X-Ray Cost in Bulgaria
What you actually pay under NHIF (NZOK) and at private clinics. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Bulgaria runs a single-payer public health insurance system — the National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK, usually written "NHIF" in English). It is funded by an 8% contribution on gross income, split between employer (4.8%) and employee (3.2%). Diagnostic X-rays are covered for insured patients with a referral from a GP or specialist. At private clinics, single-view X-rays commonly cost 30–40 BGN (~€15–20) with no referral required.
🏥 NHIF (Public)
- Statutory user fee per GP / specialist visit
- X-ray itself covered with referral
- Pensioners: reduced user fee of 1.00 BGN
- Wait times: days to weeks for non-urgent imaging
🏥 Private Clinics
- ≈ €15–20 per single view
- Same-day appointments common
- No referral required
- Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna: widely available
🩺 Minimum NHIF (2026)
- Self-employed minimum from Jan 2026
- 8% of €550.66 monthly base
- Maximum base: €2,111.64/month
- Voluntary NHIF for uninsured residents
Private Clinic X-Ray Prices
The table below reflects self-pay prices at Bulgarian private radiology clinics as of April 2026. Figures are drawn from published price lists of representative diagnostic centers. Most single-view X-rays cluster around 30 BGN for limbs and extremities and 40 BGN for chest, spine, and abdominal imaging.
| X-Ray Type | Price (BGN) | EUR (≈) | NHIF Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest / lungs | 40 BGN | €20 | Covered with referral |
| Abdomen | 40 BGN | €20 | Covered with referral |
| Pelvis | 40 BGN | €20 | Covered with referral |
| Spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) | 40 BGN | €20 | Covered with referral |
| Skull | 40 BGN | €20 | Covered with referral |
| Hand / wrist / elbow / shoulder | 30 BGN | €15 | Covered with referral |
| Foot / ankle / knee / hip | 30 BGN | €15 | Covered with referral |
| Jaw / facial bones / paranasal sinuses | 30 BGN | €15 | Covered with referral |
| Mammography (both breasts) | 75 BGN | €38 | Covered for screening age groups |
Sample source: MC Omega (Sofia) published price list. Bulgaria has pegged the lev to the euro at approximately 1.956 BGN = €1, and is scheduled to adopt the euro in January 2026; some clinics now list prices in both currencies.
How NHIF Coverage Works
Who is covered
- Bulgarian citizens and residents paying the 8% contribution
- Employees (contribution deducted at payroll)
- Self-employed on declared income
- Dependent family members where applicable
- EU/EEA visitors with a valid EHIC
What it costs
- Employees: 3.2% of gross salary (+ 4.8% employer share)
- Self-employed: 8% of declared income
- Minimum base (2026): €550.66/month → ≈ €44 contribution
- Maximum base (2026): €2,111.64/month
- User fee: 2.90 BGN per GP/specialist visit (1.00 BGN for pensioners)
How to get an X-ray
- Register with a GP (лични лекар)
- Get a referral (направление) for imaging
- Book at any NHIF-contracted diagnostic center
- Bring ID and proof of NHIF status
- Skipping the referral? Pay private rates (30–40 BGN)
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Major Private / Mixed Hospitals
- Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda — Sofia
- Sofiamed University Hospital — Sofia
- Hill Clinic — Sofia
- MHAT Kaspela — Plovdiv
- St. Marina University Hospital — Varna
🏥 Diagnostic Centers
- MC Omega (Sofia)
- MC Lora Pozitano (Sofia)
- Scanner Medical Diagnostic Imaging (Sofia)
- Regional diagnostic centers in every oblast capital
- NHIF-contracted imaging in most hospitals
💡 Practical tips
- Most price lists are published on clinic websites under Цени
- Private English-speaking clinics are common in Sofia
- Results often delivered same day or next day
- Bring prior imaging on CD if available
Guide by Patient Type
🇧🇬 Bulgarian residents
- Keep NHIF contributions current — gaps block public cover
- With referral: NHIF pays; you pay only the 2.90 BGN user fee
- Without referral or in a hurry: private, 30–40 BGN per view
- Pensioners and children pay a reduced user fee
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss visitors
- EHIC gives you the same cover as a Bulgarian insured patient
- Medically necessary X-rays are covered
- Present EHIC + passport at the facility
- Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered — self-pay
✈️ Non-EU visitors
- Self-pay at a private clinic is cheap by Western standards
- Emergency care is always provided regardless of insurance
- Travel health insurance recommended for hospital stays
- Long-term residents must register with NHIF
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Passport or Bulgarian ID
- NHIF / EHIC (if using public cover)
- Doctor's referral (направление)
- Prior imaging on CD/USB, if available
- Cash or card for private clinics
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- NHIF non-urgent: days to weeks
- Private self-pay: same day
- Results: same day to 1–2 days
💡 How to save money
- If insured, use your GP referral — NHIF pays almost everything
- Compare private Цени pages; prices are standardised around 30–40 BGN
- Ask whether single view is sufficient before booking two
- Dental X-rays are usually cheapest at the dental office itself
FAQ
Is an X-ray free under NHIF?
The X-ray itself is covered for insured patients with a referral. You pay only the statutory user fee (2.90 BGN, or 1.00 BGN for pensioners) for the referring visit. There is no separate imaging co-pay at NHIF-contracted centers.
What do private X-rays cost in Bulgaria?
Most single-view X-rays cost 30–40 BGN (~€15–20) at private diagnostic centers. Chest, spine, and abdominal are typically 40 BGN; limbs, hands, and dental views are typically 30 BGN. Mammography runs around 75 BGN.
How much is the NHIF contribution in 2026?
The rate is 8% of gross income, split 4.8% employer / 3.2% employee. Self-employed pay the full 8%. The minimum monthly base for self-employed from January 2026 is €550.66 (≈ €44 monthly contribution).
Can tourists get X-rays in Bulgaria?
Yes. EU tourists with EHIC are treated like insured Bulgarians. Non-EU tourists usually self-pay at private clinics, where prices are cheap by Western standards. Emergency care is available regardless of insurance status.
Are prices changing with euro adoption?
Bulgaria is scheduled to adopt the euro in January 2026 at the fixed rate of 1.95583 BGN = €1. Prices are not expected to change materially; many clinics already display both BGN and EUR.
How long will it take to get results?
Images are typically handed over on CD or via a patient portal the same day. A written radiologist's report usually follows within 1–2 working days at both NHIF-contracted and private centers.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- MC Omega (Sofia) — published X-ray price list
- National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK / NHIF) — coverage and user fees
- 2026 NHIF Budget Law — 8% contribution rate
- Bulgarian Ministry of Finance — 2026 contribution base and ceiling
Last reviewed: April 2026. Prices and contribution rates change — always confirm with the provider before booking.