Podgorica Residents Await Fire Damage Compensation Decision

Residents of Podgorica are still waiting for compensation promised by the Government of Montenegro following devastating wildfires that occurred in August 2025. The fires, which affected forested and rural areas around the capital, resulted in damages estimated at approximately 1.7 million EUR. Local authorities report that affected citizens frequently inquire about the status of their claims, but a final decision on the distribution of funds is yet to be made.

The wildfires destroyed over 300 hectares of forest land and vegetation, impacting numerous agricultural farms, vineyards, and several structures. Among the losses, more than 43,000 vine stocks were reported destroyed, severely affecting local agriculture.

According to Nikola Jocic, President of the Commission for Assessing Damage from Natural Disasters, the commission received 334 requests for assistance between August and December of 2025. Of these, 284 requests related specifically to damages caused by the fires, with 244 resolved. The remaining cases are pending due to incomplete documentation.

Jocic explained that the commission promptly visited all affected areas, assessing damage and compiling reports. The assessment process took about four months, as the commission, which includes five members, visited over 300 households to document and evaluate the damage incurred.

In previous statements, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic indicated that the government would assist those impacted by the fires. A donor account was established by the Ministry of Finance to collect funds aimed at addressing the damage. Jocic noted that approximately 124,000 EUR had been donated to this account during the previous year. The government has also announced an additional allocation of 300,000 EUR for individuals and businesses affected by the wildfires, with the Eco-Fund of Montenegro contributing another 400,000 EUR. Altogether, this brings the total financial resources designated for recovery efforts to around 824,000 EUR.

Despite the passage of time since the damage assessments were submitted, residents have yet to receive any compensation. Initial expectations suggested that reimbursements might only cover about 20 percent of the assessed damages. More recent reports have indicated that compensation could be capped at just 10 percent of the estimated losses.

While Jocic confirmed that the government has indicated a willingness to consider increasing the compensation limits, the final decision regarding both the percentage and timing of payments will ultimately rest with the government. He emphasized the importance of residents reaching out to the relevant authorities for updates on funds and assistance.

On March 12, 2026, the government partially approved the Commission’s request for 300,000 EUR in funding. The Ministry of Finance proposed allocating 200,000 EUR from the budget reserves for 2026 to the Commission for Assessing Damage from Natural Disasters. However, the commission did not review requests submitted after the August 2025 fires, as those were completed in January 2026. The total damage assessment provided by the municipal commission amounted to nearly two million EUR, yet many decisions submitted by the commission to the Ministry of Finance have not been executed due to a lack of available funds.

As the situation unfolds, residents of Podgorica continue to face uncertainty regarding their future and the recovery process from the wildfires that significantly altered their lives.