Timeline
This country's accession timeline, newest first. Each item links to its primary source. We summarise in our own words and never republish article text.
Data verified as of 7 Aug 2026
- Milestone
Two more chapters provisionally closed — 18 of 33
At the 28th Accession Conference (14 July 2026) the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 8 (competition policy) and Chapter 29 (customs union), bringing the total to 18 of 33.
- Milestone
Commission presents financial package for Montenegro’s accession
On 30 June 2026 the European Commission adopted a Communication to the Council on the financial package for Montenegro’s accession (Chapter 33, financial and budgetary provisions), covering Montenegro’s participation in the EU budget as beneficiary and contributor. This is a Commission step toward closing Chapter 33, which is not yet closed.
- Position
Government target: EU membership by 2028
Montenegro’s government aims to become the EU’s next member by 2028. Stored as an attributed political target, not a confirmed date.
- Milestone
Two more chapters provisionally closed — 16 of 33
At the 27th Accession Conference (15 June 2026) the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 2 (free movement of workers) and Chapter 28 (consumer and health protection), bringing the total to 16 of 33.
- Milestone
EU–Western Balkans Summit hosted in Tivat, Montenegro
Montenegro hosted the EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat on 5 June 2026. European Council President Costa: “For the first time since 2013, we are really counting down to the next enlargement.” A reinforcing EU-readiness signal, not a new chapter or date.
- Milestone
EU begins drafting Montenegro’s accession treaty
EU ambassadors agreed to set up the body to draft Montenegro’s accession treaty — the first time since 2013 the EU has started this step for a candidate.
- Milestone
Chapter 21 (trans-European networks) closed — 14 of 33
At the 26th Accession Conference the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 21 on trans-European networks, less than two months after the previous closure, bringing the total to 14 of 33.
- Milestone
Chapter 32 (financial control) provisionally closed — 13 of 33
At the 25th Accession Conference the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed Chapter 32 on financial control, bringing the total to 13 of 33.
- Milestone
Five chapters provisionally closed in one day — 12 of 33
At the 24th Accession Conference the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed Chapters 3 (right of establishment and services), 4 (free movement of capital), 6 (company law), 11 (agriculture) and 13 (fisheries) — the largest single-day advance of the negotiations, bringing the total to 12 of 33.
- Position
EC 2025 assessment: on track to conclude talks by end-2026
In the 2025 Enlargement Package the Commission assessed that, subject to maintaining the pace of reforms, Montenegro is on track to meet its objective of closing accession negotiations by the end of 2026.
- Position
2024 Enlargement Package: way cleared to close chapters
The Commission's 2024 Enlargement Package recorded that Montenegro overall met the interim benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24, opening the way to provisionally close further chapters if conditions are met, while noting further progress is needed in the rule of law and judiciary.
- Milestone
Rule-of-law interim benchmarks met — positive IBAR
At the 16th Accession Conference the EU confirmed Montenegro had overall met the interim benchmarks for rule-of-law Chapters 23 and 24 — the assessment that unlocked the closing phase of the negotiations and set the benchmarks for provisionally closing those two chapters.
- Milestone
Accession negotiations open
The first Intergovernmental Conference opened accession negotiations with Montenegro.
- Milestone
EU grants Montenegro candidate status
The European Council granted Montenegro candidate-country status.
- Milestone
Montenegro applies for EU membership
Montenegro formally applied to join the European Union.