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ROMANIA HEALTH INSURANCE

Romania Health Insurance – A Legal Requirement

Health insurance is an important requirement for visa applications, residence permits, work permits, and long-term stay in Romania. It helps applicants demonstrate financial and medical coverage for their stay and may be requested as part of immigration or residency procedures.

Learn about Romania health insurance requirements, valid coverage, required documents, application use, renewal support, and country-specific guidance before applying for a visa or residence permit.

  • Required for Visa & Residence
  • Medical Coverage in Romania
  • Work Permit Support Documents
  • Insurance & Renewal Guidance
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Health Insurance in Romania: A Guide for Foreign Workers

Romania runs a single-payer public health insurance system where access depends on contributing. When you work, a health contribution is deducted from your pay, and you and your registered family are entitled to care in the public network, as evidenced by a national health card. For a foreign worker, the key is making sure the contribution is being paid, because that is what gives you insured status on the same basis as a Romanian citizen. This guide explains how the system works, what it covers, what it costs, and what foreign workers and professional drivers need, including how cover ties in with residence. Romania is in the European Union and joined the Schengen area fully at the start of 2025, but it does not use the euro; its currency is the Romanian leu.

The short version: mandatory health insurance is run by the National Health Insurance House, known by its Romanian initials CNAS, a single public payer under the Ministry of Health. Employees pay a health contribution of ten per cent of income, deducted by the employer; the self-employed pay it through the tax authority. Once insured, you register with a family doctor, receive a national health card, and most public care is covered. The system is among the least well funded in the European Union, so waiting times and older facilities lead many foreign workers to add private cover for speed and English-speaking care.

How health insurance in Romania works

Romania uses a contribution-based single-payer model. The National Health Insurance House is the single public insurer, managing the national health insurance fund through local health insurance houses, under the Ministry of Health, and it contracts hospitals and clinics to provide care. Funding comes from health insurance contributions, known by their Romanian initials CASS: for employees, this is deducted from pay, and the self-employed pay it through the tax authority. Care is organised around the family doctor, your first point of contact, who refers you to specialists and hospital care. Insured people receive a national health card, which you present at the pharmacy and at appointments. A private medical subscription is something different — a prepaid package within a private network, not legally insurance — so it does not replace the public cover.

The types of cover you will come across.

A few kinds of cover sit side by side in Romania. Public insurance through the National Health Insurance House is the statutory layer for people who contribute. Private health insurance, an actual insurance contract, is taken out for faster access and private hospitals. A private medical subscription, offered by large private networks, is a prepaid package of consultations and basic tests—useful, but not insurance and not enough on its own for residency. International health insurance covers you inside Romania and abroad. Because Romania is in the European Union and the European Economic Area, the European Health Insurance Card covers necessary care during a temporary stay — in Romania it has its own national name — the United Kingdom’s Global Health Insurance Card works the same way, and the S1 and S2 forms handle pensioners, postings and planned treatment.

Who actually needs health insurance?

Everyone insured contributes, and the route depends on your status. Employed foreign workers acquire insured status from the moment they are employed under a contract, with the same rights as a Romanian citizen, and the employer withholds and pays the contribution. The self-employed contribute to the tax authority, in practice via the single tax declaration. Certain groups are exempt from paying, including minors, students up to a set age, dependents without income, people with disabilities, patients under national health programmes, and pregnant women. Third-country nationals applying for temporary residence generally need private health insurance to begin with, and once employed they gain insured status. The clearest point for a newcomer is that a private medical subscription is not classed as insurance, so it may not satisfy residence requirements.

What the public system covers

For insured people, cover is broad within the public network: family doctor care, specialist consultations with a referral, hospital treatment, emergency care and reimbursed medicines, across a defined benefits package. The family doctor coordinates your care and is the gateway to specialists. The system’s defining feature is that it is among the least well-funded in the European Union, with public health spending a low share of national income, which feeds longer waiting times, older equipment in places and a shortage of slots with some family doctors. Language can also be a barrier in public facilities outside the big cities. Emergency care is provided through the system, and these pressures are what send many residents to the private sector for quicker, English-speaking treatment.

