For the first time in more than fifty years, Romania is building large public hospitals. Romania joined the European Union almost twenty years ago, yet its hospital infrastructure has remained largely unchanged. While Romania trains excellent medical professionals, many practise abroad.
Despite progress in many sectors, healthcare outcomes remain among the lowest in the European Union. Romania records one of the highest rates of treatable mortality in the European Union.
Many hospitals no longer meet current safety standards and are organised across fragmented small pavilion-style buildings. These configurations limit the use of new technologies and integrated models of care.
Support beyond construction
Around decade ago, Romanian authorities decided to take a different path, with support from the European Union.
EU grants amounting to € 226 million and three EIB loans amounting to € 923 million supported three new regional emergency hospitals, designed in line with European standards.
Three new hospitals are under construction in the cities of Cluj, Iași and Craiova.
PASSA (Project Advisory Support Service Agreement) supports projects funded by the European Union, helping them move forward more quickly and make effective use of EU funding.
A Bucharest‑based team of PASSA eight specialists, including healthcare and finance experts, worked closely with Romanian counterparts, covering areas such as:
- preparation of documentation required for EU funding
- healthcare planning based on the population needs
- strategic and sequenced procurement
- design of clinical models supporting multidisciplinary care
- digital systems and IT architecture
- human resources and workforce planning
- training for administrative teams
- governance frameworks for hospital management.
From plans to reality
Construction is now underway, with two major contracts signed in 2025 and the third one in progress. Works have started on the three sites.
“It is becoming concrete, and we can feel the conversations shifting. Clinicians are now imagining themselves working in new workflows and modern spaces,” says Alexis Gressier, PASSA team leader.
The programme combines investment in infrastructure with long-term support to help ensure the new hospitals can operate effectively once they open. “When the new infrastructure is in place, real healthcare improvement starts and patients can benefit from the full potential of modern medicine,” says Vlad Mixich, senior health infrastructure expert.