St Marina Hospital Varna: emergency care, St Anna and private clinics
In an emergency call 112. Varna's main 24/7 emergency department for adults and children is at UMBAL Sveta Marina, 1 Hristo Smirnenski Blvd.
In any emergency in Varna, call 112: it is free, works 24/7 and sends an ambulance, the police or the fire service. If you need a hospital emergency department, the main one for both adults and children is at UMBAL Sveta Marina, 1 Hristo Smirnenski Blvd, in the Sotira area in the north-east of the city. Private clinics are for appointments and tests, not for emergencies.
Which hospital should I go to?
| Situation | Where |
|---|---|
| Life-threatening (chest pain, stroke signs, serious accident) | Call 112, do not drive yourself |
| Urgent problem, adult | Sveta Marina emergency department, 24/7 (052 978 205 or 052 978 392) |
| Urgent problem, child | Sveta Marina emergency department, 24/7 (children: 052 978 375) |
| Infectious disease (e.g. serious gastroenteritis) | Sveta Marina infectious diseases clinics, 100 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd (052 978 705) |
| Planned check-up, scan, specialist | A private medical centre such as Acibadem City Clinic Varna |
The hospital switchboard is 052 30 28 51 to 54. Numbers are from the hospital’s contact page as of 2026-10.
What about St Anna and the private clinics?
MBAL Sveta Anna – Varna is a multi-profile hospital at 100 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd (switchboard 052 655 911). It is closer to the centre, but call first to check which department can help you. Acibadem City Clinic Varna at 1 Bregalnitsa St is a private medical centre (phone 0700 33 900). It is good for specialist appointments and diagnostics; it is not a 24/7 emergency department.
Can I use my EHIC in Varna?
EU, EEA and Swiss visitors can use the European Health Insurance Card at providers that are part of the public system, with the same rights as people insured in Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s health fund (NZOK) charges insured people a small user fee per doctor visit and per hospital day, so expect to pay it too. The EHIC does not cover private clinics, rescue or repatriation. Keep receipts and the discharge summary (epikriza) if you pay anything.
I am not from the EU. What should I do?
Bring travel insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation, and keep your policy number and the insurer’s 24/7 assistance line on your phone. Emergency care is given first, but you may be asked to pay for treatment and claim it back later. Check the cover with your insurer before you travel.
What if it is not an emergency?
For minor problems, start at a pharmacy (apteka, green cross): pharmacists can advise and tell you when to see a doctor. Bulgarian GPs (lichen lekar) work by appointment and visitors are not registered with one, so outside their hours an urgent problem goes to the emergency department. Private medical centres can usually book a specialist within days.
How do I get to Sveta Marina?
Take a taxi (say “Bolnitsa Sveta Marina”) or check the city buses in the buses and tickets guide. Do not drive if you feel unwell. See also taxis and getting around.
A short checklist
- Save 112 and the hospital numbers in your phone.
- Carry your ID or passport, EHIC or insurance details and a list of your medicines.
- Note your address in Varna for the ambulance dispatcher.
More basics are in everyday essentials in Varna and Black Sea swimming safety. This page is practical information, not medical advice.
Moving to Varna? What public health insurance costs foreigners in 2026 and how to choose a GP is explained in health insurance in Bulgaria on New in Varna; for teeth, see dental treatment in Varna.
Sources
- UMBAL Sveta Marina – official website
- UMBAL Sveta Marina – contacts (emergency department numbers)
- National 112 system
- MBAL Sveta Anna – Varna – contacts
- Acibadem City Clinic – Varna
- Acibadem International – Acibadem City Clinic Medical Center Varna
- GOV.UK – List of medical facilities in Bulgaria
- Your Europe – Unplanned healthcare on temporary stays (EHIC)
- NHIF (NZOK) – European Health Insurance Card
- NHIF (NZOK) – user fee
The list 3
UMBAL Sveta Marina✨ Good right now
Varna's largest hospital and the city's main emergency department, open 24/7 for adults and children. Switchboard 052 30 28 51 to 54; adult emergencies 052 978 205 or 052 978 392, children 052 978 375.
Best for: Emergencies for adults and children, any time
MBAL Sveta Anna – Varna✨ Good right now
A multi-profile hospital on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. Its switchboard is 052 655 911; call ahead to check which department can see you, and use 112 in a real emergency.
Best for: Hospital care closer to the centre; check by phone first
Frequently asked questions
Where is the emergency department in Varna?
The main 24/7 emergency department for adults and children is at UMBAL Sveta Marina, 1 Hristo Smirnenski Blvd. In a life-threatening situation, call 112 rather than travelling there yourself.
Where do I take a child in an emergency in Varna?
Sveta Marina's emergency department also treats children; its children's emergency line is 052 978 375. If the child is seriously ill or injured, call 112.
Can I use my EHIC in Varna?
Yes, at providers that are part of the public system, with the same rights as people insured in Bulgaria. The EHIC does not cover private clinics or repatriation, so travel insurance is still worth having.
Is Acibadem City Clinic in Varna an emergency hospital?
No. Acibadem City Clinic in Varna is listed as a private medical centre at 1 Bregalnitsa St (phone 0700 33 900) for appointments and diagnostics, not a 24/7 emergency department.
