Digital transformation of Montenegro Post: parcel lockers and self-service terminals will be introduced in the country, and oversight of the postal market will be strengthened. These measures are предусмотрены under amendments to the Law on Postal Services, which the government plans to adopt in the fourth quarter of 2025 — a step aimed at modernizing the sector and fully aligning it with European standards.
The purpose of the law is tomodernize the postal sector,improve regulation,protect users’ rightsandcreate conditions for the development of new digital and electronic postal servicesin line with Europe-wide trends.
Alignment with European standards
As explained by the Ministry of Economic Development, the law shouldensure harmonization with Regulation (EU)2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery, which regulates issues of price transparency and service quality.
Work on aligning with this document has already begun through amendments to the Regulation on Data Provision by Postal Operators, adopted by the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Activity (EKIP) at the end of 2022.
New concepts and digitalization of postal services
One of the innovations will be the introduction of ER-mail — a registered electronic item that allows users to send and receive registered correspondence online with legally valid proof of dispatch and receipt. This measure represents an important step toward the digitalization of postal exchange and the adaptation of the system to the modern needs of citizens and businesses.
The draft law also clarifies the concept of postal money services, specifying that, in addition to traditional transfers, they are regulated by the Law on Payment Transactions.
In addition, commercial and supplementary postal services are described in detail — such as courier and express delivery, hybrid mail, and online shipment tracking.
Enhanced user protection and clear market rules
The law introduces new rules regardingtariff transparency: operators are required to publish their price listson official websitesand in branches, and to provide them to the Agency for public access.
Exact deadlines and procedures for filing complaints and claims regarding shipments have been established, which further protects users’ rights.
Particular attention is paid tothe responsibility of postal operators, includingobligations in the event of loss, damage, or delay of shipments. The law defines the procedure for compensation, limitation periods, and the conditions for exercising customers’ rights.
The role of the Agency and postal inspection oversight
The draft law expands the powers of the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Activity, which becomes an independent regulatory authority responsible for:
- issuing licenses,
- market supervision,
- service quality control,
- conducting inspection oversight.
Agency inspectors will receive clear powers to inspect the work of postal operators, monitor the quality of universal services, and analyze tariffs and the operating conditions of companies.
Parcel lockers and self-service terminals
The new draft law provides for the introduction of parcel lockers and self-service machines, which will make the delivery and acceptance of postal items more modern and efficient.
In addition, the universal postal operator will be obliged, upon request of state authorities, to provide data from the address database, while strictly complying with personal data protection legislation.A step toward integration into EU postal policyThe government notes that the adoption of this law will be another step for Montenegro toward full integration into the European Union’s postal regulatory framework. Citizens and businesses are expected to benefit from more modern, secure, and accessible postal services that meet European standards of quality and transparency.