Romania – Maternity and Giving Birth

What maternity care options are available in Romania?

The National Health Insurance House (CNAS) is the body responsible for administering all health and maternity insurance across Romania. The services it funds encompass specialist outpatient consultations, inpatient hospital care, prescribed medication, maternity-specific services, medical devices, and various additional provisions. In practical terms, this means that antenatal check-ups, diagnostic scans, and hospital deliveries are covered for women who hold insured status under the public scheme.

If you are pregnant and intend to deliver in Romania, your first port of call is your GP, who should be informed of the pregnancy as early as possible. Expats who are employed in Romania contribute to the national healthcare system and are entitled to register with a GP of their choosing. Once your pregnancy has been registered with your GP, you will receive a referral to an obstetrician-gynaecologist (OB/GYN). You are free to select any OB/GYN who holds a contract with the hospital in which you plan to give birth.

In contrast to systems such as the UK’s NHS or the midwife-led models prevalent in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, antenatal care in Romania follows a predominantly obstetrician-led pathway. In the vast majority of deliveries — around 95% — a doctor is present, either alone or alongside a midwife. Midwife-only care is not an established route within the Romanian system, although licensed midwives do participate in some births.

Home births and midwife-led deliveries together account for no more than 0.25% of all births in Romania — a strikingly small figure when compared with countries such as the Netherlands, where home birth is a widely accepted and well-supported choice. While home birth is not prohibited in Romania, it is not endorsed by most professional medical bodies, and emergency support infrastructure for managing complications in non-clinical settings is limited.

State-funded public hospitals provide maternity services at little or no cost to Romanian citizens and foreign residents who are paying public health insurance contributions. As an expat employed by a Romanian company, you will be automatically enrolled in the public insurance scheme. Before you can access publicly funded healthcare, however, you should contact the Health Insurance House (CAS) and register with a family physician.

Many expats hold private health insurance — often a condition of their Romanian visa — and such policies typically grant access to private healthcare, allowing them to bypass the public system entirely. Those who are not in employment or have not yet enrolled in the public scheme may pay voluntary contributions to the CAS. Up-to-date enrolment procedures can be found on the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) website.

Certain private hospitals are the only settings in which you can arrange a formal birth plan involving a midwife, the obstetrics team, and the neonatology department together. Private facilities generally offer greater privacy, shorter waiting times, and more modern surroundings, all of which make them attractive to expats and to Romanians seeking a premium standard of care. They also tend to allow more flexibility around birth preferences, enabling parents to personalise their experience to a greater degree.

How much does it cost to give birth in Romania?

Delivery services in Romanian public hospitals are provided free of charge, irrespective of insurance status — this applies in particular to emergency obstetric situations. For women enrolled as insured persons under CNAS, routine antenatal visits, standard scans, and the birth itself are covered, though it is worth being aware that informal additional payments are a well-documented aspect of Romanian public healthcare culture.

Choosing a private hospital for the birth typically costs between €2,500 and €3,500, with the final figure depending on the clinic selected and the specifics of the maternity package. Considerable additional costs are common on top of the basic package, covering pre-pregnancy assessments, prenatal consultations, and various postnatal services for mother and newborn alike. When all these supplementary expenses are factored in, together with essentials for the baby and any extra medical care needed, the overall cost of pregnancy and birth can reach approximately €6,675. These figures, published in 2024, provide a useful reference point, though prices differ between hospitals and packages — always approach providers directly for current quotes.

Prenatal care involves regular appointments and a range of tests, which can become expensive without a comprehensive private health plan in place. In Bucharest, private antenatal consultations generally cost between 150 and 400 RON per visit, though rates vary across cities and clinics. Always confirm current charges with your chosen provider.

With regard to international health insurance: policies typically cover hospital charges, fees for the obstetrician and midwife during a normal birth, pre- and post-natal care in the immediate period after delivery, routine care for the newborn for up to seven days, elective caesarean section, and costs arising from complications such as pre-eclampsia or breech presentation. A critical point is that most international and private health insurance plans impose a maternity waiting period of between 10 and 12 months, which means that cover only applies if you were enrolled before conceiving. Always review the precise terms of your policy before assuming it will cover maternity-related expenses.

Among the private hospital networks widely recognised for the quality of their maternity services are Regina Maria, MedLife, and Sanador. These groups operate across multiple cities and publish their maternity packages online, making it straightforward to compare options before choosing a provider.

What is the standard of maternity and neonatal care in Romania?

