Healthcare in Romania: A Complete Guide for Foreign Nationals and Expats in 2026

Introduction: Healthcare Is One of the First Questions Every Foreign Resident Asks

When a foreign entrepreneur incorporates a company in Romania, or an investor purchases property, or a professional relocates for work — one of the first practical questions, often asked before the business is even operational, is about healthcare. How does the Romanian system work? Is it any good? Do I need private insurance? What happens if I have an emergency? Can I see a doctor who speaks English? How much will it cost?

These questions matter because healthcare directly affects the quality of daily life — and because the answers in Romania are more nuanced than the simple narratives suggest. Romania’s healthcare system is neither the disaster that pessimistic media coverage sometimes implies nor the Western European standard that optimistic promotional materials might promise. It is a system in transition: a large, universal public healthcare network that struggles with chronic underfunding, staffing shortages, and infrastructure gaps — alongside a rapidly growing private sector that now offers diagnostics, specialist consultations, surgery, dental care, preventive medicine, and wellness services at a level that often matches or exceeds Western European standards, at a fraction of the cost.

For foreign nationals living in Romania — whether EU citizens exercising free-movement rights or non-EU residents with work permits and residence permits — understanding both systems, knowing how to access them, and making informed decisions about insurance and provider selection is essential. This guide explains the entire landscape.

How Romania’s Healthcare System Works

The Public Healthcare System (Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate — CNAS)

Romania operates a universal public healthcare system funded primarily through mandatory health insurance contributions (CASS — contribuția de asigurări sociale de sănătate). The system is managed by the National Health Insurance House (Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate — CNAS) and its county-level branches (Case Județene de Asigurări de Sănătate).

In principle, every person who pays CASS contributions — or who falls within an exempt category (children, students, pregnant women, pensioners, registered unemployed, persons with disabilities) — is entitled to a defined package of publicly funded healthcare services. This package includes consultations with general practitioners (family doctors), referrals to specialists, hospital treatment, emergency care, laboratory diagnostics, imaging, surgical procedures, maternity care, and a list of subsidised prescription medicines.

In practice, the public system faces well-documented challenges. Hospitals outside Bucharest and the major cities often struggle with outdated equipment, insufficient staffing, and long waiting times for non-emergency procedures. Romania has one of the lowest healthcare spending levels per capita in the European Union, and a significant proportion of its medical professionals have emigrated to Western Europe over the past two decades — attracted by substantially higher salaries in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. The result is a public system that provides universal coverage on paper but delivers uneven quality in practice, with significant variation between Bucharest’s better-equipped public hospitals and smaller provincial facilities.

The Private Healthcare Sector

Romania’s private healthcare sector has expanded dramatically over the past fifteen years and now represents a significant and growing part of the country’s medical infrastructure. Major private hospital groups operate multi-specialty facilities in Bucharest and across the country, offering diagnostics, specialist consultations, outpatient surgery, inpatient care, maternity services, oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and a wide range of other specialties.

Private clinics typically offer shorter waiting times, newer equipment, more comfortable facilities, and — importantly for foreign residents — a higher likelihood of English-speaking medical staff. Many Romanian doctors in the private sector have trained or practised in EU member states and are familiar with international medical standards and patient expectations.

Beyond conventional private hospitals and clinics, Romania has also seen rapid growth in specialised wellness and preventive medicine clinics. Integrative medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, personalised nutrition, IV vitamin therapy, hormonal health programmes, and longevity-focused protocols have become increasingly available — reflecting a global trend toward preventive and personalised healthcare. These services are almost exclusively available in the private sector and are not covered by public health insurance.

Dental care deserves special mention. Romania has become a significant destination for dental tourism, with private dental clinics in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and other cities offering implantology, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and full dental restoration at prices substantially below those in Western Europe — often 50–70% lower — while using the same materials and technologies. For foreign residents, routine and specialist dental care is readily available in the private sector at competitive prices.

Health Insurance for Foreign Nationals

EU/EEA Citizens

Short-term stays (up to 90 days). EU and EEA citizens visiting Romania temporarily can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / CEAM — Cardul European de Asigurări Sociale de Sănătate) to access medically necessary public healthcare on the same terms as insured Romanian citizens. The EHIC covers emergency treatment, necessary medical care during the stay, and treatment for pre-existing conditions that require attention during the visit. It does not cover private healthcare, repatriation, or planned medical treatment.

Long-term residents. EU citizens who establish long-term residence in Romania — by registering as residents, working, or operating a business — become part of the Romanian national health insurance system. If employed, CASS (10% of gross salary) is deducted at source by the employer. If self-employed or operating through a company, CASS must be declared and paid through the annual tax return or monthly declarations, depending on the income type. Once registered and contributing, the EU citizen has the same access to public healthcare as a Romanian national.

