Proceeding to Romania to study can be a very exciting experience.

However, there is one thing that you must be able to have before the move to your new life, and that is health insurance.

The international students should demonstrate valid medical cover to secure a visa permit and residence permit. The regulations vary based on whether you are an EU/EEA student or a non-EU/EEA student and the situation becomes even crucial in the context of travelling with a spouse or children.

Early learning of these rules can help you to avoid the waste of time and pleasurable surprises, unwarranted stresses.

This guide takes you through the nitty-gritty of family medical insurance among international students in Romania including some of the basics of the system, legal necessities, the price ranges, and the best insurance companies that actually comply with visa regulations.

We should have it down to the nitty-gritty.

Why Health Insurance Is Mandatory in Romania

All international students in Romania are required to be insured in health.

This is not only college policy but it is a national legal policy that has a direct correlation with your ability to remain in the country.

In the case of non-EU students, the policy is surrogacy.

Before arrival, you will have to buy personal insurance, which should also comply with visa requirements.

The experience of EU/EEA students is less challenging due to mutual healthcare agreements but a significant portion of them prefer to use the insurance privately to cover loopholes.

The aim of the system in Romania is rather mundane: to make sure that each student should not face the risk of losing financial independence due to the necessity to get critical medical attention.

The kind of insurance you take will impact on whether you exhibit a simple doctor visit or emergency hospitalization of your family.

 Understanding the Coverage Requirements

Romania divides student health insurance obligations into two main categories:
EU/EEA students and non-EU/EEA students.

Health Insurance Rules for Non-EU/EEA Students

Non-EU/EEA students must purchase private insurance before applying for a visa.
The policy must include:

• Minimum €30,000 medical coverage
  
• Coverage valid across Romania and the Schengen area
  
• Validity for the entire intended stay
  

This requirement is non-negotiable.
If your policy does not meet the minimum threshold, your visa will be rejected.

Most non-EU students choose international insurance providers because these companies offer visa-compliant documentation instantly and allow family members to be added conveniently.

Some also combine a private plan with Romania’s public healthcare system after they receive their residence permit, especially if they plan to live in the country for more than a year.

Health Insurance Rules for EU/EEA Students

EU/EEA students have access to Romania’s public healthcare system through:

• EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
  
• GHIC (for UK students)
  

The EHIC covers medically necessary treatments in public facilities.
But many students quickly learn that EHIC does not cover everything.

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Here’s what EHIC does not cover:

• Private clinics
  
• Dental care in most cases
  
• Maternity care beyond medical necessity
  
• Repatriation
  
• Emergency evacuation
  
• Travel-related medical risks
  

That’s why many EU students add a small private policy to ensure broader protection, especially during travel or when bringing family members.

Public Healthcare Eligibility for Students Under and Over 26

Romania has a unique rule that benefits younger students.

• Students under 26 years old can access free public healthcare through CNAS (National Health Insurance House).
  
• Students over 26 years old must pay around €12 per month to access CNAS coverage.
  

It’s one of the most affordable public health insurance options in Europe.
But affordability doesn’t always equal comprehensive coverage.

CNAS covers:

• GP visits
  
• Hospitalization
  
• Emergency care
  

However, it does not fully cover:

• Dental services
  
• Optical services
  
• Private clinics
  
• Extensive outpatient care
  

This is why adding a supplementary private plan is common, especially for international families.

Family Coverage Eligibility in Romania

Bringing your spouse or children to Romania introduces another layer of planning.
Family members can be added to either public or private insurance, but the exact process depends on your residency status and the insurer.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Public Insurance (CNAS)

Family inclusion is possible but not automatic.
Dependants require legal residency status and specific documentation, which can slow down the process.

Coverage is basic and may not be enough for families who want predictable access to outpatient care, specialists, or private clinics.

Private or International Insurance

This is the most common route for non-EU families.

It provides:

• Faster enrolment
  
• Visa-compliant letters
  
• Broader benefits
  
• Flexible packages for spouse and children
  

If you want reliability and global protection, this is usually the best option.

Top 10 Family Medical Insurance Providers in Romania (2025 Guide)

Below is a practical, easy-to-compare list of the best providers for international students and their families.

These options balance affordability, visa compliance, and dependable coverage.

1. Swisscare Student Europe

Cost: €150–€300/year (student), family plans available
Why it’s helpful:
Swisscare is widely accepted for Romanian visa applications. They provide strong emergency medical coverage, repatriation, and multilingual assistance.
Their plans are simple, affordable, and designed specifically for students.

2. CNAS (National Health Insurance House)

Cost: €12/month for students over 26
Why it’s helpful:
This is Romania’s public healthcare system.
It gives you access to GP services, emergency care, and hospital coverage at very low cost.
However, outpatient and dental services are limited.

3. Aon Student Insurance

Cost: €100–€200/year
Why it’s helpful:
Aon specializes in student health packages that include medical care, accidents, liability, and visa-compliant coverage.
Family plans are available and offer solid basic protection.

