“Don’t have a hundred rubles, have a hundred friends!”
This golden rule works in Montenegro perhaps better than anywhere else. And today I saw it for myself.
Getting a Health Card in Montenegro
After receiving the status of legal residents in Montenegro, we were given a “zdravstvena knjižica” (health card), which means all public healthcare became free for us. But we didn’t know one important thing: here, everyone can choose their own general practitioner. It’s not by area, like back home, but in a much more democratic way. Sounds cool, right? That’s what I thought at first.
When I had to take my child to the doctor again for his never-ending runny nose, they asked me: “Which doctor do you want to see?” I honestly named the doctor we came to see. But not so fast! First of all, the hallway was already full of sick children and their parents. Second, I was told that “Doctor N.” already had a full list of patients and couldn’t take on any more. But I could come in the afternoon and register with someone else.
Well, I already knew “those someone elses” and had no intention of taking my child to them — not even for free — because I trusted “Doctor N.”. We had seen her a few times before, and she proved herself to be a great specialist. Besides, my mother’s intuition was right: it seems like half the city wants to see her!
How “Connections” Work in Montenegro
A bit upset, I called a friend who’s lived here much longer and knows how things work. I told her everything. She promised to help using her old connections and said that here, many things can be solved “through connections”. Having experience with life in Russia, I immediately asked how much and to whom I would need to pay. She laughed and said: “No, no — here ‘connections’ just means personal relationships or any kind of acquaintance.”
That calmed me down a little. Still, I worried: if this didn’t work out, I’d have to either pay to see the doctor I trusted or try treating my child myself — which I really didn’t want.
Another Local Tip That Didn’t Work
Then I thought of asking our landlady for help. She’s also well connected in town. But that idea dropped on its own. Why? I’ll tell you.
They say, “Everyone is the maker of their own happiness,” or something like “You have to grab luck by the tail.” Anyway, another friend told me to just go and talk to the doctor during her Saturday shift. At first, I was scared. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to explain everything well enough, and Saturdays are just as busy as weekdays. But I decided to try. I’m used to solving things myself.
We arrived. In the waiting room were a few familiar faces. One was a neighbor — not a close one, but someone I greet and see with her twins, who are much younger than my son. We said hello.
Then I noticed a girl sitting nearby. I didn’t even know her name until today. She works as a waitress in our favorite café. We’ve been going there often, and she always serves us. Honestly, her great service is the main reason we keep going back.
So, we smiled and shook hands. She asked what brought us here. I told her. And she — what an angel — offered to help!
She could tell I was confused — after all, I’m a foreigner, my language skills are still developing, and asking for something in a foreign country feels awkward. But without hesitation, she took my son’s medical card and went into the doctor’s office with her daughter, just as if we were part of her family.
Just in case, I took a referral form to pay for a private visit if needed. I didn’t expect a good outcome. But then Gordana (yes, that’s her name) came out of the office with her big smile shouting “YES!” in my direction! I was ready to hug her right there! I thanked her over and over — “Hvala puno!” — and went to the registration desk to open a file for my child. And guess what? Gordana came with me. She told the ladies behind the desk that the doctor agreed to take us as regular patients, helped make sure I answered all their questions correctly (father’s name, my name, birth dates, education), and stayed until my son’s details were entered in the system.
Only then did she say goodbye, asking me not to forget her café. How could we ever forget?! Thank you, Gordana!!! We’ll see you soon and thank you properly!
Of course, we’re also very grateful to the doctor — she is always kind and fast, and she remembered us. She didn’t say no! Since we’ve already become familiar faces around the town and the clinic, many people recognize us and probably have an opinion about us — hopefully a good one.
We try to blend in — and the most important part of that is wearing a smile. “Smile, and people will come to you!” — that’s how I’d rephrase the old saying, adapted to local culture and mentality.
Our visit ended with a treatment plan and instructions to see specialists (psychologist, speech therapist, eye doctor) after the New Year for kindergarten paperwork, and a recommendation to get an allergy test — all for free!
Because now we’re not just foreigners — we’re residents of Montenegro, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. One of those rights is free public medical insurance (except for dental services and private clinics like gynecologists, ENT doctors, and labs).
So, we’ll take our medicine for two weeks, get better, and go to Kotor with the doctor’s referral to do a free allergy test.
Not bad at all!
