The public healthcare system in Romania is administered by the National Health Insurance House (CNAS - Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate). Access to state healthcare depends primarily on your employment status and legal residency.

How National Health Insurance Works

In Romania, health insurance is largely employment-based. If you are employed legally, your employer is responsible for deducting health insurance contributions (CASS) directly from your salary and registering you with the CNAS.

Once insured, you receive a National Health Card (Cardul Național de Sănătate), which you must present at public hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. The public system covers GP visits, specialist care, hospitalization, and emergency treatments (like PEP). Note that while HIV treatment is fully covered and free, PrEP is currently not reimbursed by CNAS and must be purchased privately.

How Foreigners Can Register

Your pathway to registering with CNAS depends on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU citizen. All local administration is handled by the county-level health insurance house (CAS).

EU/EEA Citizens

  • Short-term stays: You can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medically necessary care under the same terms as Romanian citizens.
  • Long-term stays (Living/Working): After registering your residency (staying over 3 months) with the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), you can join the CNAS system. If you are employed, this is done automatically through your employer. If you are not employed (e.g., student or self-sufficient), you can opt to pay voluntary contributions to your local CAS office or rely on an S1 form if you receive a pension from your home country.

Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens must first secure their legal right to reside in Romania before they can access the public health system.

  • Residency Requirement: To obtain a long-stay visa or residence permit, you generally must show proof of comprehensive private health insurance.
  • Registration: Once you have your residence permit from IGI, you are eligible to join the public system. If you are employed in Romania, your employer will register you and deduct the mandatory contributions.
  • Voluntary Coverage: If you hold a residence permit but are not employed (or are a freelancer), you must go to your county's CAS office to register and pay voluntary monthly contributions out-of-pocket to become insured. Until your National Health Card arrives, the CAS office will issue a certificate (adeverință) proving your coverage.

National Health Hotline

Romania does not have a 24/7 centralized clinical advice hotline like some other EU countries. CNAS provides administrative support numbers.

  • CNAS Headquarters / International Format: +40 372 309 255 (administrative inquiries only)
  • Local CAS Offices: For specific questions about your insurance status or registration, you must contact the local CAS office in your specific county.

The CNAS numbers are for administrative use only. In a medical emergency, you must immediately call the universal European emergency number 112.