Every three years, the Romanian Government approves the National Plan for Hospital Beds, which represents the total number of beds for which hospitals can conclude contracts with health insurance houses. Government Decision no. 401/2023 on the approval of the National Bed Plan for the period 2023–2025 maintained for each year a constant number of 117 284 beds across the country.
The Ministry of Health drafted the National Plan for Hospital Beds for the period 2026–2028 to be submitted to the government for approval. The plan provides a gradual decrease in the total number of beds, adding up to almost 12% over the next three years: 112 593 in 2026, 107 902 in 2027 and 103 211 in 2028. This measure is in accordance with the National Health Strategy 2024–2030, which envisages a starker rationalization in the use of hospital services through decreasing the number of beds while increasing the volume of services provided within primary and community care settings; hence, a gradual shifting of services from in-patient to out-patient facilities.
If approved by the government, the National Plan for Hospital Beds for the period 2026–2028 will become effective from 1 May 2026 on.