receipt of money to the seller's account

Without these documents, the notary certification of the transaction may not be possible.

Why were the new rules introduced

The changes are related to the strengthening of control over:

• the origin of funds
• financial transactions
• combating money laundering
• transparency of real estate transactions

Montenegro is gradually adapting its financial legislation to European standards and requirements of international organizations.

What does this mean for foreign buyers

For real estate buyers, the new rules mean that they must prepare the following documents before the transaction:

• a bank account in Montenegro
• documents proving the origin of funds
• proof of transfers
• financial documents for the bank and notary

This is especially important for foreign citizens who transfer funds from abroad.

Is it now necessary to open an account in Montenegro

In most cases, yes.

After the changes came into force, the purchase of real estate worth more than 10,000 euros actually requires an account in a Montenegrin bank.

This account is usually used for:

• paying for the property
• making payments between the parties
• confirming the origin of the money
• further utility and tax payments What documents may the bank request

When opening an account and transferring funds, Montenegrin banks may request:

• passport
• proof of residential address
• purchase contract
• preliminary contract
• proof of origin of funds
• tax documents
• account statements

In some cases, additional banking verification of the client is carried out.

What is important for buyers from Russia and the CIS countries

After the changes in 2026, the following became especially important:

• the legality of the origin of funds
• the transparency of international transfers
• the correct execution of documents

It is recommended that buyers agree on the payment scheme in advance:

• with the bank
• with the notary
• with the real estate agency

This allows you to avoid delays in the transaction.

Is it possible to pay for real estate in cash?

For transactions exceeding 10,000 euros, a mandatory cashless format of payments through Montenegrin banks is actually introduced.

Even if part of the amount is transferred before the contract is signed, the notary is required to obtain official confirmation of payment.

A simple written statement from the parties is no longer sufficient.

When the changes came into force

The amendments were published:

• On May 4, 2026
• in Službeni list Crne Gore No. 59/2026

The changes come into force 8 days after the official publication.

How to buy a property now

In 2026, the standard scheme of the transaction is as follows:

1. Opening an account in Montenegro

The buyer opens a bank account in a local bank.

2. Preparing documents

The following are checked:

• the property
• the seller's documents
• the origin of the funds

1. Bank transfer

The payment is made through the banking system.

4. Confirmation of payment to the notary

The notary receives official bank confirmations.

5. Certification of the contract

After the documents are checked, the contract is notarized.

Why is this important for the real estate market

The new rules make the Montenegrin real estate market more transparent and secure for buyers.

This reduces the risks of:

• fraud
• double sales
• opaque settlements
• problems with payment confirmation

For foreign investors, this also means a higher level of transaction protection.

Bottom line

As of May 2026, the purchase of real estate in Montenegro officially enters a new level of financial control.

The main change is that
all real estate transactions worth over 10,000 euros must be conducted through a Montenegrin bank account with mandatory confirmation of payment for a notary.

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