Two economists warn that Montenegro’s planned Euro model could widen the budget deficit and undermine the pension system by abolishing contributions. The government has adopted six laws for measures scheduled to take effect next year.

Montenegro has drawn 89.3 million euros of the 383.5 million euros available to it under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. It expects about 97.3 million euros more for reported reforms, subject to a European Commission assessment.

Montenegro expects about 17,200 of the 25,000 lambs reported as surplus to remain unpurchased this year as demand weakens. The shortfall leaves farmers facing losses as winter approaches.

Montenegro ranks ninth among 34 European countries for the share of residents living in households where housing costs exceed 40% of disposable income. The figure was 8.7% in 2024, one percentage point above the European Union average.

Montenegro’s state budget revenue rose 10.3% to 2,318.5 million euros in the first nine months of 2026. Capital expenditure increased 48.4%, while the 124.2 million euro deficit was 56.9 million euros below plan.

Montenegro’s partnership with Masdar includes a target to develop up to 2 gigawatts of renewable capacity, but announced projects are not yet proof of completed investment or public returns. Production, jobs, financing and revenue data will be needed to assess the partnership’s economic impact.

Analyst Predrag Zečević says municipalities could use unspent capital-budget funds carried over from previous years to cover money needed for the Euro model. He also proposes annual state subsidies for vulnerable small and medium-sized businesses.

Dragan Bokan now holds 91.48% of Montenegro’s Voli Trade, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development owns 8.52%, after the company’s 7.85% own stake was removed from its ownership structure. The available figures do not show that either shareholder bought additional shares or injected new capital.