S1 form (formerly E106). EU citizens who remain insured in another EU member state (for example, because they are posted workers or continue to work remotely for an employer in their home country) can use the S1 portable document to register with Romania’s health insurance system and access public healthcare without paying Romanian CASS. The S1 form is issued by the health insurance authority in the person’s home country and must be registered with the relevant Romanian county health insurance house.

Non-EU Citizens

With a Romanian employment contract. Non-EU citizens working legally in Romania under an employment contract are covered by the national health insurance system through employer-deducted CASS contributions — on the same basis as Romanian employees. They have full access to the public healthcare package from the start of employment.

With a residence permit but no employment. Non-EU citizens holding a valid Romanian residence permit who are not employed (for example, investors, company owners who are not on payroll, or family members) can access the public system by paying CASS voluntarily. The contribution is calculated as 10% of a minimum income base and is payable through ANAF. Alternatively — and often preferably — they can obtain private health insurance.

Without a residence permit. Foreign nationals present in Romania without a residence permit (tourists, short-term visitors) are not covered by the Romanian public health insurance system. They should carry travel medical insurance. Emergency treatment is available regardless of insurance status — Romanian hospitals are legally obligated to provide emergency care to anyone — but non-emergency treatment must be paid for out of pocket or covered by private insurance.

Private Health Insurance

A growing number of foreign residents in Romania — both EU and non-EU citizens — choose to supplement or replace public healthcare access with private health insurance. Several international and Romanian insurance companies offer health insurance products designed for expatriates and foreign residents, typically providing access to the country’s private hospital and clinic network, shorter waiting times, English-language support, and coverage for a broader range of services including preventive care, dental treatment, and international evacuation.

Private health insurance in Romania is significantly more affordable than equivalent coverage in Western Europe. Individual policies for comprehensive private healthcare coverage typically range from €500 to €2,000 per year depending on age, coverage level, deductibles, and whether dental and maternity care are included. Corporate group policies — commonly offered by Romanian-registered companies to their employees and directors — are even more cost-effective on a per-person basis and are tax-deductible as a business expense within the limits set by the Romanian Tax Code.

Emergency Healthcare

Romania’s emergency healthcare system operates through a network of hospital emergency departments (Unități de Primiri Urgențe — UPU), ambulance services (Serviciul de Ambulanță), and the national emergency telephone number 112.

Calling 112. The pan-European emergency number 112 works throughout Romania for medical emergencies, fire, and police. Operators can typically handle calls in Romanian and English. When calling for a medical emergency, provide the location, the nature of the emergency, and the number of persons affected. An ambulance will be dispatched.

Hospital emergency departments. All major hospitals have emergency departments that are legally obligated to provide emergency treatment to any person regardless of nationality, insurance status, or ability to pay. In Bucharest and other large cities, several public hospital emergency departments — including Floreasca Emergency Hospital, Fundeni Clinical Institute, and Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital — are experienced, well-equipped facilities that handle trauma, cardiac emergencies, stroke, and other acute conditions at a high standard. Waiting times in emergency departments can be long for non-critical cases, as triage protocols prioritise life-threatening conditions.

Private emergency services. Several private hospital groups in Bucharest and other cities operate their own emergency or urgent-care departments, which offer faster access for non-life-threatening emergencies but require private insurance or out-of-pocket payment. For foreign residents with private health insurance, the insurer typically has a designated network of private hospitals for emergency and urgent care.

Ambulance services. Public ambulance services (SMURD — Serviciul Mobil de Urgență, Reanimare și Descarcerare, and SAJ — Serviciul de Ambulanță Județean) respond to 112 calls. SMURD, a joint medical-fire service, is particularly well-regarded and operates advanced life-support units, helicopters, and mobile ICU vehicles in many parts of the country. Private ambulance services also exist and can be called directly for non-emergency medical transport.

Accessing Healthcare as a Foreign Resident: Practical Steps

1. Register with a family doctor (medic de familie). Insured residents — including foreign nationals paying CASS — are entitled to register with a family doctor (general practitioner). The family doctor is the entry point to the public healthcare system: routine consultations, prescriptions, referrals to specialists, sick-leave certificates, and preventive check-ups all begin here. Registration is done at the family doctor’s office with your identity document, residence permit, and proof of CASS insurance status. Some family doctors have waiting lists; others accept new patients readily. In practice, many foreign residents rely primarily on private clinics for day-to-day healthcare and use the family doctor registration mainly for administrative purposes (sick leave, prescriptions, referrals within the public system).