4. International Student Insurance (ISI)

Cost: €100–€250/year
Why it’s helpful:
ISI offers reliable visa-compliant insurance with medical coverage, accident protection, liability, and worldwide assistance.
It’s easy to add dependants.

5. Allianz Care

Cost: €150–€300/year for expat/family packages
Why it’s helpful:
Allianz is known globally for strong expatriate coverage.
Their plans include hospital care, outpatient services, and emergency evacuation.
Ideal for families who want predictable, high-quality care.

6. AXA Global Healthcare

Cost: €150–€300/year
Why it’s helpful:
AXA offers broad international coverage including inpatient care, outpatient visits, and evacuation.
Their family packages are flexible and can be tailored to maternity and dental needs.

7. Bupa Global

Cost: €150–€300+/year
Why it’s helpful:
Bupa is one of the most premium options available.
Expect extensive inpatient and outpatient coverage, maternity care, dental and optical benefits, and an enormous global provider network.

8. Cigna Global

Cost: €150–€300/year for modular plans
Why it’s helpful:
Cigna allows you to customise your insurance.
You can add dental, maternity, optical, or worldwide outpatient care.
It’s popular among students bringing family members.

9. GeoBlue

Cost: €150–€300/year
Why it’s helpful:
GeoBlue is ideal for students from the US.
Its plans include access to both US and EU health networks, evacuation services, and high-limit emergency coverage.

10. Mondassur

Cost: €100–€200/year
Why it’s helpful:
Mondassur offers affordable local and international insurance options.
Their student plans are visa-friendly and include strong medical and accident coverage, with family options available.

How Much Does Family Medical Insurance Cost in Romania?

The cost of family health insurance in Romania depends on coverage depth, insurer, and age of dependants.

Typical price range:

• Student-only insurance: €100–€300/year
  
• Family plans (student + spouse + children): €300–€600+/year
  
• Premium worldwide coverage with maternity/outpatient: €500–€1,000+/year
  

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If you want only visa-compliant emergency coverage, you can stay on the lower end.
If you want outpatient care, maternity services, dental coverage, and access to private hospitals, expect to pay more.

 Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance in Romania

Choosing insurance isn’t just a box-ticking requirement.
It determines the kind of healthcare access you and your family get for the entire duration of your stay.

Here are practical, actionable tips that will help you make the right choice.

 For Non-EU/EEA Students

• Make sure your policy meets the minimum €30,000 coverage for your visa.
  
• Choose insurers that provide instant visa-compliant confirmation letters.
  
• Add repatriation and evacuation benefits, as these are often checked during visa processing.
  
• Consider upgrading to CNAS after obtaining your residence permit for affordable in-country coverage.

For EU/EEA Students

• Bring your EHIC, but don’t rely on it alone.
  
• Supplement with a private plan that covers outpatient care, dental, travel, and private clinics.
  
• EU students with families especially benefit from adding an international family plan.

 Public Insurance (CNAS) Considerations

• Great for basic, low-cost care.
  
• Limited coverage for dental, optical, and private hospitals.
  
• Useful as a secondary plan, not a primary one, for international families.

Private and International Insurance Considerations

• Better for families wanting flexible access and predictable quality.
  
• Covers private hospitals and specialists.
  
• Often includes maternity, evacuation, and global coverage.
  
• More expensive but significantly more reliable.

Before Purchasing, Always Check:

• Waiting periods (especially for maternity and dental)
  
• Deductibles
  
• Coverage limits
  
• Whether dependants can be added
  
• Whether Schengen-wide coverage is included
  
• Whether the insurer provides a visa letter
  

A careful review can save you from costly surprises later.

Need Personalised Recommendations?

Every family is different.
A single student and a family of four won’t need the same coverage, and nationality also affects eligibility.

If you want a custom recommendation, just specify:

• Your nationality
  
• Number of family members
  
• Ages of dependants
  
• Your budget
  
• Whether you prefer global or Romania-only coverage

References:

European Commission. (2024). European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): Rights and coverage. https://europa.eu/
Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs. (2024). Student visa requirements for non-EU citizens. https://www.mai.gov.ro/
CNAS – Casa Națională de Asigurări de Sănătate. (2024). Health insurance contributions and student eligibility rules. https://www.cnas.ro/
Swisscare. (2024). Student Europe insurance plans. https://www.swisscare.com/
Aon. (2024). Student insurance products and benefits. https://www.aonstudentinsurance.com/
International Student Insurance. (2024). Europe student health plans. https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/
Allianz Care. (2024). International student and expat medical plans. https://www.allianzcare.com/
AXA Global Healthcare. (2024). Worldwide health insurance plans. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/
Bupa Global. (2024). International health insurance. https://www.bupaglobal.com/
Cigna Global. (2024). Expat health insurance packages. https://www.cignaglobal.com/
Mondassur. (2024). Student and expat insurance in Europe. https://www.mondassur.com/