Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarians have access to health care, but are dissatisfied with the prices

Photo: Alexandrovska Hospital in Sofia

Bulgaria ranks first in the EU in terms of the number of hospitals per number of people, according to a representative study on access to health care by Trend Agency and the Expert Club for Economics and Politics. There are 53 hospitals per 1 million people in the country. 

37% of Bulgarians are satisfied with access to health care, and 47% are not. 80% of patients are dissatisfied that they cannot quickly visit their GP or reach a specialist.

In the survey, the greatest disapproval is for the additional payment of the medicines. One in five has stopped their prescribed medication due to lack of money. 

53% see a serious problem with the cost for medical examinations. 27 % did not visit a specialist doctor due to lack of funds.

Access to health care in the country is much faster compared to other European countries, experts comment, but patients pay for 40% of the healthcare costs.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Todor Kapitanov

The blockade of Sofia's public transport to be lifted on Tuesday

Public transport in Sofia will resume as of Tuesday, May 20, Todor Kapitanov, Vice President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), told journalists. Today, at a meeting between Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov and trade union..

published on 5/19/25 7:27 PM

Morning sun, afternoon showers, temperatures remain low for the season

On Tuesday, minimum temperatures will range from 8 to 12°C. In Sofia, it will be around 8 °C. The day will be mostly sunny, with scattered clouds and a chance of light rain in the afternoon. The wind will blow from the west-northwest, reaching moderate..

published on 5/19/25 7:05 PM
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev

The Mayor of Sofia calls GERB's actions regarding the transport strike populist

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev accused GERB leader Boyko Borissov and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov of populism and reckless actions. Earlier today, the government announced it would allocate an additional 15 million leva (7.7 million euros) in subsidies..

published on 5/19/25 5:48 PM