Healthcare in Montenegro for retirees
Healthcare in Montenegro for a foreign retiree starts with travel health insurance, which every temporary residence permit needs, and centres on the Clinical Centre in Podgorica.
The hospitals retirees use, what insurance does and does not cover. Checked against official and hospital sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Life expectancy
- 77.9 years US 78.9. World Bank, 2024
- Doctors
- 2.8 per 1,000 US 3.7. World Bank, 2023
- Health spending
- $1,148/person Per year; US $13,473. World Bank, 2023
- Paid out of pocket
- 26.3% Of all health spending; US 10.9%. World Bank, 2023
Hospitals retirees use in Montenegro
Podgorica
Clinical Centre of Montenegro (KCCG)
- The country's reference hospital for tertiary care
- 16 clinics, an Urgent Centre and a polyclinic
- About 40,000 inpatients a year
Clinical Centre of Montenegro. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Podgorica
Codra Hospital
- Private hospital with the first private maternity ward in Montenegro
- About 100 permanent staff
- Centres for orthopaedics, urology and breast care
Codra Hospital. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Kotor
General Hospital Kotor
- Public regional hospital for Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi
- About 60 doctors and 250 staff
General Hospital Kotor. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Bar
General Hospital Blažo Orlandić
- Public general hospital for the Bar area
- Radiology service with more than 17,000 exams in the first half of 2026
General Hospital Bar. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Public care runs through the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro (FZOCG). A foreigner with temporary residence is insured through work, self-employment, unemployment benefit or a pension under the pension insurance rules. The open category for people with no other cover is limited to citizens and foreigners with permanent residence. Nationals of countries that have a social security agreement with Montenegro get care to the extent that agreement sets.
Paying for care in Montenegro
26.3% of health spending in Montenegro is paid directly by patients, about 2.5 times the US share, so plan how you will pay before you move.
Retirees use either an international health plan, which can also cover care at home and in other countries, or a local plan from an insurer in Montenegro, which costs less but covers care there only. Prices depend on age and on the insurer's terms for existing conditions; compare written quotes.
If you are on Medicare
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital.
Medicare.gov. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Healthcare questions
Does Medicare cover me in Montenegro?
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital. Plan on private insurance or paying directly for care in Montenegro.
Do I need health insurance for the Property owner visa?
Every temporary residence permit needs proof of health insurance: travel health insurance from an authorised insurer, or cover under an international agreement.
How much of the bill do people pay themselves?
In Montenegro, 26.3% of all health spending is paid out of pocket, against 10.9% in the US (World Bank, 2023).
What are the healthcare options for retirees in Montenegro?
Public hospitals such as the Clinical Centre of Montenegro in Podgorica and the general hospitals in Kotor and Bar, and private hospitals such as Codra in Podgorica. A residence permit needs travel health insurance from an authorised insurer.
Can foreign retirees use public health insurance in Montenegro?
The Health Insurance Fund insures foreigners on temporary residence through work, self-employment or a pension under the pension insurance rules. Its open category for people with no other cover applies only to citizens and permanent residents.
