English guide
Healthcare in Romania, explained clearly
A short, practical overview for foreigners — how the system works, what documents you need, and when to choose a clinic over a hospital.
Emergency? Call 112. Emergency rooms treat everyone regardless of insurance status.
Public vs. private care
This is the first decision that shapes everything else — documents, cost, waiting time, and whether you need a referral.
Public system (CNAS)
Funded by national insurance. Slower, more paperwork, but consultations, tests, and hospital stays can be subsidized or free. You usually need a family doctor and referral notes.
Private system
Pay directly, book directly. Faster and simpler — no referral needed. For many newcomers this is the easiest starting point while sorting out insurance and paperwork.
These two systems are not always separate. Many private clinics in Romania have contracts with CNAS, meaning you can receive publicly funded care in a private setting. This is very common — and for newcomers, it often combines the best of both: the accessibility of private care with the cost benefits of public insurance.
Clinic or hospital?
Many people lose time going to the wrong one. The distinction is simple:
- Clinics are where you go for most planned care — a consultation with a specialist, a follow-up, a prescription renewal, blood tests, or a referral to someone else. Think of them as the everyday part of the system.
- Hospitals handle what clinics cannot — emergencies, surgeries, inpatient stays, and complex investigations that require heavier equipment or overnight monitoring.
Your family doctor (medic de familie)
If you plan to use the public system at all, registering with a family doctor is one of the most important things you can do in Romania. They are the gatekeeper to almost everything else.
Why it matters
In Romania, you cannot access most publicly funded specialist care without a referral note (bilet de trimitere) from your family doctor. This includes consultations, lab tests, imaging, and non-emergency hospital admissions. They also issue compensated prescriptions — medicines at reduced prices — and sick leave certificates. Without a family doctor, your options in the public system are essentially limited to emergency rooms.
How to register
You choose a family doctor and register on their patient list. You'll need your ID or passport with your CNP (personal identification number), proof of health insurance from CNAS, and your residence permit if you're a non-EU citizen. The registration form is provided by the doctor's office. Once registered, you must stay on that doctor's list for at least six months before transferring.
The practical challenge for newcomers
In cities like Bucharest, many family doctors have full patient lists and are not accepting new patients. Language can also be a barrier — most public practices operate only in Romanian. This is where private clinics can help: some private clinics have family doctors with CNAS contracts, meaning you get the same publicly funded services (free consultations, referrals, compensated prescriptions) but in a setting that may be more accessible and organized for someone new to the country.
At Prevencia, you can register with a family doctor who works within the public insurance system. This means you get CNAS-covered consultations, referrals, and prescriptions — all through a private clinic with online booking and multilingual support.
One more thing about referrals
A referral from your family doctor gets you to a specialist, but for subsidized lab tests or imaging, the provider also needs a contract with the insurance system. Not every lab or clinic accepts CNAS referrals — check before booking.
What to bring
Most wasted visits happen because of missing paperwork, not the wrong doctor.
- Passport or ID — plus residence permit and CNP if you have them
- Insurance proof — health card, EHIC, active insurance certificate, or status-based documents
- Referral note — if using the public route for specialist care or tests
- Previous results — discharge papers, prescriptions, current medication list
Common situations
Your legal and insurance status changes which route you can take.
Frequently asked questions
Need a doctor? Book at Prevencia.
Multiple locations in Bucharest, online booking, clear pricing. If you're not sure whether to go public or private, a consultation here is a good first step.
Official resources
Rules can change. These are the primary sources worth checking.
This guide is for orientation only, not legal advice. Healthcare access depends on your specific status, insurance, and provider contracts. For unusual cases, confirm the current rules with CNAS, IGI, or the relevant insurer before relying on a specific route.