Kosovo's non-inclusion in SEPA with consequences for the country's economy

Delays in Kosovo's membership in the single European payments area, known as SEPA, have cost the country's economy around 29 million euros in the first half of this year alone, according to the European Investors Council. The obstacle to Kosovo's non-inclusion in SEPA are the laws that are being dealt with by the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court has not given any deadline for when the decisions on the laws that were approved in December last year will be published

The Constitutional Court has not given a deadline for when the decision on the laws that became an obstacle to Kosovo's non-membership in the single euro payments area, known as SEPA, will be published.
The Central Bank of Kosovo has issued the relevant regulations and has pre-applied to SEPA. 

The assessment of these regulations for their compliance with European Union legislation is in progress, while the Law on Banking, the Law on Payment Services and the Law on Supplementing/Amending the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism remain obstacles, which are under constitutional review by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. 

"This case is being reviewed. The decision will be made after reviewing all constitutional aspects of the claims made in the request by the submitting party, in accordance with the Constitution, the Law on the Constitutional Court and the Rules of Procedure of the Court," the Constitutional Court told KOĞEN.  

These laws were approved in December of last year, but were then sent for interpretation to the Constitutional Court by the Democratic Party. 

SEPA membership would facilitate international payments by making them faster, cheaper and simpler for Kosovo citizens and businesses. 

also Arberi October 8, 2025 The laws being considered by the Constitutional Court hinder Kosovo's membership in SEPA

The European Investors Council (EIC) in Kosovo mentioned on Monday the millions in losses from Kosovo's non-membership in SEPA. 

"The European Investors Council (EIC) in Kosovo welcomes the commitment of local institutions and the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) to the country's membership in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), as well as the close cooperation with the European Commission in this regard. This process marks an important step towards the modernization of the financial system and approximation with European financial standards. SEPA membership will bring direct benefits to citizens and businesses, enabling cheaper, faster and safer payments, better access to international markets, as well as improved liquidity management for local enterprises," the press release reads. 

According to them, based on recent estimates, delays in this process have cost Kosovo's economy around 29 million euros in the first half of the year alone, while the potential annual benefits amount to 55 million euros. 

"The European Investors Council appreciates the great technical and regulatory work that the CBK, with the assistance of the World Bank and in close coordination with the European Commission, has accomplished so far. This process has advanced significantly, and, given its importance for the private sector and sustainable economic development, the EIC advocates that the review of the relevant laws by the Constitutional Court enable the continuation of reforms in a timely manner and in a manner harmonized with the public interest," the EIC said. 

According to this council, Kosovo has a real opportunity not to lag behind neighboring countries in this area and to fully benefit from inclusion in the single European payments network. 

"Kosovo's membership in SEPA will modernize the financial infrastructure, reduce costs for businesses and citizens, and make our economy more attractive for new investments. The European Investors Council remains committed to widely informing about the value that SEPA brings to the country's economy and citizens," the organization said.  

SEPA is a pan-European initiative, established in 2008 with the aim of simplifying, accelerating and harmonizing electronic payments while reducing costs as much as possible. 

“Thanks to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), customers can make cashless payments in euros - via credit transfers and direct debits - in any country in the European Union, as well as in a number of non-EU countries, in a fast, secure and efficient way, just like national payments. SEPA was introduced for credit transfers in 2008, followed by direct debits in 2009, and was fully implemented by 2014 in the euro area (and by 2016 in SEPA countries outside the euro area),” the European Central Bank website states. 

also Finances 6 dhj 2024 Bislimi: The Assembly paved the way for Kosovo's membership in the Single European Payments Area

SEPA currently includes 41 countries, including EU member states, several Nordic countries, and the United Kingdom. 

Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro have now officially launched payments in euros through the SEPA area.