Health Insurance in Montenegro

The public health system provides universal healthcare to the Montenegrin population, and is governed by the Ministry of Health. State healthcare funding has seen significant changes in recent years, switching to a fully tax financed system in January 2022.

Health insurance for expats in Montenegro

How does the Montenegrin Healthcare system work?

In order to access state healthcare in Montenegro, you need to be employed, a legal resident, and pay social security contributions. A lot of the treatments included in the public system are free, but you might have to pay some out-of-pocket costs, such as for dental services.

To apply for a residence permit, you must first meet certain criteria. This can include being in employment, buying property, or registering a company. A residence permit is typically valid for up to a year and is renewable.

Once you’re registered as a resident, you can get a medical card. If you’re going to be working in Montenegro, then your employer should be able to obtain this for you.

Healthcare in Montenegro is divided between primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Primary care is provided at healthcare centres by a chosen doctor and is usually the first point of contact for your medical care. Some of their services include providing treatment for common illnesses and referrals to a specialist if necessary.

Secondary medical care is generally more specialist medical treatment, such as oncology and cardiology. The next level is tertiary, which is more highly specialist medical care, which can consist of treatment for more complex conditions.

How to choose health insurance in Montenegro: local or international?

In addition to the public system, you could choose between a local or international health insurance plan to protect your healthcare needs. Ensure you do lots of research before deciding on your cover so you can make an informed decision.

Local health insurance

Having a local healthcare plan can provide you with access to private medical facilities within Montenegro and shorter waiting times for medical treatment, but it is limited to care offered in that specific country.

International health insurance

Opting for international healthcare cover can provide you with a greater degree of flexibility than a local plan, as well as access to high-quality treatment in leading medical facilities in multiple countries across the world within your cover area.

To find out more about the cost of international private medical insurance, check out our blog here.