Over the past two decades, Romania’s health system has achieved meaningful improvements, with rising life expectancy and substantial reductions in both infant and maternal mortality. Nevertheless, when assessed against OECD country averages, Romania continues to lag behind in several dimensions, including health risk factors, equitable access to services, quality of care, healthcare infrastructure capacity, and levels of funding.

Public facilities are capable of delivering sound and often effective medical care, yet they frequently fall short of the comfort-oriented amenities that private hospitals offer. Much of the country’s medical infrastructure dates back more than 35 years, and the physical condition of some public maternity wards reflects this. These limitations have contributed directly to the rapid expansion of the private healthcare sector in Romania.

Healthcare provision is markedly stronger in urban centres, while rural areas frequently face shortages of medical professionals and outdated equipment. Residents of rural communities report unmet healthcare needs at a rate almost 1.5 times higher than those living in cities. Anyone residing outside a major urban area should seriously consider planning to deliver at a larger city hospital, particularly if their pregnancy involves elevated risk factors.

When a birth is anticipated before 34 weeks of gestation, it must take place at a level 3 maternity unit — a hospital equipped with the resources to manage the potential complications of premature birth. Reputable public hospitals in Bucharest, such as Filantropia, maintain a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and have experienced paediatricians on call around the clock. Within the private sector, hospitals such as Regina Maria are recognised for their contemporary birthing suites and NICUs, providing integrated prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services.

On the subject of caesarean section rates: specialist estimates, drawing on available data, suggest that approximately half of all births in Romania are delivered by C-section. This far exceeds the WHO’s recommended threshold and is considerably higher than rates recorded in most comparable European countries. Expats who intend to pursue a vaginal birth should discuss this explicitly with their chosen obstetrician and, wherever possible, document their preferences in a written birth plan.

For those who do not speak Romanian, communication in public hospitals can present a real practical challenge. Some private clinics actively cater to the international community and employ staff who are fluent in foreign languages, which can greatly ease both consultation and the delivery process. The most effective way to establish whether a hospital has non-Romanian-speaking staff is to check the institution’s website or telephone directly. Another option for overcoming the language barrier is to arrange for a Romanian interpreter to accompany you to appointments and to be present during the birth.

What should expats know about maternity rights and leave in Romania?

Employed women in Romania are entitled to 126 days of maternity leave in total, split into two equal periods of 63 days before and 63 days after the birth. Although this division is the standard, mothers who do not use the full 63 days of prenatal leave may carry the unused portion over to extend their postnatal leave. The minimum compulsory period of leave following the birth is 42 days.

Throughout maternity leave, employees receive a maternity allowance equivalent to 85% of their average monthly earnings over the preceding six months within the last 12-month period. This allowance is funded by the National Health Insurance Fund rather than the employer. To qualify, an employee must have made contributions for a minimum of six months within the 12 months preceding the month in which leave commences.

Legal protections prevent employers from dismissing staff during maternity leave or within the six months following the employee’s return to work, except in specific circumstances such as company insolvency. The duration of maternity leave counts as continuous service for the purposes of seniority, career development, and pension entitlements.

Fathers employed in Romania are entitled to five days of fully paid paternity leave, which must be taken within eight weeks of the birth. Where the father completes an infant care course, he is entitled to an additional ten days, bringing the total entitlement to 15 days. Paternity leave is paid at 100% of the father’s normal salary by the employer.

In addition to maternity and paternity leave, both parents in Romania may take parental leave for up to two years following the birth, or three years in the case of a child with a disability. The parental leave allowance is 85% of average net income, subject to a floor of RON 1,495 (approximately €300) and a ceiling of RON 8,500 (approximately €1,700) per month. (As of 2025; verify current figures with the Romanian Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity.)

Romanian law requires the father to take at least one month of parental leave to allow the mother to return to work. Both parents may not take parental leave simultaneously, as the state indemnity is payable to only one parent at a time. These entitlements apply to all employees working legally in Romania under Romanian employment contracts, regardless of their nationality. Expats employed in Romania have contributions deducted through payroll automatically, while self-employed individuals and those not in formal employment must enrol voluntarily. Self-employed workers who pay voluntary social health insurance contributions may be eligible for maternity allowance, provided they meet the qualifying contribution period. For precise eligibility guidance, consult CNAS or a local accountant.

How do you register a birth in Romania?

Registering a birth in Romania is a legal requirement handled through the local civil registry office (Serviciul de Stare Civilă). The process must be completed within a set period after the birth, and expat parents also need to be aware of the parallel steps required to register their child with their home country’s authorities.