What it costs

For employees, there is no separate premium—the health contribution is 10 per cent of gross income, deducted automatically from pay. The self-employed pay the same contribution through the tax authority, calculated on a base tied to the minimum wage, which results in an annual amount. Once insured, public care is covered, with medicines reimbursed under the benefits package and some charges for items outside it. On top of the public system, a private medical subscription is inexpensive for faster routine care; private insurance costs more, and comprehensive international plans even more, depending on age and benefits. All amounts are in Romanian lei, since the country does not use the euro. You should budget for any private subscription or cover you choose for faster access.

Why do most foreign workers add private cover?

Public insurance covers the basics of care, but low funding, long waiting times, and language barriers in public facilities lead many foreign workers to add a private layer. Many combine the two—the public system for routine and emergency care and a private subscription or insurance for speed and choice of provider, with English-speaking doctors in large private networks. International cover adds care abroad and emergency medical repatriation. When you compare options, be clear whether you are buying a subscription or actual insurance, and look at what is covered for a hospital stay, the outpatient and dental limits, any waiting periods, and whether pre-existing conditions are excluded. Check what your employer already provides before buying your own, since some employers offer private cover as a benefit.

Health insurance for your residence permit

European Union and European Economic Area citizens registering their residence must show comprehensive health insurance if they are not employed or contributing to the public fund. Third-country nationals applying for temporary residence generally need private health insurance to begin with; once they are employed under a contract, they acquire insured status with the same rights as a citizen. Importantly, a private medical subscription is usually not sufficient for residence, because it is not legally classed as insurance and may not cover hospitalisation. Hence, authorities generally require recognised health insurance. Residence and migration are handled through the General Inspectorate for Immigration. Because the requirements differ by status and can change, always confirm the current rules with the immigration authorities before you apply, and make sure your contributions do not lapse once you are here.

Health insurance for truck and transport drivers

Professional drivers carry more health risks than most workers — long hours at the wheel, time away from home and the constant risk of a road accident. Romania sits on the European Union’s eastern edge, with the Black Sea port of Constanta, the Danube corridor and major routes running west towards Hungary and central Europe and south towards Bulgaria, so many drivers cross frontiers regularly. Public cover and the European Health Insurance Card cover necessary care across the European Union and European Economic Area. Still, it is worth checking on-road emergency cover along the routes you actually drive, accident and injury cover including hospitalisation and rehabilitation, and the occupational-health provisions for the medical examinations a professional licence requires. A private layer that extends beyond Romania adds protection.

Using your insurance day to day

Day to day, you register with a family doctor, who is your first point of contact and the source of referrals to specialists; the national health card you receive as an insured person is shown at appointments and at the pharmacy. To see most specialists, you need a referral, except in emergencies. Prescriptions are filled at the pharmacy, where reimbursed medicines are covered, and you pay any difference. If you use the private sector, you book directly through a subscription or insurance, and the network handles the rest. In an emergency, call 112, the European emergency number; emergency care is provided through the system. Hospitals and specialists are concentrated in Bucharest and the larger cities. Romanian is the official language; English is more common in private clinics and among younger doctors than in smaller public facilities.

Choosing a private insurer

For private cover, first be clear whether you are buying actual insurance or a private medical subscription, since only the former is recognised insurance for residence. Check that the insurer or network operates in Romania and look closely at what is covered: the benefits for a hospital stay, the outpatient and dental limits, and which private hospitals are included. Check the small print on exclusions — pre-existing conditions are the usual gap — and check the waiting periods that apply to planned treatment and maternity. If you need cover for residence, make sure it qualifies as recognised health insurance and covers hospitalisation. If you travel often, make sure cover extends beyond Romania. Check any policy against what your employer might already provide. We do not recommend any particular provider; the aim here is honest, unbiased information so you can choose well.

For professional drivers in Romania

If you are relocating to drive in Romania, make sure your employer registers you and withholds the health contribution. This gives you insured status, helps you register with a family doctor, and consider private cover for faster access and cross-border protection. Every employer on our platform complies with Romanian labour and social insurance law, including the contribution that gives you access to the public health system.

Health insurance by Romanian region

Romania is divided into 41 counties (județe) plus the capital municipality of Bucharest. Each has its own page with local details for this topic, and each is a place where professional drivers are based and hired.

