X-Ray Cost in Romania
What you actually pay under CNAS public insurance and at private clinics. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Romania's public system is run by CNAS (Casa Naționala de Asigurari de Sanatate), financed by the 10% CASS employee contribution on gross salary with no upper ceiling. CNAS covers diagnostic X-rays for contributing patients with a referral. Private diagnostics are dominated by three chains — Regina Maria, Medicover, and MedLife — with self-pay chest X-rays typically running 90–200 RON (~$20–$45). Some providers (notably MedLife) use bundled per-exposure pricing around 20 RON per single view.
🏥 CNAS (Public)
- *With CASS contributions current + doctor's referral
- Funded by 10% employee CASS contribution
- Wait times vary by region and facility
- Emergency imaging same-day
🏥 Private Chains
- Regina Maria, Medicover, MedLife dominate
- ≈ $20–$45 per chest X-ray view
- Same-day appointments typical
- No referral required
🩺 Self-employed cap (2026)
- 72 × minimum gross salary annual cap
- 10% CASS applies up to this ceiling
- Wage income has no cap — 10% on full salary
- Pensions: 10% on amounts above RON 3,000/mo
Private Clinic X-Ray Prices
Each of Romania's private chains sets its own prices. Regina Maria and Medicover price per anatomical region; MedLife often publishes per-exposure pricing that effectively bundles multiple views. The table below summarises typical self-pay prices as of April 2026.
| X-Ray Service | Price (RON) | USD (≈) | CNAS Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray (Medicover, Constanța) | 92–110 | $21–$25 | Free with referral |
| Chest X-ray (Regina Maria) | ~165 | ~$37 | Free with referral |
| MedLife — per exposure (bundled) | ~20 / exposure | ~$4.5 | Free with referral |
| Limb / joint X-ray (typical) | 80–160 | $18–$36 | Free with referral |
| Spine segment (typical) | 90–200 | $20–$45 | Free with referral |
| Abdominal X-ray (typical) | 90–180 | $20–$41 | Free with referral |
| Dental intraoral | 30–80 | $7–$18 | Limited |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | 120–250 | $27–$56 | Limited |
Sample sources: Medicover (Iowemed, Constanța) and Regina Maria (Pozimed, Constanța) published prices; MedLife per-exposure pricing model. USD conversions at approximately 4.5 RON = $1.
How CNAS / CASS Coverage Works
Who is covered
- Romanian citizens and legal residents paying CASS
- Employees (contributions deducted at payroll)
- Self-employed on PFA or freelance declarations
- Pensioners, children, students, dependents
- EU/EEA/Swiss visitors with EHIC
What it costs (2026)
- Employees: 10% of gross salary (no ceiling)
- Self-employed: 10% on declared net income up to 72× minimum gross salary
- Pensions: 10% above RON 3,000/month
- Minimum gross salary 2026: used to compute the RON 291,600 cap
How to get an X-ray
- See your GP (medic de familie) for a referral (bilet de trimitere)
- Book at a CNAS-contracted radiology site
- Bring your national ID and CASS proof
- Private chains often contract with CNAS — imaging may still be free
- Self-pay private: 90–200 RON depending on chain
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Public / University Hospitals
- Floreasca Emergency Hospital — Bucharest
- Fundeni Clinical Institute — Bucharest
- Colentina Clinical Hospital — Bucharest
- Cluj County Emergency Hospital
- Iași County Emergency Hospital
- Timișoara County Hospital
🏥 Major Private Chains
- Regina Maria — nationwide private network
- Medicover — Bucharest and regional hubs
- MedLife — largest private hospital group
- Sanador — Bucharest, multi-specialty
- Affidea — diagnostic imaging chain
💡 Practical tips
- Private chains publish online price lists under Preturi
- Many private sites have CNAS contracts — bring your referral
- Bucharest and Cluj have best private availability
- Digital imaging via CD/USB or patient portal
Guide by Patient Type
🇷🇴 Romanian residents
- Keep your CASS contributions current — status affects coverage
- With a bilet de trimitere: X-ray is free at contracted sites
- For speed: private self-pay at Medicover/Regina Maria/MedLife
- Compare chain prices — they differ 2–3× for the same view
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss visitors
- EHIC treats you like a Romanian insured patient
- Medically necessary X-rays covered
- Present EHIC + passport at the facility
- Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered — self-pay
✈️ Non-EU visitors
- Self-pay at a private chain — fair prices by Western standards
- Emergency care always provided
- Travel health insurance recommended for hospital stays
- Long-term residents must register with CNAS
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- National ID (buletin) or passport
- CASS contribution proof or EHIC
- GP referral (bilet de trimitere)
- Prior imaging on CD/USB
- Cash or card for private
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Public routine: days to weeks
- Private self-pay: same day
- Results: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- Compare prices across Regina Maria / Medicover / MedLife — they vary widely
- Use your CNAS referral when available — imaging is then free
- Ask about MedLife's per-exposure bundled pricing
- Dental X-rays cheapest at a dental clinic
FAQ
Is an X-ray free under CNAS?
Yes, for CASS-contributing patients with a referral at CNAS-contracted facilities (including many private sites). There is no per-visit co-pay for covered imaging.
What do private X-rays cost?
Most chest X-rays cost 90–200 RON ($20–$45) depending on the chain. Medicover sits at the lower end, Regina Maria in the middle, and premium hospitals (Sanador) can run higher. MedLife uses per-exposure pricing around 20 RON per single view.
How much is CASS contribution?
10% of gross salary for employees with no upper cap. Self-employed pay 10% on declared net income up to 72 times the minimum gross salary (about RON 291,600 for 2026). Pensions: 10% on amounts above RON 3,000/month.
Which private chain is cheapest?
It varies by service. Medicover is often cheapest for chest X-rays (92–110 RON). MedLife's per-exposure model can be very cheap for single views but adds up quickly for multi-view studies. Regina Maria sits in the middle. Always check current Preturi before booking.
Can I use EHIC in Romania?
Yes. EHIC entitles you to medically necessary imaging on the same terms as Romanian CASS-insured patients. Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered.
How long does the radiology report take?
Images are usually available the same day on CD or via patient portal. A written radiologist's report is typically ready within 24–48 hours at both public and private centers.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Medicover Romania — Iowemed (Constanța) published prices
- Regina Maria — Policlinica Pozimed (Constanța) published prices
- MedLife — per-exposure pricing model
- CNAS (Casa Naționala de Asigurari de Sanatate) — coverage rules
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Romania 2026 CASS rates
Last reviewed: April 2026. Prices vary by chain and region — confirm with provider before booking.