The new Law on Health Care entered into force on August 14, 2025. The purpose of enacting this law is to establish a legal framework that will enable a comprehensive reform of Montenegro’s health care system through alignment with modern standards and the legal acquis of the European Union.
For the first time in Montenegro the Law introduces, among other provisions, telemedicine as a form of providing health care services remotely. Additionally, the new legal framework creates opportunities and provides incentives for the development of business activities through the enhancement of health tourism, thereby establishing a basis for attracting investments. In addition, the new Law regulates the use of new health technologies, which also encompass minimally invasive aesthetic procedures.
- Introduction of telemedicine into the health care system
Telemedicine entails the provision of medical services through the use of electronic communications and software for delivering health care remotely, without the physical presence of the patient, as well as through other software platforms and information systems. By introducing the possibility of providing health care services via telemedicine, access to health care is ensured even in situations where a health care professional and a patient, or two health care professionals, are not located in the same place. This primarily includes services such as remote monitoring of a patient’s health condition, consultative medical services, preventive health activities, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Health care professionals will provide medical services based on the health data of the patient, which are available through information and communication technologies, and with the prior consent of the patient. Telemedicine services shall be provided through the Network of Telemedicine Resources, established by the Government of Montenegro, thereby enabling the creation of conditions for the secure exchange of health data.
- Legal framework for the development of health tourism
The new Law also introduces new opportunities for investors and investments in the field of health tourism. It enables operations through the model of a natural spa, which is a health care institution that provides treatment and medical rehabilitation using a natural healing factor in therapy (such as thermal water, seawater, mud, sand, peloids, naftalan, climate, etc.). The Law regulates the provision of health care services in the form of health tourism within hospitality facilities. Health tourism services include consultations, diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures, health care services, dental care services, and services in physical medicine and medical rehabilitation, with the possibility of using a natural healing factor, as well as medical wellness services aimed at maintaining and improving the physical and mental health of individuals and protecting public health. Medical wellness is understood as a targeted program for preserving and enhancing overall health and quality of life, encompassing the application of preventive, medical, and diagnostic procedures, as well as medical rehabilitation procedures.
- Use of New Health Technologies
The detection and prevention of diseases, as well as the treatment and rehabilitation of patients, and the conduct of biomedical research through the application of new technologies, are permitted on the basis of obtaining authorization for their use by the health care institution. These include health technologies that are being introduced for the first time at a certain level of health care within a health care institution, or technologies that are being used for the first time at all within the institution, and their application requires the patient’s prior consent. New health technologies also include minimally invasive aesthetic non-surgical “anti-age” methods for the head and neck. These methods cover the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of changes resulting from aging. Additionally, they encompass procedures that beneficially affect health and physical appearance. In order to perform minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, physicians must hold a certificate confirming completion of the relevant training.
We consider that the successful implementation of the Law will contribute to the integration of traditional health care practices with modern European standards, thereby increasing the accessibility and quality of health care in Montenegro. The new legal framework provides health care institutions with the possibility to carry out more precise diagnostic procedures and more effective treatment. On the other hand, this offers an opportunity to stimulate investments in the field of health tourism, thereby promoting the strengthening of Montenegro’s competitiveness both regionally and internationally. However, it should be noted that the achievement of the positive effects of the adoption of new Law also requires strong institutional support and robust digital infrastructure.
By Marija Zivkovic, Partner, and Mina Coguric, Associate, JPM Partners