Alba

Alba is a county of Romania, with its seat at Alba Iulia. Driver jobs in Alba.

Arad

Arad is a county of Romania, with its seat at Arad. Driver jobs in Arad.

Argeș

Argeș is a county of Romania, with its seat at Pitești. Driver jobs in Argeș.

Bacău

Bacău is a county of Romania, with its seat at Bacău. Driver jobs in Bacău.

Bihor

Bihor is a county of Romania, with its seat at Oradea. Driver jobs in Bihor.

Bistrița-Năsăud

Bistrița-Năsăud is a county of Romania, with its seat at Bistrița. Driver jobs in Bistrița-Năsăud.

Botoșani

Botoșani is a county of Romania, with its seat at Botoșani. Driver jobs in Botoșani.

Brăila

Brăila is a county of Romania, with its seat at Brăila. Driver jobs in Brăila.

Brașov

Brașov is a county of Romania, with its seat at Brașov. Driver jobs in Brașov.

Buzău

Buzău is a county of Romania, with its seat at Buzău. Driver jobs in Buzău.

Călărași

Călărași is a county of Romania, with its seat at Călărași. Driver jobs in Călărași.

Caraș-Severin

Caraș-Severin is a county of Romania, with its seat at Reșița. Driver jobs in Caraș-Severin.

Cluj

Cluj is a county of Romania, with its seat at Cluj-Napoca. Driver jobs in Cluj.

Constanța

Constanța is a county of Romania, with its seat at Constanța. Driver jobs in Constanța.

Covasna

Covasna is a county of Romania, with its seat at Sfântu Gheorghe. Driver jobs in Covasna.

Dâmbovița

Dâmbovița is a county of Romania, with its seat at Târgoviște. Driver jobs in Dâmbovița.

Dolj

Dolj is a county of Romania, with its seat at Craiova. Driver jobs in Dolj.

Galați

Galați is a county of Romania, with its seat at Galați. Driver jobs in Galați.

Giurgiu

Giurgiu is a county of Romania, with its seat at Giurgiu. Driver jobs in Giurgiu.

Gorj

Gorj is a county of Romania, with its seat at Târgu Jiu. Driver jobs in Gorj.

Harghita

Harghita is a county of Romania, with its seat at Miercurea Ciuc. Driver jobs in Harghita.

Hunedoara

Hunedoara is a county of Romania, with its seat at Deva. Driver jobs in Hunedoara.

Ialomița

Ialomița is a county of Romania, with its seat at Slobozia. Driver jobs in Ialomița.

Iași

Iași is a county of Romania, with its seat at Iași. Driver jobs in Iași.

Ilfov

Ilfov is a county of Romania, with its seat at Buftea. Driver jobs in Ilfov.

Maramureș

Maramureș is a county of Romania, with its seat at Baia Mare. Driver jobs in Maramureș.

Mehedinți

Mehedinți is a county of Romania, with its seat at Drobeta-Turnu Severin. Driver jobs in Mehedinți.

Mureș

Mureș is a county of Romania, with its seat at Târgu Mureș. Driver jobs in Mureș.

Neamț

Neamț is a county of Romania, with its seat at Piatra Neamț. Driver jobs in Neamț.

Olt

Olt is a county of Romania, with its seat at Slatina. Driver jobs in Olt.

Prahova

Prahova is a county of Romania, with its seat at Ploiești. Driver jobs in Prahova.

Sălaj

Sălaj is a county of Romania, with its seat at Zălau. Driver jobs in Sălaj.

Satu Mare

Satu Mare is a county of Romania, with its seat at Satu Mare. Driver jobs in Satu Mare.

Sibiu

Sibiu is a county of Romania, with its seat at Sibiu. Driver jobs in Sibiu.

Suceava

Suceava is a county of Romania, with its seat at Suceava. Driver jobs in Suceava.

Teleorman

Teleorman is a county of Romania, with its seat at Alexandria. Driver jobs in Teleorman.

Timiș

Timiș is a county of Romania, with its seat at Timișoara. Driver jobs in Timiș.

Tulcea

Tulcea is a county of Romania, with its seat at Tulcea. Driver jobs in Tulcea.

