Romania – Prescriptions and Medications

What are pharmacies called in Romania, and how do I recognise one?

In Romanian, a pharmacy is referred to as a farmacie, and you will almost always spot one by the green cross displayed against a white background on its signage. This emblem is the standard symbol used by pharmacies throughout Europe, and the word Farmacie will typically appear prominently on the shopfront alongside it, making these outlets straightforward to identify.

Romania’s pharmacy sector is both large and competitive. As of November 2025, more than 10,400 verified pharmacy locations operate across the country. Prominent chains you are likely to encounter include Catena, Dr. Max, Help Net, Sensiblu, and Dona — the fourth largest pharmaceutical network after Catena, Dr. Max/Sensiblu, and Help Net. Independent pharmacies are also widespread, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas.

The majority of prescription and over-the-counter medicines are stocked in Romanian pharmacies, although some products may be sold under trade names that differ from those you are familiar with at home. If you are searching for a particular brand, it is worth discussing this with the pharmacist, since the same formulation may exist locally under a different product name.

What are pharmacy opening hours in Romania?

Standard pharmacy hours in Romania run Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 20:00. On Saturdays most pharmacies are open from 08:00 until 14:00, while Sunday trading is either absent or limited to reduced hours. Actual hours vary from one pharmacy to another and by location, so it is sensible to confirm opening times in advance — particularly if you anticipate needing medication at the weekend.

In larger cities, including Bucharest, a number of pharmacies operate around the clock every day of the week, which is especially useful when urgent medication is needed outside normal hours. Beyond these permanent 24-hour outlets, most cities and larger towns operate a farmacie de gardă (duty pharmacy) system, whereby pharmacies take turns providing late-night or overnight cover on a rotating schedule.

If you need medicine when pharmacies are ordinarily closed, the most practical approach is to look up the nearest round-the-clock pharmacy or find out which outlet is currently on duty. Many local councils and regional health authorities publish duty pharmacy rotas on their websites, and pharmacies typically display a notice in their window directing customers to the nearest open alternative.

Which medicines can I buy over the counter in Romania, and which require a prescription?

Romania distinguishes between medicines that can be purchased freely and those that require a doctor’s prescription. Many everyday products — including painkillers, cough remedies, antihistamines for allergies, basic contraceptives, vitamins, and wound care supplies — are available over the counter at most pharmacies without any paperwork.

However, the boundary between prescription-only and freely available medicines does not always align with what you may be used to elsewhere. As of 2024, all antibiotics in Romania require a prescription, and certain pain relievers that are sold in stronger formulations over the counter in other countries may also be prescription-only here. This is a meaningful distinction for newcomers accustomed to obtaining antibiotics or more potent analgesics without a prescription in their home country.

Because the rules can catch people off guard, it is always worth asking the pharmacist before attempting to purchase any medicine — particularly if you are unsure about the correct dosage or possible side effects.

Legal online pharmacies are another option in Romania. Several registered platforms offer home delivery of both over-the-counter and, where applicable, prescription medicines. It is important to exercise caution: always confirm that any online pharmacy you use is authorised and registered with the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ANMDM), a public institution under the Ministry of Health that oversees the entire Romanian pharmaceutical market. Buying prescription medicines from unregistered foreign online sources is illegal and poses genuine health risks. The ANMDM publishes its official list of authorised online pharmacies on its website.

Will my prescription from another country be accepted in Romania?

As a general principle, Romanian pharmacies will not dispense prescription medicines solely on the strength of a foreign prescription. In order to have medication dispensed — and potentially subsidised — you will ordinarily need a Romanian prescription issued by a physician contracted to the Romanian health insurance system.

EU and EEA residents who hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have a useful starting point for shorter stays in Romania of under six months. The EHIC entitles the holder to state-provided healthcare on the same basis as insured Romanian residents during a temporary visit, which in practice means you can consult a doctor and obtain a locally valid prescription. For those planning a longer-term stay, however, the EHIC is no substitute for full enrolment in the Romanian public insurance system.

