Bucharest holds the country's most important hospitals and medical institutes, both public and private. For any real emergency — an accident, severe symptoms, a life-threatening situation — the number to call is 112, the single emergency number valid across Romania and free from any phone. A 112 call works even without a SIM card in the phone, and operators can also take calls in English.
Public hospitals and reference institutes
A handful of institutions handle the bulk of serious cases:
- Bucharest University Emergency Hospital (SUUB) — one of the country's largest hospitals, with a wide range of specialties and a major role in medical education.
- Bucharest Emergency Clinical Hospital – Floreasca (SCUB) — the country's best-known emergency hospital, a reference for polytrauma, surgery and intensive care.
- Fundeni Clinical Institute — a reference centre for oncology, haematology, transplantation and gastroenterology.
- Colțea Clinical Hospital — one of the city's oldest hospitals, with multidisciplinary specialties.
- "Marie Curie" and "Grigore Alexandrescu" children's emergency hospitals — references for paediatric emergencies and surgery.
How emergencies and the emergency room work
For life-threatening emergencies, an ambulance is dispatched through the 112 system; for serious but transportable cases, you can go directly to the emergency room (UPU) of an emergency hospital. The UPU operates around the clock and triages patients by severity, which means a minor case may wait behind more serious ones. For minor problems, a clinic or a family doctor is often a quicker solution.
Private clinics
The city has a solid network of private clinics and hospitals, with quick appointments and outpatient, imaging and surgical services. They are useful for planned consultations and tests, but for life-threatening emergencies call 112 and go to an emergency hospital. Many private clinics also run their own laboratories and imaging centres (ultrasound, MRI, CT) with same-day or next-day appointments.
24-hour pharmacies
Bucharest has many pharmacies, some open around the clock, especially in central areas and near the big hospitals. Exact hours change — check on the spot or by phone before a night-time trip. The big pharmacy chains have branches in almost every neighbourhood and in shopping malls, and some also offer basic advice for minor ailments.
For foreign visitors
EU/EEA citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for care in the public system, on the same terms as locally insured patients. For non-EU visitors or for private services, travel medical insurance is recommended. Keep a copy of your policy and an ID document handy.
Practical tips
Keep your health card or travel insurance handy, and for foreign visitors, international medical insurance. Write down the address where you are staying (useful when calling 112) and keep a list of any medication you take. To get around and reach hospitals quickly, see getting around Bucharest.
FAQ
What number do I call in an emergency? 112, the single emergency number, free from any phone, even without a SIM card.
Where do I go with a serious emergency? To the nearest emergency hospital (for example SUUB or Floreasca/SCUB); for children, the paediatric emergency hospitals.
Can I be treated as a foreigner? Yes; with the European Health Insurance Card in the public system, or with travel insurance / direct payment in private care.