1. Obtain the medical birth certificate from the hospital. The hospital or maternity unit where the birth occurs will issue an official medical certificate confirming the birth (certificat constatator al nașterii). This document is required before civil registration can take place.
2. Visit the local civil registry office (starea civilă). The birth must be registered at the civil registry office for the municipality or district (sector, in Bucharest) in which the birth took place. The registration deadline is 30 days from the date of birth where the parents are married, or 60 days where they are not. Confirm current deadlines with your local registry, as these may be subject to change.
3. Present the required documents. Documents typically required include: the medical birth certificate issued by the hospital; valid identity documents (passports or residence permits) for both parents; the parents’ marriage certificate if applicable, accompanied by a certified Romanian translation if it was issued abroad; a declaration of acknowledgement of paternity if the parents are unmarried; and any further documents the civil registry office may request. Confirm the exact list with your local registry in advance, as requirements can vary between offices.
4. Complete registration and receive the Romanian birth certificate (certificat de naștere). Once registration is complete, you will be issued with an official Romanian birth certificate. This serves as the formal record of the child’s registration in Romania. There is no fee for registering a birth — the certificate is issued free of charge — but check with the registry for any current administrative requirements.
5. Register the birth with your home country’s embassy or consulate. Expat parents must separately inform their country’s consular authority in Romania of the birth in order to have the child registered as a national. Most embassies require the Romanian birth certificate (with certified translation where necessary), the parents’ passports, and a completed consular registration form. Contact your embassy for their current procedures and expected processing times.
6. Apply for a passport for your newborn. A child holding foreign nationality will require a passport issued by their country of origin for travel. This is normally arranged through the relevant embassy or consulate. Processing times differ by country, so it is advisable to begin this step as soon as possible after the birth.

For authoritative guidance on civil registration, contact the Romanian civil registry or your local town hall (primărie). For consular registration and passport matters, reach out to your home country’s embassy in Bucharest or the nearest consulate.

What nationality will my child have if born in Romania?

Romania’s citizenship framework is founded primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis — citizenship inherited through descent — rather than jus soli, which confers citizenship based on the territory of birth. This is the approach adopted by most EU member states and carries significant practical implications for foreign parents living in Romania.

A child born on Romanian soil to two foreign national parents does not gain Romanian citizenship simply by virtue of that birth. Instead, the child acquires the nationality or nationalities of the parents. Expat parents must therefore take active steps to secure their child’s citizenship by registering the birth with their home country’s consular authority.

Romanian citizenship by birth is acquired in the following circumstances: where at least one parent holds Romanian citizenship, the child is Romanian regardless of the country of birth; and, under Romanian law, a child born in Romania who would otherwise be rendered stateless may also acquire Romanian citizenship. The relevant legislation is Law No. 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship, as amended.

For expat parents, the practical course of action is: register the birth with the Romanian civil registry as outlined above to obtain a Romanian birth certificate; present this document to your home country’s embassy or consulate along with your own valid travel documents; and follow the consular procedure to have the child officially registered as a national of your country. Some countries impose time limits on how long after the birth this step may be taken, so it is important to contact your embassy promptly.

Nationality law can be intricate — for instance, some countries do not automatically extend citizenship to children born abroad unless specific conditions are satisfied, such as the parent having been born in or having previously been resident in that country. Always verify your individual circumstances with your home country’s embassy or consulate and, where necessary, seek advice from a legal professional with expertise in international family law.

What are the laws and attitudes around abortion in Romania?

Romania’s current legal position on abortion is considerably more permissive than its historical background might imply. Following the collapse of the communist regime, abortion was legalised in December 1989. Today, abortion on request is lawful in Romania up to 14 weeks of pregnancy — a limit broadly comparable to that in many other European countries (France, for example, permits abortion on request up to 14 weeks, while Germany sets its limit at 12 weeks).

Beyond 14 weeks of gestation, abortion is permitted on defined medical grounds, including a serious risk to the life or health of the pregnant person, foetal anomalies incompatible with life, and other specified medical indications. These cases are assessed individually by medical professionals. As of 2025, no mandatory waiting period is prescribed in law at the national level for first-trimester procedures, although individual healthcare providers may implement their own protocols. Readers should check current procedural requirements directly with the Romanian Ministry of Health, as institutional practices can change over time.

