Romania

🇷🇴

Phone Code

+40

Capital

Bucharest

Population

19 Million

Native Name

România

Region

Europe

Eastern Europe

Timezone

Eastern European Time

UTC+02:00

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Money & CurrencyVisa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesCitiesEmbassies abroadEmbassies in country

Romania is a southeastern European country bordered by Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, and the Black Sea. Bucharest serves as the capital and largest city (1.8 million, metropolitan 2.1+ million). Romania has a population of approximately 19 million. The country's name derives from Latin 'Romanus' - Romanians speak a Romance language descended from Latin, unique among Eastern European nations. Romania's history includes Roman Dacia province (106-271 AD), medieval principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, Ottoman influence, Austro-Hungarian rule in Transylvania, unification in 1859, expansion after WWI (Greater Romania), WWII devastation, communist dictatorship under Nicolae Ceaușescu (1965-1989 - repressive regime ended by revolution), democratic transition, and European Union membership (2007). Romania joined Schengen Area for air and sea borders in 2024, with full land border Schengen membership planned for 2025. Modern Romania is renowned for medieval Transylvania region with fortified Saxon towns (Brașov, Sighișoara, Sibiu), Dracula legend and Bran Castle, Carpathian Mountains offering hiking and skiing, painted monasteries of Bucovina (UNESCO sites with elaborate exterior frescoes), Bucharest's grand architecture including massive Palace of Parliament (world's second-largest administrative building), Danube Delta (UNESCO biosphere reserve, Europe's best-preserved delta), Black Sea coast resorts, rural traditions in traditional villages (Maramureș with wooden churches), and very affordable costs making it attractive budget destination. Tourism has grown significantly with 13+ million annual visitors. Romania offers visa-free entry for citizens of the EU/EEA, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other countries for 90 days. The country is safe for tourism with moderate crime levels, and offers authentic Eastern European experiences without mass tourism found in Western Europe.

Visa Requirements for Romania

Romania is an EU member state and joined the Schengen Area for air and sea borders in 2024, with full land border Schengen membership planned for 2025. For visa purposes, Romania currently maintains separate visa policies from core Schengen countries, though Schengen visas are valid for Romania. Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom (post-Brexit), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Latin American countries enjoy visa-free entry for tourism and business for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have unlimited freedom of movement and residence. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Romania (or 6 months from entry for some nationalities). Proof of sufficient funds and return ticket may be requested at border though rarely checked. Entry through Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca Airport, or land borders with Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia. Once Romania joins Schengen land borders (2025), entry procedures will align fully with Schengen rules - travelers entering Romania will enter the Schengen Area with time counting toward the 90-day Schengen limit. Citizens of approximately 100+ countries require visas applied through Romanian consulates or embassies with documentation similar to Schengen visa requirements (application, passport valid 3-6 months, travel insurance, accommodation proof, financial means, return ticket, visa fee approximately €80). Schengen visas (Type C) issued by other Schengen countries are valid for travel to Romania. Romania follows standard EU visa policies with low rejection rates. Travel is generally safe with moderate infrastructure (improving significantly with EU investment), affordable costs, and growing tourism facilities. English proficiency is reasonable in cities and tourist areas among younger generations.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry (Tourism/Business)

90 days within any 180-day period; passport valid 3-6 months (varies by nationality - generally 3 months beyond departure or 6 months from entry); no advance application needed; entry stamp at border (airport or land crossing); proof of funds, return ticket, accommodation may be requested but rarely checked; straightforward entry process; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have unlimited freedom of movement and residence; UK citizens post-Brexit have 90-day visa-free access; note that once Romania joins Schengen land borders (planned 2025), time in Romania will count toward cumulative 90-day Schengen limit across all Schengen countries; extensions generally not possible - must exit Romania/EU for 90 days before returning; Romania's visa-free policies align with EU standards.

For tourism or business for citizens of approximately 60 countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most of Latin America.