Vâlcea

Vâlcea is a county of Romania, with its seat at Râmnicu Vâlcea. Driver jobs in Vâlcea.

Vaslui

Vaslui is a county of Romania, with its seat at Vaslui. Driver jobs in Vaslui.

Vrancea

Vrancea is a county of Romania, with its seat at Focșani. Driver jobs in Vrancea.

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and a municipality with county-level status. Driver jobs in Bucharest.

Related guides

Official government sources

Information only — not legal, medical or insurance advice. Rates, covered services and rules can change. Always confirm current details with the official Romanian authorities above before you act.

Drive Romania. Stay Legally. Belong.

For anyone moving to Romania to drive or work, health insurance is not just paperwork. It keeps you covered on the road, backs up your visa, work permit, and residence permit applications, and for employed drivers it usually begins through your employer’s social security registration when you start work.

FastDriver sets out the cover you are likely to need in Romania, how travel insurance and proper health insurance differ, and what it takes to keep your policy valid — honest, practical guidance for drivers and foreign workers, with no shortcuts or empty promises.

FAQs About Romania Health Insurance

Get clear, accurate answers to the most common questions about health insurance in Romania for foreign workers, professional drivers, expats, and employers.
Is health insurance mandatory in Romania?

Yes, in effect. Access to public healthcare depends on contributing. Employees have the health contribution deducted from pay; the self-employed pay it through the tax authority. Without insured status, you must pay for care.

What is CNAS?

CNAS, the National Health Insurance House, is the single public insurer that runs the national health insurance fund through local houses, under the Ministry of Health. It contracts the hospitals and clinics that provide care.

How much is the contribution?

The health contribution, known by its Romanian initials CASS, is ten per cent of gross income, deducted automatically for employees. The self-employed pay the same contribution through the tax authority, calculated on a base tied to the minimum wage.

What currency is used?

The Romanian leu. Romania is in the European Union but does not use the euro, so contributions, charges and private premiums are quoted in lei.

Is a private medical subscription the same as insurance?

No. A private medical subscription, offered by large private networks, is a prepaid package of consultations and basic tests—useful for faster routine care, but not legally insurance and usually not sufficient on its own for a residence permit.

Do I need a referral to see a specialist?

Usually, yes. Your family doctor is your first point of contact and the gateway to specialists. A referral is needed for most specialist care, except in emergencies.

Does the European Health Insurance Card work in Romania?

Yes, for temporary stays. As an EU and European Economic Area member, Romania accepts the European Health Insurance Card — it has its own national name there — for necessary care, and the United Kingdom’s Global Health Insurance Card works the same way. Residents use the public scheme.

Why do people add private cover?

Because the public system is among the least well funded in the European Union, with longer waits, older equipment in places and a language barrier outside the big cities. Many combine public care with a private subscription or insurance for speed and English-speaking doctors.

Who is exempt from contributing?

Certain groups, including minors, students up to a set age, dependents without income, people with disabilities, patients under national health programmes, and pregnant women. The state covers their coverage.

What do I need for a residence permit?

Recognised health insurance. Third-country nationals generally need private health insurance to begin with, gaining insured status once employed; European Union citizens must show comprehensive insurance if not contributing. A private medical subscription is usually not enough.

What number do I call in an emergency?

Call 112, the European emergency number. Emergency care is provided through the public system.

Can my family be covered?

Yes. Dependent family members without income can be covered, and the state insures several groups. Check the conditions for your family’s situation when you arrange your residence and employment.

Do I get a card?

Yes. Insured people receive a national health card, which you present at appointments and at the pharmacy. It is issued without a separate fee once your contributions are declared.

I am a lorry driver crossing borders — what should I check?

Romania sits on the European Union’s eastern edge with the port of Constanta and routes west and south. Check on-road emergency and accident cover along your routes, hospitalisation and rehabilitation cover, and whether your plan extends beyond Romania for the borders you cross.

Where can I confirm the official rules?

Use the official sources: the National Health Insurance House for cover, the tax authority for contributions, the Ministry of Health for policy, and the General Inspectorate for Immigration for residence. Rules can change, so check before you act.

Is healthcare free in Romania?

