Practical A–Z

EU Citizens

Romania has been an EU member since 2007. As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient. Romania joined the Schengen Area in March 2024 (initially for air and sea borders) — border controls at land borders may still occur.

Stay: Unlimited for EU citizens. For stays over 3 months: Registration with the immigration authority is required.

Swiss Citizens

Same rules as EU citizens. Passport or ID is sufficient.

Currency & Money

Romania's currency is the Romanian Leu (RON), plural Lei. 1 Euro ≈ 5 RON (relatively stable). Cash is still important in rural areas — in cities, you can pay almost everywhere by card. ATMs (Bancomat) are available everywhere, even in small towns. Note: Some ATMs offer "dynamic currency conversion" — always withdraw in RON, never in Euro (worse rate). Exchange offices (Casa de Schimb) in the city offer better rates than at the airport.

Language

Romanian is a Romance language — related to Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. If you speak one of these languages, you will recognize many words. English is widely spoken in cities and among the younger generation. In rural areas and among older people: Use hands, feet, and a dictionary.

The Most Important Words

Internet & Mobile

Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German mobile contract in Romania without additional costs. Romania's mobile network is excellent — the country has one of the fastest mobile internets in Europe (thanks to early 4G/5G rollout by Digi, Orange, and Vodafone). Even in rural areas, coverage is usually good. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

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with quality varying greatly between urban private clinics (modern, English-speaking) and rural state hospitals (outdated).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:

Emergency number: 112 (works for police, fire, and ambulance services).

Summer (May–September)

• Light clothing + jacket: Summer-like during the day, cool in the mountains in the evening (10–15°C). A light jacket or sweater is a must.
• Hiking boots: For the Carpathians and rural areas. Waterproof and ankle-high.
• Sun protection: In Wallachia and on the coast, it can exceed 35°C. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• Mosquito spray: Essential for the Danube Delta. DEET 30%+.
• Rain jacket: Afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains are common (July/August).

Winter (November–March)

• Warm clothing: In the Carpathians and Bukovina: -10 to -20°C. Thermal underwear, down jacket, hat, gloves.
• Winter boots: For snowy cities and villages. Lined and slip-resistant.
• Layers: In Bucharest, temperatures are usually around 0°C — it's always warm indoors.

Year-round

• Travel adapter: Type C/F — German plugs fit, no adapter needed!
• Cash: In rural areas, card payment is not always possible. Always carry a few hundred Lei (100–200 RON).
• Small gift: If invited by a family in the countryside: German chocolate, coffee, or a bottle of wine are always welcome.
• Head covering for churches: In Orthodox churches and monasteries: Cover shoulders and knees. Women sometimes need a headscarf (often lent at the entrance).
• Offline maps: Download Google Maps or Maps.me offline — network can be weak in rural areas.