The World Bank on 25 March 2026 published a feature documenting Montenegro's first six months inside the Single Euro Payments Area, drawing on Central Bank of Montenegro data showing 82,213 SEPA transactions worth more than €1.6 billion executed since the country's October 2025 entry. The average fee on an international euro transfer fell from €73.40 under SWIFT in 2024 to €6.21 under SEPA - a 92% reduction - saving households and businesses an estimated €3.8 million in six months. For international buyers transacting in Tivat, Bay of Kotor, Luštica Bay or Porto Montenegro, the change materially lowers the friction on deposit wires, escrow movements, notary settlements and recurring HOA fees, and brings transfer timings down to near-instant. Watch for Serbia's parallel SEPA accession track and the planned Western Balkans instant-payment settlement service, both targeted for mid-2026.
Source: World Bank