Not exactly. Public healthcare in Romania is funded through contributions and taxes, and once you are insured, most treatment is free or low-cost at the point of use. Visitors without cover, and anyone not yet registered, can still be charged, so you should not assume care is automatically free.

How does health insurance work in Romania for foreigners?

Employed foreigners in Romania are usually enrolled in the public health system through their employer and contributions, which opens access to state healthcare. The self-employed register and pay themselves. Anyone not working locally, and most short-term visitors, needs private or travel health insurance instead, and a residence permit often requires proof of cover.

Does US health insurance or Medicare cover Romania?

No. US Medicare rarely pays for care received outside the United States, so it will not cover you in Romania. Most standard US health plans also exclude treatment abroad or offer only limited emergency cover, so if you are coming from the US, take out travel or expatriate health insurance for Romania.

Is healthcare in Romania good?

Healthcare in Romania is generally reliable, with better-equipped hospitals and more specialists in Bucharest and the larger cities than in rural areas. Many foreign workers pair public cover with a private policy to get faster appointments and a wider choice of clinics, and standards vary by region, so it helps to know where your nearest good hospital is.

What cover do retirees and remote workers need in Romania?

Retirees and remote workers who are not employed in Romania are usually not automatically covered by the public system. EU pensioners may be able to use an S1 form or the EHIC for short stays. Still, most people in this position take out private or expatriate health insurance, which is also what a residence permit application will expect to see.

Are there English-speaking doctors in Romania?

In Bucharest and other major cities, you will find English-speaking doctors, particularly in private clinics and international medical centres. In smaller towns and within the public system, it is less common, so a private policy with an English-speaking network can make appointments much easier if your local-language skills are limited.

Does health insurance in Romania cover dental and prescriptions?

Public cover in Romania usually includes prescription medicines at a subsidised price, but dental care is often only partly covered or limited to basic treatment. Many people add a private policy or a dental plan for routine dentistry and a wider range of medicines, so check exactly what your cover includes before you need it.

How do I register with a doctor in Romania?

Once you are covered in Romania, you typically register with a local doctor or clinic who becomes your first point of contact for non-emergency care. Bring your insurance details and identification, and ask your insurer or employer which providers are in the system.

Are pre-existing conditions covered in Romania?

The statutory system in Romania covers pre-existing conditions once you are a member, but private policies may exclude them or charge more, so check the terms. Never leave a known condition undeclared, as it can void a private claim.

Does health cover in Romania include maternity and pregnancy?

Maternity and pregnancy care are generally covered by the statutory system in Romania for members, though private plans vary and may impose waiting periods. Check what antenatal, delivery and postnatal care is included.

Does it cover mental health care in Romania?

Mental health treatment is increasingly included, but the extent varies in Romania between public provision and private policies, and access can involve waiting lists. Check whether therapy, psychiatric care and medication are covered, and any session limits, before you rely on it.

How do prescriptions and pharmacies work in Romania?

Prescriptions in Romania are dispensed at pharmacies, and depending on the system you may pay a fixed charge or a share of the cost, with insurance covering the rest. Keep receipts, since some plans reimburse pharmacy costs you have paid upfront.

What co-payments or charges apply in Romania?

Many systems ask patients to pay a small share of the cost — a co-payment for a visit, prescription or hospital day — even when insured. Check the co-payments that apply in Romania so a bill does not surprise you, and whether an annual cap limits them.

Is dental and optical care included in Romania?

Basic health cover in Romania often includes only limited dental and optical care, with routine dentistry, glasses and lenses frequently needing supplementary insurance. If these matter to you, add a dental or optical extension rather than assuming they are covered.

Can I use health insurance immediately on arrival in Romania?

With an EHIC, you are covered for necessary public care in Romania from arrival, but joining the resident system can take time after you register. Do not travel uninsured expecting instant local cover.

What happens in a medical emergency as a visitor to Romania?

In an emergency in Romania, you go to the nearest hospital and are treated first, then the cost is settled through your insurance. If you are visiting from another EU or EEA country, your EHIC gives you medically necessary public care in Romania at the same cost as a local, but not private treatment or repatriation. Keep your insurer’s assistance number and policy details with you.

How do I claim or get reimbursed in Romania?

