The European Central Bank (ECB) considers the current level of key interest rates to be justified and remains committed to the goal of maintaining inflation in the euro area at 2% in the long term, ECB President Christine Lagarde said.
“Our aspiration, commitment and duty is to ensure price stability, and this corresponds to inflation in the region of 2%,” she said in an interview with the German newspaper ARD. “We have succeeded, inflation is already at 2%, and we will continue to work in this direction.
“We will do everything necessary to ensure that inflation remains at this level,” Lagarde added. “Uncertainty is high, we are surrounded by unpredictability, but there is confidence and stability in terms of prices.
Meanwhile, François Villeroy de Galo, Governor of the Bank of France and member of the ECB Governing Council, warned that the 14% strengthening of the euro since the beginning of the year poses a risk of too low inflation.
In his opinion, a 10% rise in the euro reduces inflation by 0.2 percentage points over the next three years.
“This may increase the risks that inflation will be below our target, and we cannot ignore this,” de Galo said.
Earlier, ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos noted that the rise of the euro/dollar pair above $1.2 could complicate the central bank’s task of achieving the target inflation rate.
The ECB has cut rates eight times over the past year, and now the key deposit rate is 2%. Analysts and market participants generally expect that the regulator will not change rates at the July meeting in order to assess the impact of the measures already taken on the eurozone economy.
According to Serbian Economist, trade between Central Serbia and Kosovo is growing rapidly, with Serbian goods actively returning to the region’s markets. According to the Kosovo Business Alliance, imports from Central Serbia in the first six months of 2025 reached €110.53 million, compared to €50.64 million in the same period of 2024 — an increase of 118%.
An analysis of the sector shows that consumer goods and food products, including non-alcoholic beverages, foodstuffs, as well as construction materials, agricultural machinery, and mineral fertilizers, have risen in price and expanded their market presence. These categories traditionally form the basis of trade between Serbian suppliers and Kosovar consumers.
According to experts, the return of Serbian goods became possible after the easing of import barriers, including the lifting of the total ban and the introduction of post-border controls at the Merdare checkpoint.
Experts note that the restoration of access to convenient logistics and price attractiveness strengthens Central Serbia’s position in the Kosovo market.
The Kosovo Business Alliance, an association of companies trading in the region, analytically monitors trade flows and violations. Since 2023, Kosovo has gradually eased import restrictions on Serbian goods, including through the Merda checkpoint, which has led to a revival of trade.
Imports of Serbian goods are rapidly recovering in the Kosovo and Metohija market, sending not only an economic but also a political signal — a thaw in trade relations.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1156
Greek retail chain Veropoulos, known in Serbia under the Super Vero brand, has announced that it will continue its expansion in the country with the launch of new locations starting in 2026. The company plans to strengthen its presence after more than 20 years of successful operations.
The company has been present in Serbia since 2001, with the first Super Vero store opening in 2002 in New Belgrade. As of 2017, total investment amounted to €48 million, with 500 employees and 15,000 m² of retail space.
In 2013, Veropoulos invested an additional €20 million in projects to build new stores: at that time, three supermarkets were in operation, a fourth was under construction, and a fifth was being prepared for launch. The total number of employees grew to 650.
Growth plans: 2026 and beyond
• Several new stores are expected to open in 2026, including the Jumbo format. The company is preparing sites in various districts of Belgrade and other cities.
• Super Vero specializes in Georgian and Greek products, household goods, and premium delicacies. Its product range includes fresh vegetables and fruits, seafood, olives, cheese, meat, groceries, and household goods.
Analytical information about Veropoulos
• Country of origin: Greece, parent company — Vero S.A., a family business since the 1970s.
• Investments in Serbia: €68-70 million over more than 20 years of operation.
• Staff: approximately 650 people (as of 2025).
• Store formats: Super Vero (supermarkets), Jumbo (hypermarkets with restaurants); floor space from 2,000 m².
• Product range: focus on high-quality products, a wide range of Greek, natural, and organic products. Fresh baked goods, seafood, and premium products are available.
• Brand strategy: positioned as a family brand that does not seek aggressive expansion but is committed to sustainable growth and development.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1147
Montenegro is one of the most affordable countries in Europe in terms of real estate prices and one of the easiest in terms of legal formalities for foreigners. In recent years, it has become particularly popular among citizens of the CIS and EU countries due to its mild climate, sea, prospects for price growth, and loyal tax policy. However, when buying an apartment or house, it is important to understand what taxes and fees you will have to pay.
