New Decision on Working Hours in Podgorica: obligations of business entities and the deadline for harmonisation
The Assembly of the Capital City of Podgorica adopted the Decision on Working Hours, which regulates the schedule, start and end of working hours of legal entities, entrepreneurs and other business entities in the territory of the Capital City.
The Decision covers a wide range of activities – from utility services and internal trade, through hospitality and tourism, crafts, culture and sports, to games of chance and amusement games, as well as activities performed within health, educational and scientific-research institutions, and in facilities of special purpose, such as airports, stations, petrol stations and shopping centres.
Obligations of business entities
The new Decision prescribes clear administrative and organisational obligations for all business entities to which it applies.
The most important obligations are:
- the business entity is obliged to adopt a decision on the working hours schedule in accordance with the law and this Decision, to submit it to the Municipal Police for certification and to keep it in the facility in which it performs the activity;
- the certified decision on working hours must be submitted to the Municipal Police within eight days after the expiry of the period prescribed for harmonisation.
Working hours must be clearly and visibly displayed at the entrance to the facility, and in the event that the facility does not operate on Sundays, the display of the sign “CLOSED” is mandatory.
Deadline for harmonisation and cessation of validity of previous approvals
One of the key novelties relates to the transitional period for the application of the new Decision.
Business entities are obliged to harmonise their working hours with the provisions of the new Decision within 60 days from the day of its entry into force.
At the same time, it is important to note that:
- all approvals for performing activities in extended working hours, issued under the previous decision, cease to be valid on the day of entry into force of the new Decision;
- business entities are obliged to harmonise the existing approvals for performing activities with the new rules within 60 days.
What does the new Decision practically mean for business operations?
The new Decision regulates in detail working hours by types of activities (trade, hospitality, crafts, culture, sports, games of chance, etc.), including special rules for the summer and winter season, terraces and gardens, night clubs, as well as the possibility of operating in extended working hours in precisely defined cases.
This primarily ensures:
- uniform application of the rules throughout the territory of the Capital City,
- clearer control of the operation of hospitality and other facilities,
- better protection of communal order and the public interest.
Entry into force
The Decision was published in the “Official Gazette of Montenegro – Municipal Regulations”, No. 067/25 of 29 December 2025, and shall apply from the day of entry into force as prescribed by the Decision itself.
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