MONTENEGRO Law and Practice Contributed by: Milan Keker, Aleksandra Bujkovic, Ivan Pejovic and Iva Rolovic, Keker, Bujkovic & Pejovic
Regulatory developments have also influenced market activity. In particular, the Law on the Legalisation of Illegally Constructed Structures entered into force in 2025, introducing a framework to regularise a large number of existing structures and improve legal cer - tainty in the property market. Foreign buyer dynamics have also shifted somewhat during the period. Montenegro temporarily suspended the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens in late 2025, later reinstating it with a significantly shorter permit - ted stay. Together with stricter migration rules, these measures have reduced the ease of relocation for some foreign buyers and may contribute to a gradual adjustment in demand from that segment of the mar - ket. Finally, technological trends such as blockchain, tokenisation or DeFi financing have so far had limited practical impact on Montenegro’s real estate sector. Traditional bank lending and foreign equity investment remain the dominant sources of financing, while devel - opers continue to focus primarily on tourism-oriented residential projects rather than office conversions. 1.3 Proposals for Reform There are several legislative and institutional reforms currently underway in Montenegro – many of which are linked to the country’s EU accession process. One of the most important developments is the Law on the Legalisation of Illegally Constructed Structures, which entered into force in 2025. The law establishes a framework for the legalisation of a large number of existing structures that were built without proper permits, while introducing stricter measures aimed at preventing new illegal construction. The reform is expected to gradually improve legal certainty in the real estate market by enabling previously informal buildings to be registered in the cadastre and lawfully transferred. Montenegro is also continuing broader regulatory reforms linked to its EU accession process, including measures aimed at improving legal certainty, transpar - ency and administrative efficiency in the property and land administration system.
In parallel, the authorities are also implementing reforms aimed at modernising the cadastre and land administration system through the further development of the electronic cadastre (“e-cadastre”). The reform includes updating land registry data and expanding online services provided by the Real Estate Adminis - tration. While some improvements were planned by the end of 2025, the full transition to a comprehensive digital cadastre covering all real property records in Montenegro is expected to be completed by 2027. Another important regulatory development is the Law on Brokerage in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate, adopted in 2025, which introduces licensing require - ments, professional standards and stricter oversight of real estate agents. The law is expected to enter into force in 2026 and aims to increase transparency and professionalism in the real estate brokerage sector. As prescribed by the Law on Property Relations, the following categories of property rights can be acquired: ownership rights (including co-ownership and joint ownership), easements (in rem and person - al), liens (right of pledge/mortgage), fiduciary owner - ship and possession. 2.2 Laws Applicable to Transfer of Title The transfer of title to real estate in Montenegro is primarily governed by several key laws. The Law on Property Relations: • regulates ownership rights and other real rights (eg, usufruct, servitudes); • covers acquisition, transfer, protection and termi - nation of those rights; and • sets out modes of acquiring ownership: contract, inheritance, law, court decision, etc. 2. Sale and Purchase 2.1 Categories of Property Rights The Law on State Survey and Real Estate Cadastre: • governs registration of real estate rights in the real estate cadastre; and
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