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Romania

Care homes in Romania

Table of contents
  1.  Which laws apply to opening care homes?
  2.  Is the care home operator required to have a presence in the local jurisdiction?
  3.  Is a special legal form required for a care home?
  4.  How are the governing bodies of the care home regulated? 
  5.  Is a concession or approval by any regulatory authority required to open a care home?
  6.  Is a care home restricted in the performance of activities on the local market?
  7.  Are there any restrictions on how care homes may use their profits?
  8. Does the government provide any type of subsidy?
  9.  Is there a supervisory authority in relation to the activities of the care home?
  10.  What is the number of inhabitants?
  11. What is the number of inhabitants older than 65 (in %)?
  12. What is the number of care homes?
  13. Is there a waiting list?
  14.  What institutions regulate and monitor the health and social care services?
Romania
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1. Which laws apply to opening care homes?

The main regulations are in Law 17/2000 on Social Assistance for the Elderly and Law 197/2012 on Securing Quality in Social Services. An important regulation is Law 219/2015 which allows operators to register as a social undertaking, as an optional choice. 

2. Is the care home operator required to have a presence in the local jurisdiction?

An international association or foundation can operate a care home in Romania through a branch recognised in accordance with the legislation in force. 

The care home operator can either be a public entity, an NGO, an authorised person or a private entity, such as a limited liability company. 

4. How are the governing bodies of the care home regulated? 

In public care homes, the governing bodies are appointed by the local public administrative authorities through an administrative act. In private care homes, there are no special requirements for the governing bodies. 

5. Is a concession or approval by any regulatory authority required to open a care home?

Every care home operator must obtain an accreditation certificate and an operating licence from the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection.

6. Is a care home restricted in the performance of activities on the local market?

The activities performed by a care home can only be those of social assistance under NACE Code 873 and its division groups. 

7. Are there any restrictions on how care homes may use their profits?

If the care home is registered under Law 219/2015 as a social undertaking, a minimum 90% of its profit must be allocated for a social purpose and statutory reserve. If the care home is registered as a limited liability company under Romanian Company Law (Law 31/1990) there are no restrictions regarding the use of profit.

8. Does the government provide any type of subsidy?

No for private care homes; yes, for public care homes, in certain conditions. A government project aimed to support via state aid the construction or rehabilitation of care homes is under discussion but has not been approved yet.

9. Is there a supervisory authority in relation to the activities of the care home?

The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection appoints Social Inspectors who oversee the activity of registered care homes. 

10. What is the number of inhabitants?

~18.80m (source: World Bank)

11. What is the number of inhabitants older than 65 (in %)?

18.33% (source: World Bank)

12. What is the number of care homes?

353 (source: World Bank)

13. Is there a waiting list?

There are no reliable statistics. However, a statistic from 2015 showed that 1,500 elderly people were on the waiting list for a space in a care home in Romania.

14. What institutions regulate and monitor the health and social care services?

N/A