Romanian National Visa (Type D for Long-Stay)

Typically 1 year initially, renewable; requires specific purpose documentation: employment (work permit and employer contract for work visas), university acceptance letter and enrollment proof (for student visas), family relationship proof and sponsorship (for reunification), or financial independence proof (for retirees/investors); apply at Romanian consulate/embassy before travel; documents include application form, passport (valid 6+ months), passport photos, health insurance, police clearance, medical certificate, purpose-specific documents (work contract, university acceptance, etc.), visa fee (approximately €120); processing 1-3 months; approval grants Type D long-stay visa allowing entry and stay for specified purpose; after arrival, apply for residence permit (permis de ședere) at Immigration Office; residence permits issued for 1-2 years renewable; allows residence and work (if work visa); pathways to permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence; citizenship possible after 8 years of legal residence (5 years for spouses of Romanian citizens) with Romanian language proficiency required; Romania has growing IT sector (Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest tech hubs) employing foreign developers; students can study at Romanian universities (some programs in English, tuition much lower than Western Europe).

For stays exceeding 90 days for work, study, family reunification, or residence purposes.

Schengen Visa (Type C) Valid for Romania

Up to 90 days within 180-day period; Schengen visas (Type C) issued by any Schengen country are valid for travel to Romania even before full Schengen land border integration; Romanian consulates also issue Schengen-equivalent visas; requires standard Schengen documentation (application form, passport valid 3+ months beyond stay, passport photo, travel insurance minimum €30,000 coverage, proof of accommodation, flight reservations, financial proof, visa fee €80 adults / €40 children 6-12); processing 15 calendar days typically; single, double, or multiple entry granted; allows travel to Romania and other Schengen countries; standard Schengen visa process; approximately 100+ nationalities require visas including China, India, Russia, Turkey, and most African countries.

Short-stay visa for tourism, business, or visits for citizens of countries requiring visas, issued by Schengen member states.

Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Work)

1 year initially, renewable once for 1 year (maximum 2 years total); introduced 2024 to attract remote workers; requires employment contract with company outside Romania, or business ownership outside Romania providing remote services; minimum monthly income requirement approximately €3,700 gross (or equivalent in other currencies) for 6 months prior to application; apply at Romanian consulate/embassy; documents include employment contract or business registration, proof of income (salary statements, contracts, bank statements for 6 months), health insurance (valid in Romania, minimum coverage), accommodation proof in Romania (rental agreement or property ownership), clean criminal record, passport (valid 6+ months), application forms, visa fee; processing 1-3 months; approval grants entry visa to apply for digital nomad residence permit in Romania; allows legal residence and remote work for foreign employers/clients (cannot work for Romanian companies without separate work permit); Romania offers affordable cost of living ($1,000-1,800/month comfortable lifestyle in Bucharest, less in other cities), good internet infrastructure (some of world's fastest internet speeds), coworking spaces, and growing digital nomad community; Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Brașov, and Timișoara popular with remote workers; competitive advantage over more expensive Western European digital nomad visas.

For remote workers and digital nomads employed by companies outside Romania or running businesses abroad.

Important Travel Information

Transylvania and Dracula Tourism: Transylvania (meaning 'beyond the forest') is Romania's most famous region, located in central Romania surrounded by the arc of the Carpathian Mountains. The region was historically inhabited by Romanians, Hungarians (Székelys), and Germans (Saxons) who built fortified towns and churches. Today Transylvania attracts tourists for medieval Saxon towns and the Dracula legend based on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel character loosely inspired by Vlad III (Vlad Țepeș, Vlad the Impaler, 1428-1476), a Wallachian prince who fought Ottoman expansion and was known for brutal tactics impaling enemies on stakes. Vlad ruled from Târgoviște (his palace ruins exist) but has tenuous connection to Transylvania beyond Stoker's fictional association. Bran Castle near Brașov is marketed as 'Dracula's Castle' due to its gothic appearance matching Stoker's description - in reality, Vlad may have visited briefly but never lived there. The castle (built 1377-1388) served as fortress and royal residence. Today it's a museum with medieval artifacts and vampire tourism kitsch (entry 55 RON/$12). More authentic Vlad sites include Poenari Castle ruins (his actual fortress, requiring 1,480 steps to reach, dramatic mountain setting) and Curtea Domnească in Bucharest. Despite commercialization, Transylvania's medieval towns are genuinely spectacular: Brașov (Gothic Black Church, Council Square, cable car to Mt. Tâmpa), Sighișoara (UNESCO site, Vlad's birthplace, perfectly preserved citadel with Clock Tower and cobblestone streets), Sibiu (European Capital of Culture 2007, beautiful squares and Liar's Bridge), and Cluj-Napoca (vibrant university city, Romania's second-largest). The Carpathian landscapes, fortified Saxon churches (UNESCO sites), and rural traditions create authentic medieval atmosphere beyond Dracula tourism.