2. Obtain your health insurance card (card de asigurat). Once registered in the Romanian health insurance system, the insured person receives a health insurance card (card de asigurat / card european de sănătate) that is presented when accessing public healthcare services. The card verifies insurance status electronically. Foreign nationals sometimes experience delays in card issuance — carrying proof of CASS payment and employer registration can help in the interim.

3. Choose private healthcare providers. If you have private health insurance, familiarise yourself with the insurer’s network of approved clinics, hospitals, and specialists. Most private insurers have online directories and mobile apps showing network providers, and many offer direct billing (the clinic bills the insurer directly, rather than the patient paying and claiming reimbursement). Bucharest has the widest choice of private providers, but all major Romanian cities now have well-equipped private clinics.

4. Arrange dental care. Dental care in the public system is very limited — most dental treatment in Romania is provided privately. Private dental clinics are widely available, competitively priced, and often of excellent quality. If dental care is important to you, ensure your private health insurance includes dental coverage, or budget for out-of-pocket dental expenses.

5. Understand prescription medicines. Pharmacies (farmacii) are widely available throughout Romania, including 24-hour pharmacies in all major cities. Many common medicines are available over the counter without a prescription. For prescription medicines, a doctor’s prescription is required — issued either by a family doctor, a specialist, or a private-sector physician. Insured patients benefit from subsidised pricing on medicines included in the national reimbursement list; uninsured patients or those purchasing non-reimbursed medicines pay the full retail price, which is still generally lower than in Western Europe.

Healthcare Costs in Romania

One of Romania’s most significant advantages for foreign residents is the affordability of healthcare — both in the public and private sectors. While quality varies, costs are consistently and substantially lower than in Western Europe, North America, or other high-income countries.

The Growing Wellness and Preventive Medicine Sector

Romania’s healthcare landscape in 2026 includes a rapidly expanding wellness and preventive medicine sector that reflects broader European and global trends. Private clinics offering integrative and preventive health services have proliferated, particularly in Bucharest, and increasingly in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and other major cities.

The sector encompasses a wide range of services: comprehensive health screenings and executive check-ups, personalised nutrition programmes based on microbiome testing and genetic analysis, IV vitamin and nutrient infusion therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, hormonal health assessment and bioidentical hormone therapy, anti-ageing and longevity protocols, sports medicine and performance optimisation, and mental health and stress management programmes.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has attracted particular attention in Romania, where a domestic manufacturer produces hyperbaric chambers that are exported internationally to professional athletes, celebrities, and medical facilities worldwide. The therapy — which involves breathing pure oxygen at elevated atmospheric pressure to enhance cellular oxygenation — is used for post-surgical recovery, wound healing, sports performance, neurological rehabilitation, and general wellness. Several Romanian clinics have integrated hyperbaric therapy into broader treatment protocols alongside conventional medical care.

For foreign residents and business travellers, Romania’s wellness sector offers an unusual value proposition: access to cutting-edge preventive and integrative health services at prices that are a fraction of what equivalent services cost in Western Europe, the United States, or the Gulf states. A comprehensive executive health screening that might cost €3,000–5,000 in Germany or Switzerland can typically be completed for €500–1,000 in a well-equipped Romanian private clinic.

Common Healthcare Mistakes Foreign Residents Make

• • Not registering for health insurance. Some foreign residents — particularly company owners and self-employed individuals — fail to register for CASS or obtain private health insurance, assuming they can simply pay out of pocket if needed. This works for routine private consultations but creates serious problems in the event of a major medical emergency, hospitalisation, or chronic condition. Ensure you have either CASS coverage, private insurance, or both.
• • Relying solely on the EHIC. EU citizens sometimes assume that the European Health Insurance Card provides comprehensive long-term coverage. It does not. The EHIC is designed for temporary stays and covers only medically necessary public healthcare. Long-term EU residents must register in Romania’s national health insurance system and contribute CASS.
• • Not registering with a family doctor. Even if you use private clinics for most of your healthcare needs, registering with a public-system family doctor is important for administrative purposes — sick-leave certificates, subsidised prescriptions, specialist referrals within the public system, and documentation that may be required by employers or authorities.
• • Ignoring dental care. Romania’s public dental coverage is minimal. Foreign residents who do not arrange private dental care — either through insurance or out-of-pocket — risk neglecting preventive dental hygiene and facing larger, more expensive problems later. Romania’s private dental sector is affordable and high-quality — use it.
• • Not carrying insurance documentation. When visiting a healthcare provider — whether public or private — always carry your health insurance card, private insurance policy card, passport or residence permit, and any relevant medical records. Not having documentation can cause delays, denied coverage, or unnecessary out-of-pocket payments.
• • Underestimating language barriers. While many private-sector doctors in Bucharest and major cities speak English, this is not universal — particularly in the public system and in smaller cities. If you do not speak Romanian, confirm in advance that English-speaking staff are available at the facility you plan to visit, or arrange for interpretation.
• • Failing to schedule preventive screenings. Romania’s system does not proactively schedule preventive check-ups for adults the way some Western European systems do. If you are accustomed to receiving screening reminders from your home-country healthcare provider, you will need to take the initiative yourself in Romania. Regular blood panels, cancer screenings appropriate to your age and gender, cardiovascular checks, and dental examinations should be scheduled proactively.
• • Assuming all private clinics are equal. Romania’s private healthcare sector ranges from world-class facilities with internationally trained specialists to smaller clinics with less experience and lower standards. Research providers before choosing, ask for recommendations from other foreign residents, and verify the qualifications and track record of any specialist before undergoing procedures — particularly for surgery, dental implants, or complex treatments.

