Montenegro is tightening control over digital platforms, including Booking and Airbnb, as well as cryptocurrency income. The new amendments to the Tax Administration Law, open for public consultation until November 19, stipulate that all digital platform operators — Booking, Airbnb, and crypto-related services — will have to register in Montenegro.
In addition, property owners and private individuals, who rent out accommodation through online platforms or receive income from cryptocurrencies, will be required to declare their assets and income.
Tax transparency and automatic data exchange with the EU
The goal of the reform is to increase the transparency of the tax system, reduce the scale of tax evasion, and bring legislation into line with European Union directives. After Montenegro joins the EU, the country will begin the automatic exchange of information on digital platform users and cryptoasset owners with the tax authorities of member states.
The authorities emphasize that the mobility of capital, services, and goods has significantly complicated tax collection and created new opportunities for evasion. In this regard, Montenegro intends to actively participate in international initiatives, including the Global Forum on Tax Transparency and Automatic Exchange of Information.
Registration of Booking, Airbnb, and other platform operators
According to the draft law, all companies operating digital platforms for housing rentals, transport bookings, or the provision of other services will be required to register in Montenegro if they are not registered in one of the EU countries.
Such operators will have to:
- collect and store data on platform users and their transactions;
- provide tax authorities with information on commission amounts, withheld taxes, and the number of transactions;
- store all data for at least five years.