🇷🇴 Romania Healthcare Guide
Bucharest's private hospitals — Regina Maria and MedLife in particular — offer modern care at very low cost, and are where most expats and informed visitors head. The public system is more strained, particularly in rural Transylvania and Moldova regions, where equipment shortages and long waits are common — identifying the nearest private clinic to where you're staying before you need one is the most practical preparation.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: universal-public
- Average GP visit: $20 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: Yes
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Romania’s public healthcare is improving but quality varies sharply between Bucharest and rural areas. Private hospitals in Bucharest (MedLife, Regina Maria, Sanador) meet international standards and are affordable by Western European comparison. EHIC covers the public system, but co-payments and administrative processes can be confusing. Rural hospitals, particularly in Moldova and parts of Transylvania, are significantly under-resourced.
Private hospitals in Bucharest
MedLife, Regina Maria, and Sanador in Bucharest offer reliable care with English-speaking staff and online appointment booking.
Rural quality gap
Public hospitals in rural Romania are significantly weaker than Bucharest’s facilities. For non-urgent care, private clinics in the nearest city are the better option.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Romanian pharmacies (farmacie) are widely available in cities and towns, with medications priced among the lowest in the EU. Some brand names follow French pharmaceutical conventions. Carry your full supply of any ongoing medication and bring prescriptions with the international nonproprietary name for refills.
Very low medication prices
Medication prices in Romania are among Europe’s lowest. Generics are widely available and pharmacists can suggest equivalents.
Tips for travellers
Bucharest’s university hospitals (Fundeni, Elias) and private networks (MedLife, Regina Maria) cover most specialist chronic conditions. Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara also have university hospitals with specialist departments. Public specialist wait times can be long, but private options in Bucharest typically book within days. Having your treatment history saved and accessible in Romanian or English helps specialists continue your care.
MedLife and Regina Maria
Both private networks operate specialist clinics across Romania and accept direct bookings from non-residents.