Healthcare Checklist for Foreign Residents

1. Confirm your CASS status. If employed, verify that your employer is deducting CASS contributions. If self-employed or a company owner, ensure CASS is being declared and paid correctly through your accountant. If you have an S1 form from another EU country, register it with the Romanian county health insurance house.
2. Obtain private health insurance. Research and purchase a private health insurance policy that covers the services you need — specialist consultations, diagnostics, hospitalisation, dental care, and emergency evacuation if relevant. Consider arranging coverage through your Romanian SRL for tax efficiency.
3. Register with a family doctor. Choose a family doctor in your area and register. Ask other foreign residents or your company’s HR department for recommendations.
4. Identify your private healthcare providers. Research private clinics and hospitals in your city. Bookmark the ones your insurance covers. Identify English-speaking doctors for the specialties you might need.
5. Locate your nearest emergency department. Know the location of the nearest public hospital emergency department (UPU) and the nearest private urgent-care facility. Save the 112 emergency number and your insurer’s assistance hotline in your phone.
6. Find a 24-hour pharmacy. Identify the nearest 24-hour pharmacy (farmacie non-stop) to your home and office. In Bucharest and major cities, 24-hour pharmacies are widely available.
7. Schedule a baseline health check. Shortly after arriving in Romania, schedule a comprehensive health screening at a private clinic — blood panel, cardiovascular check, age-appropriate cancer screenings. Establish a baseline and set a schedule for regular follow-ups.
8. Arrange dental care. Find a private dental clinic, schedule a check-up and cleaning, and establish a regular dental hygiene routine.
9. Carry documentation. Keep your health insurance card, private insurance card, passport or residence permit, and a summary of any relevant medical history accessible at all times.
10. Stay informed. Healthcare regulations, insurance requirements, and available services change. Your accountant, lawyer, or business service provider can help you stay current with CASS obligations and insurance options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Healthcare is one of the most personal and immediately practical concerns for any foreign national living in Romania. The system is imperfect — the public sector struggles with funding and staffing, preventive medicine and early diagnosis remain underdeveloped, and navigating the bureaucracy of CASS registration can be frustrating. But the system is also improving, and the private sector now offers a genuinely strong alternative: modern facilities, well-trained doctors, competitive prices, and an expanding range of services from conventional specialist care through dental treatment to cutting-edge wellness and longevity medicine.

The foreign residents who manage healthcare well in Romania are those who take a proactive approach: registering for CASS to satisfy legal requirements, obtaining private health insurance for practical access to the private clinic network, scheduling regular preventive check-ups on their own initiative, and building a personal network of trusted healthcare providers. The cost of this approach is modest by international standards. The cost of neglecting it — discovering a health problem too late, facing an emergency without insurance, or struggling to access care in a system you do not understand — is not.

ROMANIA FOR BUSINESS SRL provides the administrative and legal support that foreign residents need to ensure their healthcare access is properly structured from day one — CASS compliance, private insurance coordination, company-level health benefits, and ongoing advisory as the rules evolve. For a consultation, contact us at office@romania-for-business.com or visit romania-for-business.com.

Methodology and data note

Healthcare procedures, insurance requirements, costs, and regulatory information described in this guide reflect conditions in Romania as of mid-2026. Romania revises healthcare regulations, insurance thresholds, and fee structures regularly. Healthcare costs vary significantly by provider, location, procedure, and insurance status. Exchange-rate conversions use the approximate rate of 1 euro ≈ 5 Romanian lei. This material is for information only and does not constitute medical, legal, or insurance advice.