In terms of practical access: abortion services are available in both public hospitals and private clinics, but availability in practice is uneven. A considerable proportion of doctors in public hospitals choose to exercise their right to conscientious objection, which means that services are not consistently offered across all public facilities — especially in smaller towns and rural areas. This is a significant consideration for anyone in Romania who may need to access these services.

Private clinics in larger cities tend to offer more reliable access to first-trimester abortion services. Costs in the private sector vary; check current prices directly with providers. Where services are available through the public system, they may be covered under health insurance for medically indicated procedures.

Romania carries a distinctive and sobering historical context in relation to reproductive rights. Decree 770, issued by the communist government under Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1967, banned abortion and restricted contraception in an effort to drive population growth. The devastating human consequences of this policy were repealed immediately after the 1989 revolution. In the early 1990s, following legalisation, abortion rates were very high; they fell substantially as contraception became more widely used and living standards began to improve. Romania’s abortion rate today remains elevated relative to some of its EU neighbours, reflecting both patterns of contraception use and access to services, and the topic continues to feature in public health discourse.

For the most current information on abortion law and access in Romania, consult the Romanian Ministry of Health or a qualified healthcare provider or legal adviser based in Romania.

Frequently asked questions: having a baby in Romania

Can I give birth in Romania as a foreign national without public health insurance?

In Romania, delivery services in public hospitals are provided free of charge regardless of insurance status, meaning that emergency obstetric and birth care will not be withheld. Routine antenatal care within the public system, however, generally requires enrolment as an insured person with the CNAS. Expats who are not employed in Romania may join the system by making voluntary contributions. Many expats choose instead to access private care supported by international health insurance.

Do I need to register with a family doctor before accessing maternity care?

To access publicly funded health services as an insured person, you should contact the Health Insurance House (CAS) and register with a family physician, who can then provide a referral to an obstetrician. If you intend to use private care exclusively, you may attend a private OB/GYN clinic directly without first obtaining a GP referral.

Which private hospitals in Romania are recommended for giving birth?

Regina Maria, MedLife, and Sanador are among the private hospital networks widely recognised for quality maternity services. Sanador in Bucharest is equipped with advanced medical technology, private birthing suites, and specialists experienced in both routine and high-risk pregnancies, with packages covering natural birth, C-section, and comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care. Regina Maria and MedLife also operate maternity units in several cities outside Bucharest. Contact hospitals directly for current package pricing.

How long do I have to register my baby’s birth in Romania?

The standard deadline for registering a birth in Romania is 30 days from the date of birth when the parents are married, and 60 days when they are not. Registration is completed at the local civil registry office (starea civilă) in the municipality where the birth took place. Check with your specific local registry for any changes to these deadlines ahead of your due date.

Will my child automatically have my nationality if born in Romania?

Romania operates on the principle of jus sanguinis — citizenship by descent. A child born in Romania to foreign national parents does not automatically acquire Romanian citizenship. The child will instead take the nationality of their parents. To formally confirm your child’s citizenship, you must register the birth with your home country’s embassy or consulate in Romania. Contact your embassy promptly after the birth, as some countries impose strict deadlines for consular birth registration.

Does international health insurance cover giving birth in Romania?

International health insurance policies typically cover hospital charges, obstetrician and midwife fees for a normal delivery, pre- and post-natal care, routine care for the newborn, elective caesarean section, and costs associated with complications. However, most policies include a maternity waiting period — commonly 10 to 12 months from the policy start date — meaning you must be enrolled before becoming pregnant to benefit from this cover. Always examine the maternity-specific terms and exclusions of your policy before relying on it for birth-related costs.

Are there English-speaking doctors at Romanian hospitals?

A number of private clinics in Romania specifically serve the international community and employ staff who are fluent in foreign languages, which makes consultations and the birth experience considerably more straightforward. The situation in public hospitals is far less consistent. The most reliable way to establish whether a particular hospital has staff who speak your language is to check their website or telephone the institution directly. If language accessibility is a priority, a private hospital in a major city is likely your best option.

What parental leave is available for self-employed expats in Romania?

Self-employed individuals in Romania who make voluntary contributions to the social health insurance system may be eligible for maternity allowance and child-rearing allowance, subject to meeting the minimum qualifying contribution period of six months within the preceding 12 months. The child-rearing allowance amounts to 85% of average net income, with a minimum payment of 1,651 RON per month and a maximum of 8,500 RON per month. Eligibility rules for the self-employed are complex; consult the Romanian Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity or a local accountant for up-to-date guidance.