According to the Law on Adult Education, adult education is part of the unique educational system of Montenegro.

Adult education in Montenegro aims to:
• achieve at least basic education and the first qualification for all citizens;
• raise the level of education, that is, the functional literacy of citizens;
• retraining, additional training, training and further training of the unemployed and employed for the labor market;
• enable education and the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies that correspond to the personal abilities and age of the individual, through modern forms of education and learning;
• continuous professional development;
• include the most vulnerable groups through various forms of education and learning for their integration;
• invest in the development of human resources;
• promote the importance of lifelong learning;
• raise the level of knowledge, skills and competences in the field of civil democracy and environmental protection.

Adult education in Montenegro is based on the following principles:
• lifelong learning;
• availability and freedom in choosing education under equal conditions for all citizens in accordance with opportunities and needs;
• connection between work and education;
• an equally valuable educational standard in formal and informal education;
• ensuring and improving quality;
• respecting the specificity of adults in the process of education and learning;
• appreciation of andragogic science and profession and application of modern technologies;
• transparency.

Adult education in Montenegro can take place as:

• Formal education is an organized process of education that is carried out according to a publicly valid educational program or a part of that program (module, study unit, etc.), on the basis of which the level of education is acquired, or one or more professional qualifications, in accordance with the Law on Adult Education and other laws regulating the relevant fields of education.

• Informal education is an organized and structured process of acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies needed for life and work, which lead to the improvement of personal and professional skills.

• Informal learning is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills and competences from everyday experiences and other educational influences taking place without a specific intention and organized goal.

• Self-education represents a higher level of self-development that is based on having the ability and skills for an individual to organize the learning process completely independently, outside of institutions and without the help of others.

Adult education in Montenegro is regulated by the following laws:
General Law on Education 
Law on Adult Education 
Law on National Vocational Qualifications
Law on the National Qualifications Framework
Law on Vocational Education

Strategic documents in the field of adult education are the following:
Education Reform Strategy 2025-2035
Career Guidance and Counseling Strategy 2025-2030
Adult Education Plan 2025 - 2029
Reform Agenda of Montenegro 2024-2027