Romanians are among the Europeans who spend the most out of their pockets for medical services, compared to their monthly income, a situation that has the effect of postponing or avoiding consultations.
A Romanian spends 223 euros per year for medical investigations. PHOTO: Shutterstock
According to Eurostat reports, on average, a family in Europe directly pays between 14 and 15% of medical costs.
The lowest percentages of direct payments are recorded in Luxembourg (8.5%), France (8.9%) and Croatia (9.4%). The Nordic states also have a below-average level of direct spending: Sweden (13.4%), Denmark (13.9%) and Norway (14.1%).
Among the countries with developed health systems, Spain has a share of 20.9%, and Italy, 22.3%.
In Romania, patients end up paying up to 23%. On average, a Romanian spends 223 euros per year for medical investigations, apart from the contribution to health, according to the quoted source.
The money collected from CASS covers less than half of the system’s total expenses
A study by the Academy of Economic Studies shows that the money collected from the contribution to social health insurance covers less than half of the total expenses of the system in a year, despite the fact that the budget has increased by 40%.
“The largest component of the fund’s expenses are hospital services, with 46% of the total, 32 billion lei in 2024, followed by medicines with 33% of the fund, 21 billion lei in 2024. Today, in 2025, the fund finances salaries in public hospitals more than it buys services for the insured”, Radu Comșa, health policy consultant, explained to ProTV:
Romania remains the EU country with the most social categories exempt from paying the health contribution. Legislative changes in recent months have reduced their number, but the money collected does not cover the great need for medical services, the quoted source says.
