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Montenegro Expat Health Insurance

Montenegro is located in South-eastern Europe, in an area known as the Balkans situated on the Adriatic Sea. With a population of 690,000, the country borders Bosnia, Croatia, and Herzegovina to the north and Serbia to the northeast.  Kosovo forms the border to the east and Albania to the south. Montenegro provides visitors an array of outdoor activities based around its mountains, lakes, forest, sea and 294km of coastline. In the winter Montenegro is a popular skiing destination with visitors from Slovenia, Czech Republic, Austria and Italy, despite these countries having their own ski fields. In the summer, visitors can relax on one of 117 sandy beaches, raft down Europe’s deepest canyon, or wander around the Old Towns. Montenegro has some of the most rugged terrain in Europe, with an average elevation of more than 2,100m (7,000 ft.) and is divided into 21 municipalities which are grouped into five regions; Bay of Kotor, Budva Riviera, Central Montenegro, Montenegrin South Coast and North Montenegrin Mountains.

The capital city, Podgorica, is located in the valley of the central region, near sea level, and is recognized as having the warmest July temperatures in the country, averaging 35-40°c (95-104°f). The areas along the coast enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with warm and dry summers and mild winters, while the central and northern areas experience a continental climate, where temperatures vary greatly with elevation. The official language is Montenegrin, which is essentially the same language as Croatian, Serbian and Bosnian. In the capital and in coastal areas, many people can speak some English however this is not the case in the north, where Russian is more widely spoken being part of the same family with the other Slavic languages, and is relatively easy to understand. The country has experienced significant economic and political change over the last two decades, becoming a sovereign state in 2006, bringing an end to the former Union of Serbia & Montenegro. Tourism suffered greatly through the Yugoslavian war however has started to recover, with visitors from all around the world now visiting Montenegro. With this in mind, visitors to the country should ensure appropriate expatriate travel insurance is arranged which covers all the activities that they expect to undertake.

Montenegro Health Care and Insurance

The health system in Montenegro is comprised of both state run and privately run facilities. All citizens are entitled by law, access to healthcare, which is funded through social health insurance deducted directly through payroll. The state fund covers most medical services, including hospitalization, prescriptions, pregnancy and childbirth; however corruption remains a problem. Since gaining independence in 2006 the health system has undergone much reform and in 2011, Montenegro’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) conducted a joint project to review the integrity of the health system. Almost 80 percent of the primary care respondents considered the reforms to have been a success and concluded that the quality of care had improved since independence. However, it also found that 49.4 percent of hospital patients made an informal payment, by way of money or a gift, preceding service delivery and concluded that corruption must be addressed to protect the vulnerable and underprivileged.

The doctors in Montenegro are well trained however medical centers are generally not well equipped and medical supplies are occasionally in short supply. Travelers may prefer to be treated at private healthcare facilities as very limited English is spoken at the public healthcare clinics and hospitals, however private facilities can be expensive and payment is often required upfront, and most frequently in cash. In order to obtain medicines and basic medical supplies, visitors may also need to use privately owned pharmacies, which can result in increased costs. In the case of emergency services, a response is affected only in the most urgent of cases as Montenegro has a limited number of ambulances; therefore alternative transport needs to be sought in less-severe or non-emergency situations. Air evacuation to another country to seek treatment may be required in some cases due to limitations of health facilities; therefore travel advisories recommend that comprehensive Montenegro travel insurance which includes a provision for medical evacuation is purchased to ensure quality care in the case of injury or illness while travelling. Arranging medical insurance is also important because in order to obtain a residence permit, expats immigrating to Montenegro without proof of employment must provide evidence of private health insurance.

Montenegro Travel Insurance Concerns

Seeking medical advice prior to any travel is recommended to ensure that routine immunizations are up to date. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations for Montenegro, namely Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies, the latter vaccination for those who expect to be in contact with wildlife. One of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases contracted while travelling is Hepatitis A, with exposure to the virus occurring through food or water. Care should be taken to regularly wash hands with soap or use an alcohol-based hand gel, particularly prior to eating. Bottled water should be consumed in place of tap water. The Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through infected blood or body fluids, and is recommended in the event travelers might be exposed through medical treatment or via risky behavior such as unprotected sexual contact or needle-sharing. Veterinarians and any travelers that will be involved in activities which will bring them in direct contact with bats, carnivores and other mammals should ensure they are vaccinated against rabies. Precautions should also be taken against insect bites. Preventative measures are recommended, such as applying insect repellent regularly, covering exposed skin, spraying rooms with bug-spray and using mosquito-nets when sleeping. There is no risk of yellow fever in Montenegro and no certificate requirements under International Health Regulations (2005).

Montenegro has a relatively low level of crime, with little directed toward foreigners especially; however as with other parts of Europe, travelers should be vigilant against street crime. Caution should also be taken when driving, as roads in Montenegro are poorly maintained, and in the summer months, congested. A particularly dangerous road is the two-lane Moraca Canyon, which in the summer is overcrowded and subject to landslides, and in the winter is covered with snow. Local drivers can be aggressive and reckless and accidents occur frequently. It is worthy to note that if not staying at a hotel, visitors must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, otherwise face being fined, detained or deported. Visitors should also be aware that tremors are frequent in Montenegro as it is in a seismically active zone, and while sporadic, serious earthquakes do occur. Travel advisories note that due to the possibility of unexploded landmines, special care should be taken along the Kosovo border and that travelers should stick to roads and official border crossings. Advisories also note that comprehensive travel and medical insurance should be arranged in order to cover any unexpected costs such as stolen belongings and medical bills.

Montenegro Expat Health Insurance

Medical personnel in Montenegro are well trained, and the country has a functioning private sector, however health services can be limited as facilities face shortages of supplies. Medical evacuation therefore becomes a critical component of travelling there and expats are recommended to purchase private health insurance prior to departing for Montenegro. Expat health insurance and travel insurance policies can be used worldwide, providing coverage wherever you may travel. Global Health Insurance has various medical insurance plans available for both long and short-term travel, and policies can be tailored to meet your specific needs, whether travelling global or just to Montenegro. Expat health insurance policies are transferable globally and can include emergency evacuation and repatriation, inpatient services, doctor consultations, medication, specialist care, maternity, dental coverage and many more. To ensure a medical emergency does not become your financial burden contact one of our insurance experts for guidance on the right Montenegro expat health insurance package for you and your family. You'll receive friendly and helpful expatriate medical insurance advice at no cost.