Navigating Healthcare in Montenegro: My Experience

It was a typical morning when the lump appeared. A flash of surreal panic took hold as my fingers traced the unfamiliar shape beneath my skin. We were in Germany and would be leaving for Montenegro in a couple of days, a country whose language was foreign, and now our plans would be overshadowed by worry. The looming task of visiting a doctor and navigating healthcare in Montenegro was unsettling, but unavoidable. We had just arrived, and now our plans were on hold for what turned into a consultation, an ultrasound, and an MRI, all done within six days.

The first step was asking my international network who they would recommend in the area. The list included business partners I planned to meet in Montenegro, Telegram groups, and a friend in Germany whose daughter-in-law was from Montenegro.

The goal was an overlap in recommendations, and it came with A3 Medical in Sutomore. Three people recommended this private clinic, commenting that it was professional with good doctors and that they are ready to provide translators for English and Russian-speaking clients.

A3 Medical’s website has an English option. With an email sent off on Friday morning, November 7th, I sat back in my chair, stared out the window at the surf of the Adriatic gently rolling ashore, and awaited a response. Less than an hour later, a list of dates and times for the following week was in the inbox. The soonest was Monday, November 10th, at 3:00 pm. Might as well get it over with… Book it.

An Appointment with the GP: Navigating Healthcare in Montenegro

An early arrival at the clinic was executed, as I was expecting some paperwork. Barely sitting down in the bright, comfortable waiting area, the nurse called my middle name. Are they calling me? Yes. For some reason, my middle name was preferable to my first name at this clinic. Numerous corrections were in order throughout the appointments. Fourteen minutes later, the exam was finished with an ultrasound appointment with a specialist scheduled for the next day, Tuesday, November 11th at 11:00 am.

The Specialist and Ultrasound

There was a small mix-up with the appointment time; they had me down for 11:30 am instead of 11:00. Still, I was in the exam room before 11:30. The doctor took his time, asked lots of questions, and chatted up a storm. When the nurse came in to hurry him, he shook his head and said, “They want me to have people in and out in 15 minutes. This is not possible. I am a doctor. My patients need time.” He typed up his report at a relaxed pace. He’s a cheeky fellow.

The doctor extended some cultural advice when he saw my purse on the floor before the start of the examination. “Here, you do not put your purse on the floor. The money will be stolen if you put your purse on the floor.” He picked up my purse and put it on a table. There was no one in the room but us. Who in the world is going to enter… tip noted.

Cheeky Doctor provided a full report, an image of the ultrasound, and two of his phone numbers to reach him on WhatsApp.

All was said and done within an hour. Another appointment was booked for an MRI on Wednesday, November 12th at 6:00 pm.

The MRI

It was 6:00 pm, and the MRI Tech was already at reception waiting. Paperwork complete, waiver signed, and downstairs we headed for the procedure.

Thirty minutes of mental anguish in the MRI passed like molasses in January. The noise inside the machine was deafening. Bangs like shotguns and squeals of airhorns filled the coffin-like container. Unable to move, lying there with hands of ice and shoulder muscles straining from the unnatural position, prayers that the procedure would soon be over provided strength. Finally, no more noise, and the table was pulled out of the machine.

“Are you okay?” The tech asked quietly.

“Yes,” Rattled and unsure, arms relieved at the opportunity to move, slowly relaxed to a natural state.

On wobbly legs, the change room came into sight. Inside, the mirror peered back at a crease-lined face from the sterile pillow fabric. Deep breaths.

Hospital gown discarded and civilian clothes welcomed, the padded bench in the hall outside the change room offered time for composure and for further direction.

Within a few minutes, the tech returned, handing over a CD and stating the results should be ready tomorrow, Thursday, November 13th.

The Results Are In

Thursday morning at 9:30 am, the MRI results arrived by email. A quick online translation from Serbian to English revealed the lump was benign. To be sure, I messaged Cheeky Doctor, who quickly relayed the same news. Benign.

Praise the Lord! What a relief. The speed at which all of this transpired from the first email to my final MRI results… Six days. Incredible.

As the initial wave of relief washed away the worry, reflection on the emotional rollercoaster pulled me into reality. The soft undercurrent of concern lurking beneath the brisk efficiency of each appointment had transformed into gratitude and a newfound respect for the unknown resilience within. It was as if each consultation, each new set of results, chipped away at the anxiety, ultimately revealing a stronger, more assured version of myself. Sometimes, stepping into the unknown not only resolves uncertainties but also redefines personal boundaries, pushing you to grow in ways you’d never anticipate.

How Does this Compare to Your Healthcare?

How long would it take you to get all this medical work done in Canada or the United States? In Canada, for instance, the average wait time in 2025, reported by physicians across Canada, was 28.6 weeks between a referral from a GP and receipt of treatment. The national 28.6 week total wait comprises two segments: 1) Referral by a GP to consultation with a specialist: 15.3 weeks. 2) Consultation with a specialist to receipt of treatment: 13.3 weeks. (Esmail, 2025)

What would be the cost? Mentally, Physically, and Financially?

Here’s what I paid in Montenegro:

• Consult with the GP: €30
• Consult with the specialist and ultrasound: €130
• MRI -€159.60
  • Grand Total €319.60

To give you a sense of what €319.60 can mean, it’s roughly equivalent to a round-trip flight to a nearby European country, a decent week’s stay in a budget-friendly hotel, or a month’s worth of groceries for a small family in Montenegro. (MD Realty, 2025) In light of this, you can appreciate the considerable savings and efficiency the Montenegrin healthcare system provides compared to what you might pay elsewhere.

Oh, and coffees in the cafeteria for three people for a whopping €5 total.

“Yeah, But How Good is the Healthcare?”

One of the top questions I am asked is about healthcare in other countries. Rumblings were not good regarding the healthcare in Montenegro, but my experience was surprisingly efficient. However, it’s important to note that public healthcare systems in Montenegro can face challenges, such as limited resources and longer waiting times. Because of these issues, many expats and locals choose private care when speed and access are priorities.

In private clinics, like the visit chronicled above, appointments can be scheduled quickly, and staff, including doctors, technicians, nurses, and receptionists, often speak English, which is a comfort for non-native speakers. The doctors are attentive and professional, which was evident from my quick and smooth experience. The efficiency with which all of this was accomplished is quite mind-blowing.

Comparing public and private healthcare, public services are more affordable, but the trade-off can be longer wait times and less personalized attention, especially if you do not speak the local language fluently. While private healthcare comes at a cost, often higher than public services, it provides faster service, shorter waiting times, and English-speaking staff. These factors play a significant role for expats considering healthcare options.

The one drawback I experienced was the poor communication between the medical staff and different departments. I had to relay my story to each professional, starting from scratch every time. Other than that, my first visit to a private clinic was incredibly positive, except for having to be there in the first place. Exploring the country and helping my clients with their move and residency in this scenic, intriguing country was much more enjoyable than navigating the healthcare in Montenegro. More Montenegrin adventures to follow in the coming weeks.

Photos by Charlotte Tweed

References

Esmail, M. M. (2025, December 9). Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada 2025. Retrieved from Frasier Institute: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/waiting-your-turn-wait-times-for-health-care-in-canada-2025

MD Realty. (2025, August 26). Cost of Living in Montenegro 2025: The Ultimate Price Guide for Expats and Travelers, stoimost-zhizni-v-chernogorii. Retrieved from MD Realty: https://en.mdrealty.me/2025/08/26/stoimost-zhizni-v-chernogorii/