Health, vaccinations and medical care in Romania

Cover

• EU and EEA visitors: carry your EHIC. It gives access to state healthcare on the same terms as a resident.
• UK visitors: the GHIC does the same job. Neither card is travel insurance, and neither covers repatriation or a private clinic.
• Travel insurance still matters for anything the state system does not cover.
• Private clinics in the cities are inexpensive and fast by western European standards, and are what many Romanians use.

Ticks and rabies

• Tick-borne encephalitis is present in Romanian forests, and the season runs roughly April to October. The vaccine is worth discussing if you are hiking or camping.
• Rabies exists in wildlife and in stray dogs. Do not approach stray animals, and seek treatment immediately after any bite or scratch - post-exposure treatment is effective but time-critical.
• Stray dogs are less of a problem than they were but are still around outside the cities.

Everyday health

• Tap water is safe in cities and generally safe elsewhere; in villages with private wells, ask.
• Pharmacies (farmacie) are well stocked and pharmacists advise on minor problems.
• Bring enough prescription medicine for the trip plus a margin, in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.