The Terveystalo Group, Finland’s largest private healthcare provider, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Romanian medical services company Regina Maria from private equity investor Mid Europa Partners, according to Ziarul Financiar. The deal is estimated at €1.0bn-1.2bn.

Mid Europa Partners has initiated a competitive sale process for Regina Maria, attracting interest from both strategic and financial investors. Also among the bidders is Turkey’s Acibadem Group, one of the country’s leading private healthcare providers.

Regina Maria, one of the largest players in Romania’s private healthcare sector, generated revenues of RON1.9bn (€380mn) in 2023. By comparison, Terveystalo recorded €1.3bn in revenues last year and operates 377 clinics with 14,500 employees in Finland, alongside a smaller presence in Sweden.

Mid Europa Partners, which has owned Regina Maria since 2015, resumed sale efforts earlier this year, targeting a price of at least €1bn. The shortlist of potential buyers is expected to be finalised by the end of autumn. This marks the fund’s second attempt to sell the network after a 2019 process was abandoned due to underwhelming offers.

The Romanian private healthcare market has garnered increasing attention from international investors due to its growth potential and strategic importance.

Past interest in Regina Maria has included bids from China’s Sino CEEF and the Humanitas healthcare arm of Italy’s Techint Group. Acibadem Group is also reportedly considering a direct acquisition, highlighting its commitment to expanding in Eastern Europe.

For Terveystalo, a successful bid for Regina Maria would mark a significant expansion outside the Nordic region, cementing its position as a major player in Europe’s private healthcare sector.