Health issues in Romania
Medical Facilities and Health Information: Medical care in Romania is generally not up to Western standards, and basic medical supplies are limited, especially outside major cities. Some medical providers that meet Western quality standards are available in Bucharest and other cities but can be difficult to identify and locate. Travelers seeking medical treatment should therefore choose their provider carefully. The Embassy maintains the following list of hospitals and physicians (PDF - 101kb) in Romania. The U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by the medical professionals, medical facilities or air ambulance services whose names appear on the following lists. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured in Romania, a U. S. consular officer can assist in locating medical services and informing family or friends. If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States. However, payment of hospital and all expenses is the responsibility of the traveler. U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. Additional information on health issues, medical insurance and medical evacuation is available on the website of the Department of State.
Please note that 112 (the European equivalent of 911) is the emergency telephone number that can be dialed free of charge from any telephone or any mobile phone in order to reach emergency services (Ambulances, Fire & Rescue Service and the Police) in Romania as well as other countries of the European Union. We urge you to set up an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact or note on your mobile phone or other portable electronics (such as Ipods), to enable first respondersto get in touch with the person(s) you designated as your emergency contact(s).
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Romania.
General guidance on vaccinations and other health precautions may be found on the Travelers’ Health page of the Centers for Disease Control CDC’s web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization website.
Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
Americans who wish to extend their stay in Romania must present proof of health insurance that applies overseas for the duration of their intended stay in Romania. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided on the Department of State's web page, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.
Bringing Medications or Filling Prescriptions Abroad: A US citizen traveling to Romania with a preexisting medical problem should carry a prescription or a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled.
A reasonable supply of medicines for personal use may be brought into the country in your hand luggage. If you are planning to order medicines by mail, you should be aware that the postal offices will only release the medicines to you upon presentation of a prescription issued less than six months prior. Please inquire about prohibited items in Romania before placing your order. Among the prohibited items are human plasma, plasma derivates, psycho-pharmaceuticals (psychotropics) and narcotics.
Information on filling a prescription abroad and other health issues may be found at Medical Information for Americans Abroad.
Traveling With Disabilities: Information for travelers with disabilities is available in the “Special Circumstances - Accesibility” section of the Country Specific Information for Romania, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1004.html. Service dogs are permitted, but must clearly identifiable by microchip or a readable tattoo and must have proof of vaccination (a pet “passport” or a type of vaccination card that indicates the type of vaccines received and their validity). Be aware that there are many public places do not allow service dogs. Talk with your vet about tips for traveling with a dog, and how travel will affect the animal. You may also want to ensure that hotels will accommodate your service dog, and that there will be adequate areas for your dog.
Travelers with disabilities should also review the Department of Transportation pamphlets New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability and Plane Talk: Facts for Passengers With Disabilities. Both of these publications are available at the Department of Transportation’s website http://www.dot.gov. In addition, travelers with disabilities should review the information contained Tips for Traveling Abroad, and discuss the trip with a physician.