Health Care in Varna
Summary: Learn about the health system in Varna: how it can and cannot be used by expats, nomads, retirees and others moving to and living in Varna.
Varna has a public and private healthcare system. The public healthcare system is called the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and is used by both Bulgarians and foreigners. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Varna for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Varna are typically crowded and have long wait times, but the quality of care is generally good. Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Bulgaria. However, many expats choose to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery due to shorter wait times and better facilities. Private hospitals in Varna are typically well-equipped and offer a higher quality of care than public hospitals.
Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Varna
The most popular hospitals and clinics for expats in Varna are:
- University Hospital Varna - public hospital located in the city center
- St. Marina University Hospital - private hospital located in the city center
- Varna Eye Hospital - private hospital specializing in eye care located in the city center
- St. Anna University Hospital - private hospital located in the city center
- St. Panteleimon University Hospital - private hospital located in the city center
Emergency Services in Varna
Varna has an ambulance service that can be called by dialing 112. Ambulances typically arrive quickly, but there can be delays depending on the time of day and the severity of the emergency.
Health Insurance Companies in Varna
The most popular private health insurers in Varna are BTA, Euroins, and Allianz. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, although some may choose to use specialized expat health insurance providers.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.