The Central Bank of Montenegro published an update on the first six months of Montenegro’s participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), reporting faster and cheaper cross-border euro payments and estimating more than EUR 3.8 million in savings for citizens and businesses. Over the period, 82,213 SEPA transactions were executed with a total value exceeding EUR 1.6 billion. Average fees for international transactions fell from EUR 73.4 for SWIFT payments in 2024 to EUR 6.21 for SEPA payments, a reduction of 92%. Electronic payment costs declined from EUR 53.3 to EUR 2.07 for citizens and from EUR 48.55 to EUR 6.62 for businesses, with payments of up to EUR 200 described as almost free of charge. The central bank estimates that full digitalisation and migration of transactions to SEPA electronic channels could lift savings to more than EUR 14.6 million annually, and it cited a February 2026 World Bank report ranking Montenegro as having the lowest cross-border payment costs towards the EU, including costs of around 0.04–0.05% for EUR 5,000 payments and below 0.01% for EUR 20,000 transfers. The central bank also flagged the planned launch of an instant payments system (TIPS Clone) on 20 July to further increase the speed and accessibility of payment services.
Central Bank of Montenegro 2026-04-21
Central Bank of Montenegro reports 1.6 billion euros of SEPA payments and 3.8 million euros of fee savings in first six months
The Central Bank of Montenegro reported that in the first six months of Montenegro’s participation in the Single Euro Payments Area, cross-border euro payments became faster and cheaper, generating estimated savings of more than EUR 3.8 million on 82,213 transactions worth over EUR 1.6 billion. Average international transaction fees fell by 92%, and the central bank estimates that full digitalisation and migration to SEPA electronic channels could raise annual savings to more than EUR 14.6 million. The central bank also highlighted the planned launch of an instant payments system (TIPS Clone) on 20 July to further improve payment speed and accessibility.