Montenegro moves closer to EU membership in 2028
The European Commission sees Montenegro as the frontrunner, but reforms and unanimous approval remain necessary.
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According to the European Commission, Montenegro is on course to join the European Union in 2028. The Commission also names Albania and Moldova as countries that could follow in the coming years, while Ukraine will need more time.
The European Commission presented a new enlargement package on Wednesday, with road maps for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine. It sets out reform targets and milestones for the coming years. The package is intended to clarify which countries are making progress and which conditions remain outstanding.
Montenegro is regarded as the frontrunner among the candidate countries. The country has opened all 33 negotiating chapters. According to the Commission, 21 chapters have been provisionally closed. Those agreements are not yet final, however: they can be revisited until an overall agreement on membership has been reached.
The Commission says Montenegro may be able to complete the remaining negotiations by the end of 2026. An accession treaty must then be drawn up and signed. The European Commission calls 2028 a realistic point at which Montenegro could become the EU’s 28th member, but this is not a commitment. All 27 current member states must ultimately give their unanimous approval.
Albania has also made progress, according to the Commission. The country has opened negotiations on all 33 chapters and could complete the talks in 2027. The condition is that reforms continue and room remains for political dialogue. Moldova could complete the negotiations at the beginning of 2028.
For Ukraine, the timetable lies further ahead. According to the Commission, the country has met the conditions to open the remaining negotiating areas, but it must above all strengthen the rule of law, democratic institutions and public administration. The Commission therefore considers accession before the end of this decade unlikely.
Enlargement is relevant to the Netherlands because new member states gain influence over decision-making, the single market and the European budget. At the same time, the prospect of membership can encourage reform and stability in the Western Balkans. The coming years will show whether the candidate countries carry out their promised reforms and whether the member states are willing to enlarge the Union further.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Commission published a new enlargement package on 4 November 2026.
- Montenegro is regarded as the frontrunner and is mentioned as a possible EU accession country in 2028.
- Accession requires the completion of reforms and unanimous approval by the EU member states.
Left
Arguments A larger EU can strengthen democratic reforms, the rule of law and economic development in the Western Balkans. Membership should therefore be tied to strict conditions on democracy and human rights.
Values International solidarity, the rule of law and minority protection.
Consequences Rapid but conditional enlargement can promote stability; insufficient oversight could import democratic decline into the EU.
Centre
Arguments Enlargement is strategically desirable, but should take place step by step. The EU must monitor the reforms while also preparing its own decision-making and budget for new members.
Values Institutional feasibility, predictability and European cooperation.
Consequences A phased process reduces risks, but can cause disappointment if candidate countries have to wait a long time for membership.
Right
Arguments The EU should first put its external borders, budget and decision-making in order before taking on new obligations. Candidates must demonstrably meet the conditions and receive more than political goodwill alone.
Values National responsibility, verifiable conditions and financial restraint.
Consequences A stricter pace could protect the EU’s credibility and internal cohesion, but may reduce its influence in the Western Balkans.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core of the article is based on current reporting by AP and official information from the European Commission. The timetable is described as conditional, not as a fixed accession date.
- confirmed According to the European Commission, Montenegro is on course to become an EU member in 2028. — AP summarises the Commission’s new enlargement report in these terms. source
- confirmed Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 21. — The European Commission reported that 21 of the 33 chapters had been provisionally closed in October 2026. source
- confirmed All 27 EU member states must ultimately approve accession. — AP describes the unanimous approval required after the negotiations are completed. source
- confirmed Albania could complete the accession negotiations in 2027. — The European Commission mentions this timetable subject to further reforms. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the Commission regards Montenegro as the frontrunner and considers 2028 a feasible timetable. Accession is not guaranteed: reforms must continue and all EU member states must give their unanimous approval.Sources
- EU offers Serbia hope for membership if democracy strengthens — Associated Press
- Enlargement: EU and Montenegro close accession negotiations in three areas — Europese Commissie
- Montenegro - Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood — Europese Commissie
- Albania - Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood — Europese Commissie
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „uitbreiding montenegro”
- NU.nl — „uitbreiding montenegro”
- De Telegraaf — „uitbreiding montenegro”