Depending on your cover in Romania, the provider may bill your insurer directly, or you pay and claim back with receipts and a medical report. Contact your insurer’s assistance line early, keep all documents, and submit the claim within any deadline.

Can I keep my home-country insurance for Romania?

For a short visit, an international or travel health policy from home can cover you in Romania, provided it names the country and includes repatriation. If you become resident, though, you generally need local cover through the statutory system funded by contributions, usually via your employer or residence.

What is the difference between travel insurance and health insurance for Romania?

Travel insurance covers a temporary trip to Romania — emergencies, cancellation, baggage — while health insurance provides ongoing medical cover for living there. A visitor needs the former; someone relocating needs the latter, and confusing the two leaves a gap.

Do students need special health insurance in Romania?

Students in Romania usually must show health cover for their stay, often through an EHIC for EU students or a local student policy otherwise. Universities and visa rules specify the minimum, so confirm what is accepted before you enrol.

How much does private health insurance cost in Romania?

Private premiums in Romania depend on your age, health, and the level of cover, from basic plans to comprehensive international policies. Get quotes for the cover you actually need, since the cheapest plan may exclude the treatment that matters most.

Can self-employed or freelance workers get health insurance in Romania?

Yes. Self-employed people in Romania join the statutory system by paying their own contributions, or opt for private cover where eligible. Budget for it as a fixed cost of working there.

Does my Romania health insurance cover me when I travel abroad?

Resident cover in Romania may offer limited protection outside the country, and an EHIC only helps within the EU and EEA. For trips further afield, add travel insurance, since a domestic health plan rarely covers full overseas treatment or repatriation.

What happens to my cover if I lose my job in Romania?

In Romania, losing a job does not usually mean losing statutory health cover immediately, as unemployment or continued contributions can maintain it, but check the rules. Avoid a gap, since re-joining can involve waiting periods.

How do I switch health insurers in Romania?

Where Romania allows a choice of funds or private insurers, you can usually switch at set times by giving notice, and cover transfers without a gap. Compare benefits, not just price, before you move.

Does Romania have a national health service?

Yes — Romania has a publicly funded health system that residents contribute to and use, alongside a private sector for faster access or extras. Understand which applies to your status before you rely on it.

Are contributions income-based or flat in Romania?

Statutory contributions in Romania are typically based on your income, shared with your employer, while private premiums are based on risk. Ask for a clear breakdown, so you know your monthly cost.

Does my employer arrange health insurance in Romania?

Employers in Romania usually register staff in the statutory system and deduct contributions from pay, so cover starts with the job. Check your status when you start work.

What documents do I need to get insured in Romania?

To arrange cover in Romania, you typically need identification, proof of residence or your visa, and sometimes employment or income details. Have these ready, as insurers and the local system will ask for them before cover begins.

Do children need separate health insurance in Romania?

Children in Romania are often covered free as dependants under a parent’s statutory cover, though private plans may charge for them. Confirm how family cover works when you insure yourself.

What is not covered by basic health insurance in Romania?

Basic cover in Romania commonly excludes or limits routine dental and optical care, cosmetic treatment, some therapies, and care abroad, with supplementary insurance filling the gaps. Read the policy so you know what you would pay for yourself.

Is ambulance or emergency transport covered in Romania?

Emergency ambulance transport in Romania is generally covered when medically necessary, though a co-payment can apply and rules differ between public and private cover. Confirm the details, since a serious incident may also need evacuation cover.

Can I get treatment before I am registered in Romania?

Emergency care in Romania is provided regardless of registration, with costs settled afterwards through insurance. For routine care, you normally need to be registered and insured first, so complete that as soon as you arrive.

How long does it take to get insured in Romania?

Joining the statutory system in Romania happens through your employer or residence registration and can take a little time to activate. Start the process early to avoid a gap in cover.

Do I need health insurance for a visa or residence permit for Romania?

Yes — proof of health cover is usually required for a long-stay visa or residence permit in Romania, and often for short-stay visas too. Make sure your policy meets the minimum the authorities specify before you apply.

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Romania Health Insurance – Stay Covered

The right cover protects you from high medical costs and meets visa requirements. Compare what visitors and residents need in Romania.

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Last Updated: July 22, 2026
This content is reviewed and updated periodically to maintain accuracy and relevance.

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