European Health Insurance Card guide for travelers

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides insured individuals from Romania with access to necessary medical care during temporary stays abroad. The card is valid in all 27 European Union member states, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Medical services are provided under the same conditions and costs as those applied to insured persons in the host country. However, the card does not guarantee free treatment in all cases, nor does it cover private healthcare services or medical repatriation. It is intended for unplanned, necessary medical care during trips for tourism, professional, family, or study purposes, typically for stays of up to six months. It cannot be used for planned medical treatments.

The card is issued free of charge by the National Health Insurance House. While the physical plastic card usually takes approximately seven working days to be issued and is valid for two years, a temporary replacement certificate can be issued in emergencies. This certificate holds the same legal value and can be sent via fax or email directly to a hospital to ensure medical costs are covered.