Majority of Romanians residing overseas lack home belongings insurance, reveals study
In a revealing survey conducted by Allianz-Tiriac in April 2025, it has been found that Romanians living abroad have significantly higher insurance coverage rates compared to their counterparts in Romania.
The survey, which sampled 1,011 internet users in Romania, revealed that nearly 46% of Romanians living abroad have health insurance. This is a stark contrast to the domestic scene, where many Romanians lack insurance due to systemic issues in the healthcare system and labor market.
One of the key factors contributing to higher insurance coverage among expatriates is the well-established public or mandatory insurance systems in the countries they have moved to. For instance, in Norway, Germany, and Italy - popular destinations for Romanian immigrants - expats often become eligible for coverage through employment, residency, or social contributions.
In contrast, Romania has a public healthcare system with mandatory social health insurance, coordinated nationally by the National Health Insurance House (CNAS). However, a significant portion of the population remains uninsured or underinsured due to factors such as informal employment, lack of awareness, or inability to pay contributions.
Employment rates are relatively low in Romania compared to OECD countries, particularly for women. Informal or unstable employment can limit access to health insurance contributions, leaving many without coverage. This employment instability contrasts with emigrants who often move to countries with better labor protections and thus assured insurance.
The decision to migrate is often driven by seeking better economic opportunities and social protections, including healthcare. In destination countries, Romanians often acquire insurance through employer sponsorship or national systems for residents, which may be more comprehensive and enforced than in Romania.
The survey also highlighted that over 72% of Romanians living abroad have various forms of insurance in the countries they've moved to, with over 30% having home insurance and more than 23% having a life insurance policy.
On the financial support front, two in ten Romanians receive financial support from relatives in the diaspora monthly. However, only 11% of beneficiaries say the support they receive is enough to cover their current expenses. Nearly 16% say the support they receive is not sufficient but they manage. A smaller share, around 5%, benefit from health-related support from their relatives in the diaspora.
In 40% of cases, financial support from the diaspora is offered occasionally when urgent needs arise. Approximately 35% of families in Romania receive advice and useful information from their relatives in the diaspora. 32% of families in Romania are frequently visited by their relatives from the diaspora.
Virgil Șoncutean, CEO of Allianz-Tiriac Asigurări, stated that Romanians quickly learn how to protect themselves when they live in an environment that offers support and where they discover a culture centered on financial security.
Despite the challenges, there is a silver lining. Approximately 3.5% of families in Romania reported facing financial difficulties due to support from the diaspora, indicating that the majority of families are positively impacted by this financial assistance.
[1] National Health Insurance House (CNAS) - https://www.cnas.ro/ [2] Healthcare in Norway - https://www.health.no/ [3] Labour market in Romania - https://www.oecd.org/romania/topics/labour-and-employment/ [4] Health insurance spending in Romania - https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/253143/20230217_romania_health_financing_brief_en.pdf
- Expats living abroad, especially those in Norway, Germany, and Italy, often have higher personal-finance stability due to more comprehensive insurance coverages and better enforced systems, as compared to their counterparts in Romania.
- As a result of exposure to more structured financial systems, many Romanians living abroad have developed a greater understanding of the importance of personal-finance management, particularly in securing insurance policies to protect themselves.
