Healthcare Guide for Expats in Romania
Romania has both public and private healthcare. Here’s how to navigate the system.
Public vs Private Healthcare
| Aspect | Public (CNAS) | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (with insurance) | Pay per visit or insurance |
| Wait times | Can be long | Usually same-day/next-day |
| English | Rare | Common |
| Quality | Variable | Generally high |
| Equipment | Often outdated | Modern |
English-Speaking Doctors & Clinics (Bucharest)
General Practice / Family Medicine
- MedLife – Largest private network, English available
Locations: Grivita, Titan, Floreasca | Tel: 021 9604 - Regina Maria – Premium care, expat-friendly
Locations: Baneasa, Floreasca | Tel: 021 9555 - Sanador – High-end hospital
Location: Sector 2 | Tel: 021 9699 - Medicover – International standard
Multiple locations | Tel: 021 9388
Dental
- Dr. Leahu Dental Clinics – English-speaking, modern | drleahu.ro
- Stomasan – Good reputation
- Dental Premier – Central location
Mental Health (English-speaking)
- Mind Your Health – Therapy in English
- International Psychology Practice
- BetterHelp/Talkspace – Online options
Emergency Services
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| General Emergency | 112 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
| Fire | 112 |
| Police | 112 |
Major Emergency Hospitals (Bucharest)
- Floreasca Emergency Hospital – Calea Floreasca 8
- Bagdasar-Arseni – Neurosurgery specialty
- Elias Hospital – Good reputation
Health Insurance Options
Public Insurance (CNAS)
- Mandatory if employed (10% of salary, split with employer)
- Covers: GP visits, hospitalization, prescriptions (partial), emergencies
- Get a family doctor (medic de familie) to access system
Private Insurance
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Signal Iduna | 100-250 EUR | Comprehensive |
| Allianz-Tiriac | 80-200 EUR | Good network |
| NN Asigurari | 70-180 EUR | Basic to premium |
| Generali | 90-220 EUR | International coverage |
Corporate Plans
Many employers offer private health insurance (Regina Maria, MedLife, Medicover subscriptions). Ask during job negotiations!
Pharmacies (Farmacie)
Major Chains
- Catena – Largest chain, some 24h locations
- Sensiblu – Common in malls
- HelpNet – Good coverage
- Dr. Max – Growing network
24-Hour Pharmacies (Bucharest)
- Catena – Bd. Magheru (Central)
- Sensiblu – Unirea Shopping Center area
- Search “farmacie non-stop” + your area
Vaccinations & Travel Medicine
- Travel clinics: MedLife, Regina Maria offer travel vaccines
- Flu shots: Available at pharmacies (Oct-Dec)
- COVID vaccines: Free at vaccination centers
Tips for Expats
- Register with a family doctor even if using private care
- Keep your EHIC card (EU citizens) as backup
- Private clinics often have English-speaking staff
- Download clinic apps (MedLife, Regina Maria) for easy booking
- Prescriptions from private doctors work at any pharmacy
Last updated: December 2024
