Digital transformation of Montenegro’s postal service: 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 as part of 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 to modernize the postal sector, to improve regulation, to protect users’ rights and to create conditions for the development of new digital and electronic postal services in line with Europe-wide trends.
“It is expected that the adoption of the law will additionally ensure the availability of universal postal services and increase the competitiveness of the market,” the government says.
Alignment with European standards
As the Ministry of Economic Development explains, the law should ensure 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 the provision of data 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 via the internet with legally valid confirmation of sending 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 concerning tariff transparency: operators are required to publish their price lists on official websites and in branches, as well as 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 to the responsibility of postal operators, including obligations in the event of loss, damage, or delay of shipments. The law defines the procedure for compensation for damages, limitation periods, and the conditions for exercising customers’ rights.
The role of the Agency and postal inspection supervision
The draft law expands the powers of the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Activity, which becomes an independent regulatory body 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 policy
The government notes that the adoption of this law will be another step for Montenegro on the path to full integration into the European Union’s postal regulatory space. Citizens and businesses, it is expected, will be able to count on more modern, secure, and accessible postal services that meet European standards of quality and transparency.