Main taxes when buying real estate in Montenegro
Rate: 3% of the market value of the property as determined by the tax authorities (not always the same as the price in the contract).
The tax is paid once, within 15 days after the conclusion of the agreement and submission of documents to the tax office.
Rate: 21%, already included in the contract price.
In this case, the property transfer tax (3%) is not levied.
Property ownership tax
The rate is set by municipalities and usually ranges from 0.1% to 1% of the cadastral value (depending on the location, type, and condition of the property).
For example:
Apartment in Budva or Kotor — approximately 0.25–0.5%
Properties on the coast and in tourist areas are taxed at a higher rate
The tax is paid once a year, usually by the end of March.
Important: a penalty is charged for late payment.
Additional costs
Renting real estate: taxes for the owner
If the property is rented out, the owner is obliged to:
Obtain a short-term rental permit from the municipality.
Keep a register of guests and pay tax:
Fixed tax on rental income — 9%.
Plus tourist tax per guest — approximately €1 per night.
From 2024, compliance with these requirements will be actively monitored (introduction of electronic accounting systems).
Example
Apartment in Budva for €150,000, purchased from a private individual:
Property transfer tax: 3% = €4,500
Annual property tax (0.4%): €600
Notary + registration fees: ~€1,000
In case of rental: income tax — 9% of profit
Montenegro offers a relatively simple and predictable tax system for real estate. One-time tax on purchase — 3% or 21% (for new construction), annual tax — low. Rental income is taxed at a moderate rate but requires compliance with formalities.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/property-taxes-in-montenegro-what-buyers-need-to-know/
The rise in energy prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East could weaken economic growth in the eurozone and thus smooth out inflation, said Luis de Guindos, deputy head of the European Central Bank (ECB).
“The emergence of the Iranian-Israeli conflict adds some uncertainty to the dynamics of oil prices,” The Wall Street Journal quoted him as saying. It is therefore important to keep a close eye on developments in the real economy as an indicator of inflation prospects.”
According to de Guindos, the increase in duties on European exports to the United States will certainly slow down inflation in the currency bloc, including because it will weaken economic growth.
“Higher duties are expected even if bilateral negotiations are successful,” the deputy head said. The ECB cut its key policy rate in June and made it clear that it was nearing the end of its monetary easing cycle. In May, inflation in the euro area was below the 2% target.
However, de Guindos’ comments suggest that the rate may have to be cut further to keep inflation around 2%, the WSJ writes.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/rising-energy-prices-could-weaken-economic-growth-in-europe/
The residential real estate market in Vienna shows mixed trends: in general, apartment prices are declining, but there is a steady increase in high-end neighborhoods. At the same time, demand, especially for rentals, remains high and new construction is declining.In the fourth quarter of 2024, the overall price index for Austria decreased by 1.08% and for Vienna by 2.08% compared to the same period in 2023 (-3.91% adjusted for inflation). Meanwhile, the quarterly change in Vienna is minimal, a barely noticeable decline (about -0.55% in real terms). But in the premium districts (Innenstadt, Döbling), price increases of up to +5-15% over the year. Prices by districtThe average price in Vienna in June 2025 is around €5,500/m²Innenstadt (1st district): around €25,000/m² (up +29.8 %)Suburbs (Floridsdorf, Donaustadt): €3,500-5,000/m²So the range (Via Investropa): €3,600/m² (suburbs) – €27,000/m² (center). Buy or rent?Average 1-bedroom rent:In the center – €1,000-1,100/month,In the suburbs – €700-1,000/monthGross rental yields hold at 3-4%, higher in the center for short-term accommodation (Airbnb up to €91/day, occupancy ~77%). Loan rate: around 3.2-3.9% (10-year). One-off purchase costs (notary, fees) – around 9-13% of the value.At the same time, only around 1,800 new rental apartments are expected to be built in 2025 – 60% less than in 2024. New mortgage lending is also down: ~€11.3bn in 2024 vs. €23.2bn in 2022. Housing construction fell by 4.9% in 2024 (based on pre Q3 data). Until 2026, experts expect moderate price growth due to improving economic situation and overcoming the downturn in construction. The rental market will grow: expect yields of 3-4%, especially for short-term rentals. A persistent housing shortage, strong migration inflows and city policies are all creating long-term demand.