Whatever your situation, keeping your medicines in their original packaging and carrying your home prescription will prove valuable. While a foreign prescription will not typically be accepted at the pharmacy counter directly, it serves as useful supporting evidence when you consult a Romanian GP, enabling them to verify your existing treatment and issue a local prescription without delay.

For newly arrived expats, the most practical first step is to register with a Romanian family doctor (medic de familie), discuss your current treatments, and obtain a prescription valid within the Romanian system. If speed is a priority, private clinics offer consultations with no prior registration requirement and typically arrange appointments much more quickly.

How do I get a prescription in Romania?

Obtaining a prescription in Romania follows a reasonably clear process, though the precise route differs depending on whether you access care through the public insurance system or a private provider.

1. Register with a family doctor (medic de familie). If you are enrolled in the CNAS public system, you must choose and register with a local GP in your area. The National Health Insurance House (Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate, CNAS) operates nationally and coordinates the activities of 43 regional health insurance houses. Your registered family doctor is your primary contact for non-emergency prescriptions.
2. Book and attend an appointment. Arrange a consultation to discuss your condition or ongoing treatment. Bring any relevant medical records, previous prescriptions, or documentation from your home country to help the doctor understand your medical history.
3. Receive your prescription. Once the doctor determines that a prescription medicine is appropriate, they will issue a prescription. Romania operates an electronic prescribing system (prescripție electronică), meaning that in many cases the prescription is transmitted digitally and you simply present your insurance card or identity document when collecting from the pharmacy.
4. Take the prescription to any pharmacy. Unlike some healthcare systems where a prescription is tied to a specific outlet, Romanian prescriptions can ordinarily be filled at any contracted community pharmacy across the country.
5. Pay any applicable co-payment. Present your health insurance details at the counter. Insured patients pay a co-payment determined by the medicine’s reimbursement category. Prescriptions are generally valid for up to three months. If you do not hold Romanian health insurance, you will be required to pay the full retail price of the medication.

If you have not yet completed CNAS enrolment or would prefer a faster appointment, private clinics and GP practices are available in all major cities and many smaller towns. Private doctors can write valid prescriptions, though whether these attract a co-payment subsidy depends on whether the prescribing doctor holds a contract with CNAS.

How much do prescriptions cost in Romania, and is there a subsidised medicines scheme?

Rather than charging a single flat dispensing fee, Romania operates a tiered co-payment system for prescription medicines. The proportion of the cost you pay depends on both the specific medicine in question and your insurance status. This contrasts with flat-fee models — such as the standard NHS prescription charge in England — where you pay the same fixed amount regardless of the medicine’s actual price.

Government Decision No. 720/2008 approves the list of international non-proprietary names corresponding to medicines from which insured persons benefit, with or without personal contribution, based on medical prescription, in the social health insurance system. The Decision also addresses international non-proprietary names corresponding to medicinal products granted under national health programmes — the INN reimbursement list.

As of 2024, reimbursed medicines are grouped into categories. Medicines listed on lists A, B, C3, and D are cheaper medicines: for a patient who received medication from list A (90% reimbursement), less than 100 lei was paid in 2022, and for a patient who received medication from list B (50% reimbursement), less than 150 lei was paid. For social categories such as pupils, students, pregnant women, and disabled people (list C3, 100% reimbursement), less than 250 lei per patient was paid. These figures are illustrative; always verify current charges via the CNAS website or the Romanian Ministry of Health.

Patients without Romanian health insurance must pay the full cost of their medication. It is advisable to ask the pharmacist in advance for a price estimate, as out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines in Romania can be substantial. Even for insured patients, significant co-payment obligations — especially for outpatient medicines — can place a strain on household budgets.

Romania does not currently operate an annual prepayment certificate scheme equivalent to the UK’s PPC, which caps out-of-pocket prescription costs over a year. Always confirm the most up-to-date reimbursement list with CNAS or your pharmacist directly, since the list is revised periodically in response to changing needs.

Are brand-name and generic medicines both available in Romania?

