Romanian Pensioners Struggle for Treatment Vouchers in 2026

Romanian pensioners encountered severe difficulties in obtaining treatment vouchers for 2026, with many counties receiving only a fraction of the usual allocation. The first series of vouchers was not released until late April, following the national budget approval. This delay, coupled with a slow bidding process for external accommodation, meant that by the seventh series, only then did vouchers outside the National Pension House network become available.

The number of beneficiaries has significantly decreased this year. In Olt county, for instance, the first series offered only 33 vouchers, with a rapid distribution to those ready to depart immediately. Subsequent series saw slight increases, with 37 and 39 vouchers allocated. However, the demand far outstripped supply, with hundreds of applications for each series, especially during the peak summer season.

By the sixth series, the situation became particularly dire, with only 24 vouchers available for 1,112 applications, meaning only 2.1% of requests could be fulfilled. Even the seventh series offered similarly slim chances. This scarcity occurred despite a record budget allocated for treatment vouchers in 2026. The government had planned for 114,000 vouchers, a reduction from 130,000 in 2025 and over 135,000 in 2024. The eighth series showed a potential improvement, with 131 vouchers allocated in Olt, but the overall trend for the year indicates a much harder struggle for pensioners seeking treatment.