Medicine for foreigners in Bulgaria

Significant differences in the Russian and Bulgarian medical systems give rise to a lot of questions for visitors from Russia. The purpose of this article is to provide answers to the most frequent surveys and dispel any misunderstandings.

Medical care in Bulgaria is paid, and all healthcare institutions are private. Nevertheless, the quality of medical services is under the control of the state. All tariffs for medicines and treatment are fixed.

Treatment for foreigners

Foreign citizens who have the status of a residence permit fully pay for all medical services. The only exception to this rule is the provision of first aid – it is provided free of charge in Bulgaria.

In addition, there is an agreement between Russia and Bulgaria on the provision of free medical care by state healthcare institutions in urgent cases. Ambulance, if necessary, will be immediately provided to a foreigner in the nearest medical institution.

There are many good paid clinics in Bulgaria. All healthcare institutions in Bulgaria provide medical services to citizens of foreign countries. Foreign citizens are informed in advance about the expected length of stay in the medical institution and the approximate cost of treatment. At the end of treatment, a person who has been discharged from the hospital receives a medical certificate.

The attitude towards foreigners in Bulgarian private clinics is always good also for the reason that they always pay for all services on their own, not being able to demand compensation from the state for treatment costs.

Medical insurance

Since medicine in Bulgaria is paid, the best option for citizens of other countries who come to Bulgaria for a long time is to contact a Bulgarian insurance company.

The cost of insurance will depend on the state of health and age.

Benefits of Paid Medicine Although the fact that medicine in Bulgaria is paid, the majority of Russians, accustomed to the free services of doctors, does not cause enthusiasm, upon closer examination, the situation is not at all depressing.

Paid medicine, especially if you have insurance, has many advantages. And the most important of them is the quality of services. Qualification of medical staff in Bulgaria is at a high level, equipment high-quality, although not in all clinics the latest, medicines are the most modern, and the conditions in the clinics meet European standards.

It’s no secret to anyone that in Russia medicine, if it can be called free, is very conditional. You still have to pay for quality treatment, either by “thanking” an attentive doctor, or by turning to paid medical institutions. In Bulgaria, the first option is simply excluded, and paid medicine has become the norm and is developing dynamically. At the same time, its quality is strictly controlled at the state level.

In perspective

Upon obtaining the status of permanent residence, foreigners have the opportunity to switch to the NOI medical insurance and pay for medical services in part.

Medical centers of large European clinics are opening in the country, where both visitors and Bulgarians themselves prefer to undergo serious treatment today.

Increasingly, there are talks that Bulgaria is a country with good potential for medical tourism, because with the high quality of medical services, the cost of treatment here is low.

Good ecology and clean mountain air, an abundance of healing waters and mud, generous natural resources of local nature makes just a stay in Bulgaria a great complex health-improving procedure.

Local medicine is actively using all these gifts to effectively treat a range of chronic diseases.