Both originator brand-name medicines and generics are stocked in Romanian pharmacies, and the country has a sizeable domestic generic manufacturing industry. Most common prescription and over-the-counter products are available, but if you rely on a particular brand, it is wise to bring an adequate supply from home, as generics may be the only readily available option locally.

Under Romanian prescribing practice, doctors write prescriptions using the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) — that is, the generic active ingredient name — except for biologic medicines, which must be prescribed by brand name. In most cases, therefore, your doctor will name the active ingredient on the prescription, and the pharmacist will present you with one or more products containing that ingredient at varying price points. Generic versions are generally considerably less expensive than their branded equivalents.

The availability of generic alternatives plays a meaningful role in overall medicine costs, and the reimbursement system is linked to the INN, meaning the subsidy applies equally to any approved generic version of a reimbursed medicine. If you have a strong preference for a particular brand, it is worth asking the pharmacist whether it is in stock or can be ordered, though availability cannot always be guaranteed.

What should expats know about bringing medications into Romania from abroad?

If you are moving to Romania and intend to bring an existing supply of your medicines with you, there are several important rules and practical points to bear in mind before you travel.

Romania enforces strict regulations on the importation and exportation of a range of items, including firearms, drugs, antiquities, local currency, and gold jewellery. For specific information on customs requirements, contact the Romanian Customs Office directly. As a member of both the EU and the Schengen Area, Romania applies EU rules governing the movement of medicines for personal use. Travellers are generally permitted to bring a reasonable personal supply — typically up to 90 days’ worth for most prescription medicines — provided they carry appropriate supporting documentation.

Keeping all medicines in their original, labelled packaging and travelling with a copy of your prescription will help you avoid difficulties at customs and will assist any pharmacist or physician you consult after arrival. For controlled substances — such as opioid analgesics, strong benzodiazepines, or stimulants prescribed for conditions like ADHD — additional documentation or a formal import permit may be required. If you have any doubt, contact the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country well before you depart.

It is strongly advisable to obtain a letter from your prescribing doctor at home — translated into Romanian where possible — explaining your diagnosis, the name of the medicine (both brand name and INN generic name), dosage, and the clinical reason for the treatment. Ensure pharmacy dispensing labels remain intact on all packaging. Because regulations governing controlled substance imports are subject to revision, always confirm the current requirements with the Romanian Customs Authority (Autoritatea Vamală Română) or the ANMDM ahead of travel.

How do private health insurance and public healthcare affect prescription costs in Romania?

Romania’s public health insurance is administered by the National Health Insurance House (known in Romanian as CNAS). Expats relocating to Romania are eligible to join this public scheme and can receive discounted or fully covered health services from public providers. Access to the system and its medicine subsidies is contingent on making contributions to the social security system.

If you are employed by a Romanian company, your employer will automatically deduct 5.5% of your salary for social security contributions and will make a further 5.2% employer contribution on your behalf. If you are self-employed or not in employment, you may make voluntary contributions to qualify for public health insurance. This requires submitting your tax declaration to the tax authority (ANAF) and arranging the relevant social security payments.

This model differs considerably from fully tax-funded systems such as the UK’s NHS or Australia’s Medicare, where residency — and in some cases citizenship — may be sufficient to access subsidised prescriptions without contribution-based enrolment. In Romania, entitlement to subsidised medicines is explicitly conditional on active CNAS enrolment and an up-to-date contribution record. While the state health insurance scheme offers a broad benefits package for enrolled individuals, uninsured persons can access only a narrow set of services.

Many expats use both systems in parallel: CNAS for foundational coverage and private insurance for convenience and enhanced quality of care. Private health insurance typically costs approximately €300–1,000 per year depending on the level of cover. Policies vary widely, but many include outpatient prescription benefits — either offsetting the co-payment left uncovered by CNAS or covering medicines in full when obtained through a private clinic or pharmacy. Non-EU expats intending to stay in Romania for an extended period are required to hold proof of private health insurance.

