Romania's elderly care sector faces licensing gaps and rising costs

Recent legislative changes in 2024 tightened licensing for social‑service providers after the high‑profile "azilelor groazei" case. Private elderly‑care centres in Romania are responding by operating under alternative legal codes or sub‑leasing spaces, a practice described as a "gray zone" by industry representatives.

Advocates warn that the sector risks collapse: public homes are oversubscribed and limited to low‑income seniors, while private facilities charge around 6,100 lei per month—far above many pensioners' incomes. Families are left to shoulder the burden of care as state oversight recedes, prompting calls for clearer regulation and affordable solutions.