Painted Monasteries of Bucovina: The painted monasteries of Bucovina (northern Moldova region) are Romania's most unique cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built in the 15th-16th centuries during Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great's reign, these Orthodox monasteries feature extraordinary exterior frescoes covering entire outer walls - a rare architectural feature virtually unique to this region. The frescoes depict biblical scenes, Last Judgment, saints, Tree of Jesse, and siege of Constantinople in vivid colors (especially Voroneț blue - a unique blue pigment whose composition remains partially mysterious) that have survived 500+ years of weather exposure due to special preparation techniques. Key monasteries include: Voroneț (1488, 'Sistine Chapel of the East,' famous for brilliant Voroneț blue and Last Judgment fresco covering entire western wall), Humor (1530, red-brown tones, well-preserved frescoes with Siege of Constantinople), Moldovița (1532, yellow-ochre tones, fortified walls), Sucevița (1582, largest, green-toned frescoes, best-preserved, fortified monastery complex), and Arbore (1503, exterior and interior frescoes). These monasteries served religious, defensive, and cultural preservation roles during Ottoman conflicts. Visiting requires touring multiple monasteries (half-day or full-day tours from Suceava or Gura Humorului, $40-80 with guide and transport) as they're spread across rural Bucovina (20-40km apart). Modest dress required (covered shoulders and knees, headscarves for women entering churches). Best visited May-September when weather allows appreciation of outdoor frescoes. The painted monasteries represent pinnacle of Byzantine religious art and Romanian cultural heritage, offering insight into medieval Orthodox spirituality and artistic achievement.

Bucharest - Little Paris and Communist Legacy: Bucharest, Romania's capital, earned the nickname 'Little Paris of the East' in the early 20th century due to French-influenced Belle Époque architecture, wide boulevards, and cultural sophistication. However, much of historic Bucharest was demolished in the 1980s under communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu to build grandiose socialist structures. The Palace of Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului, formerly House of the People) is the overwhelming centerpiece - the world's second-largest administrative building by floor area (after Pentagon), built 1984-1997 using 700 architects, 20,000 workers, and enormous quantities of marble, wood, crystal, and gold. The massive structure (330,000 m², 1,100 rooms, 12 stories above ground, 8 underground levels) symbolizes communist megalomania and wasteful excess during a period of severe economic hardship for Romanians. Today it houses Parliament and can be toured (45-60 minute guided tours, 45 RON/$10, advance booking required). Bucharest also features the Old Town (Lipscani) with narrow streets, 15th-19th century buildings (heavily restored), restaurants, bars, and nightlife; Revolution Square where Ceaușescu gave his last speech before fleeing (December 1989); Ceaușescu Mansion (Spring Palace) showcasing dictator's opulent lifestyle (tours 40 RON/$9); Village Museum (open-air museum with traditional Romanian village houses from various regions); and Herăstrău Park (large park with lake, ideal for walking). Romanian Athenaeum concert hall (1888) is an architectural gem. Bucharest has vibrant cultural life, affordable dining ($8-15 for restaurant meals), good nightlife, and improving infrastructure. The city juxtaposes communist brutalism with belle époque elegance, creating unique character. Budget 2-3 days to explore. Gateway to visiting Brașov/Transylvania (2.5-3 hours by train/bus).

Cities with missions

Where this country maintains embassies or consulates

Bucharest
States & Regions in Romania

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Hosted missions

Embassies in Romania

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Key origin countries

United Kingdom in Romania
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