What is a family doctor
A family doctor is a general practitioner and your first point of contact with the healthcare system in Romania. Unlike a specialist who focuses on one disease or organ, a family doctor follows your overall health over time and gets to know you as a person, not only one isolated symptom.
How a family doctor can help a migrant
- Provides basic consultations for common health problems
- Prescribes medicines and treatments
- Refers you to specialist doctors; covered by health insurance when the relevant conditions are met
- Issues medical leave certificates
- Provides vaccinations and preventive check-ups
- Monitors chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
- Helps you understand how the Romanian healthcare system works — and where to go next for a particular problem
Why you should have a family doctor
Without registering with a family doctor, you generally cannot get covered referrals to most specialists — the family doctor is effectively the “entry point” to the rest of the public healthcare system. Many services, including psychological support covered by the health insurance system (see section 3), require an initial discussion with a family doctor. You also have one continuous point of care — someone who knows your medical history over time, instead of having to start from zero each time.
How to register
- You can choose any family doctor in Romania — they do not have to be close to your home, but they must have a contract with a health insurance house (CAS).
- Documents usually required: identity card OR residence permit (both are accepted), plus proof of insurance if you already have it.
- You fill in a simple registration form at the doctor’s office — most registrations are completed the same day.
- You can change your family doctor once every six months, if necessary.
What your family doctor can do for you, in practical terms
- Examine you and diagnose common health problems
- Prescribe medicines and issue referrals to specialists
- Issue medical leave if you are ill and cannot work
- Monitor a chronic condition, if you have one
- Recommend preventive check-ups and vaccinations
- Guide you through the healthcare system — including, when appropriate, to a psychiatrist for mental health support
Source: Prevencia.ro — Family doctor registration guide; Aide-Sante.ro — required documents for foreign citizens; CNAS — cnas.ro