Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Central Bank (CBCG) has signed a licensing agreement with the European Payments Council (EPC), enabling the introduction of modern European rules and technical standards for instant payments in Montenegro. 

“With this agreement, Montenegro becomes the first country in the Western Balkans to secure the regulatory and technical framework for implementing instant payments in accordance with SEPA standards, under the TIPS Clone project,” the CBCG said in a press release.

The CBCG noted that this agreement marks the next important step following Montenegro’s accession to the SEPA payment area on 6 October 2025, advancing the modernization of the national payment infrastructure and full integration into the European payments market.

“The license allows CBCG to develop and manage a domestic instant payment scheme, creating conditions for faster, safer, and more accessible real-time payments, reducing payment transaction costs, and further strengthening financial integration with the European Union,” the press release reads.

The introduction of instant payments will allow citizens and businesses to execute payment transactions almost instantly, at any time, throughout the year. This will enhance the efficiency of payment operations, promote the digitalization of financial services, and increase the competitiveness of the domestic financial system.

The instant payments system project is being implemented according to the highest European standards, in partnership with the Bank of Italy, which is the technical provider of the TIPS service within the Eurosystem payment infrastructure,” the CBCG said.  

The establishment and further enhancement of the TIPS Clone platform will be fully aligned with the operational rules and functioning of TIPS, and the signed agreement is a necessary prerequisite for successful implementation.

“The application of the instant payments system, planned for 20 July 2026, represents another concrete step by CBCG toward building a modern, efficient, and interoperable payment system, aligned with the contemporary needs of citizens, businesses, and Montenegro’s European integration,” the press release concludes.