Health & Safety
Health
Romania has a functioning healthcare system, with quality varying greatly between urban private clinics (modern, English-speaking) and rural state hospitals (outdated). No special vaccinations required — standard vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, polio) should be up to date. Tick protection should be considered for hikes in the Carpathians (FSME vaccination recommended). Bring your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). A travel health insurance is recommended, especially for rural areas and mountains.
Drinking Water
In large cities (Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu, Cluj), tap water is drinkable. In the countryside and small towns: Better to buy bottled water (0.50€ for 2l in the supermarket). In the mountains: Spring water is generally safe, but do not drink from stagnant waters.
Safety
Romania is a very safe travel destination for tourists. Violent crime against travelers is extremely rare. The most common issues:
| Risk | Rating | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pickpocketing | Low–Medium | Be cautious in Bucharest (public transport, old town) and tourist spots |
| Taxi fraud | Medium | Use Bolt/Uber only or official taxi apps |
| Road traffic | Medium | Aggressive drivers, potholes, horse-drawn carts — drive defensively |
| Stray dogs | Low | Significantly fewer than before, but still some in Bucharest |
| Bears (Carpathians) | Low | Only during hikes — bring bear spray, make noise |
Emergency number: 112 (works for police, fire, and ambulance services).