Once enrolled with CNAS, you will generally need to pay only a modest co-payment for prescription medicines, the exact amount depending on the medicine’s reimbursement category and your insurance arrangement. While your CNAS enrolment is still being processed, private insurance or direct out-of-pocket payment will be needed to cover any prescriptions you require in the interim.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do in a medical emergency in Romania?

Romania’s single emergency number is 112, which connects callers to police, fire, and ambulance services. Public hospital emergency departments are obliged to provide treatment to all patients regardless of their insurance status. In larger cities, private hospital emergency units are also available and may provide quicker access to care along with more multilingual staff.

How can I find a pharmacist who speaks a language other than Romanian?

In major urban centres such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Brașov, it is quite common to encounter pharmacists with a working knowledge of English or other languages. Branches of large pharmacy chains located in shopping centres or tourist areas are generally your best starting point. Where a language barrier does arise, the International Non-proprietary Name (INN) — the generic active ingredient name printed on every medicine’s packaging — is understood by pharmacists across the EU. A translation app on your smartphone can also prove extremely helpful in these situations.

How do I manage a chronic condition during the period before my CNAS registration is complete?

The CNAS enrolment process can take a number of weeks to complete. In the meantime, you have two realistic options: bring a sufficient supply of your existing medicines from your home country to cover the transition period, or visit a private doctor who can issue a private prescription that you then fill at full cost. Taking out comprehensive private international health insurance before you relocate is the most dependable way to ensure you can access your medication without interruption from the moment you arrive.

Can I order prescription medicines online from a foreign pharmacy and have them shipped to Romania?

Importing prescription medicines ordered from foreign online pharmacies into Romania is generally not permitted and carries serious legal and safety risks. EU rules do allow licensed online pharmacies within EU member states to sell non-prescription medicines to consumers elsewhere in the EU, but prescription medicines must be dispensed against a valid local prescription from a pharmacy registered in Romania. Always use outlets that are authorised and registered with the ANMDM. The ANMDM website maintains an official list of authorised online pharmacies operating in Romania.

Are there medicines freely available in Romania that require a prescription elsewhere?

The over-the-counter and prescription-only classifications in Romania do not always mirror those in other countries. Some products that require a prescription under stricter regulatory regimes may be available without one in Romania, though this gap has narrowed considerably as the country has aligned with EU pharmaceutical regulations. As of 2024, all antibiotics require a prescription in Romania, and higher-dose pain relievers that may be freely purchased elsewhere can also be prescription-only here. When in doubt, always consult the pharmacist before purchasing any medicine.

What documentation do I need to bring prescription medicines into Romania when I first move?

All medicines should travel in their original, clearly labelled packaging, with pharmacy dispensing labels left intact. Carry a letter from your prescribing doctor setting out your diagnosis, the medicine’s brand name and INN generic name, the dosage, and the clinical reason for the treatment. Having a copy of the prescription itself is also advisable. For controlled substances, contact the Romanian embassy in your country and the ANMDM well ahead of your travel date to establish whether a formal import permit is necessary, as requirements are subject to change.

Will my EHIC or European health certificate cover prescriptions in Romania?

To be eligible for the EHIC, you must be a legal resident of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, and be covered by that country’s social security system. The EHIC is a practical option for stays in Romania of less than six months, entitling you to necessary medical care — which may include some prescriptions — on the same terms as insured Romanian residents. If you plan to live in Romania for a longer period, enrolling in CNAS or taking out a comprehensive private insurance plan will provide more suitable ongoing coverage.

How do I find out whether a specific medicine is on Romania’s reimbursement list?

The reimbursement list, established under Government Decision No. 720/2008 and updated periodically, is publicly accessible. It sets out the international non-proprietary names of medicines from which insured persons benefit, with or without a personal contribution, on the basis of a medical prescription within the social health insurance system. You can consult the current list through the CNAS website, or ask your pharmacist or family doctor to confirm whether a given medicine is subsidised and at what rate. Your prescribing physician will generally know which formulations attract the most favourable reimbursement.