Lost in translation: Montenegro's EU accession faces a language barrier

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Language barrier threatens Montenegro's 2028 EU accession goal

   Montenegro aims to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028, but officials fear the country cannot translate tens of thousands of EU legal acts into Montenegrin in time. The European Commission is weighing contingency plans and temporary exemptions to prevent this translation bottleneck from delaying entry. One primary option involves allowing Podgorica to temporarily use an existing official EU language, with Croatian identified as the most likely choice to fill the gaps in the legal acquis.

   Why it matters

   Accession requires the full adoption and translation of the EU acquis. While 70% of Montenegrins support membership, the technical scale of translating the entire body of law is proving a major hurdle.

   What is confirmed

   • Montenegro aims to join the European Union as its 28th member by 2028.
   • The European Commission is considering temporary exemptions or derogations if Montenegro cannot translate all EU laws before accession.
   • Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU believes in Montenegro becoming the 28th member by 2028.
   • Croatian is the most obvious existing EU language for Montenegro to use as a temporary substitute.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Podgorica insists it has invested significant resources and will meet the translation deadlines.
   • Several more chapters are expected to be closed by mid-October.

   What to watch next

   • Official European Commission decision on the use of Croatian as a derogation
   • Confirmation of the number of closed chapters by mid-October
   • Updated timelines for the translation of the EU acquis into Montenegrin
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. Euronews.com — Lost in translation: Montenegro's EU accession faces a language barrier
   2. dw.com — Germany expresses optimism over Montenegro's EU ambitions
   3. politico.eu — ‘We have not delivered’: Germany’s Wadephul criticizes slow EU enlargement progress
   4. EUobserver — [Interview] 70% of Montenegro supports EU membership – so will it happen in 2028? We ask lead MEP Marjan Šarec
   5. vijesti.me — Kos: We expect several more chapters to be closed by mid-October
   6. Kosovo Online — Ibrahimovic: The region's European perspective is not just a political process, it is about the future
   7. connectingregion.com — Montenegro and German Bundestag Officials Discuss European Future
   8. European Commission — Statement by the President with Prime Minister of Montenegro Spajić
   9. European Western Balkans — Ursula von der Leyen: We believe in Montenegro ’28 by 28’
   10. Eunews — Montenegro in final stretch on path to EU; aims to become “28th member by ’28”
   11. gov.me — Von der Leyen to Spajić: We believe in Montenegro as the EU’s 28th member by 2028
   12. Слободен печат — Brussels believes Montenegro can become an EU member by 2028
   confidence 90%