Are communal apartment buildings (blocks) acceptable for expat living?

Romania has many communist-era apartment blocks (blocuri) that are perfectly liveable and often renovated inside. The key factors are: heating type (central district heating vs. individual boiler), elevator condition, double-glazed windows (for warmth and noise), and the ground-floor security situation. Expats tend to prefer apartments in newer buildings or renovated interiors in older blocks. Floreasca villas and newer developments command premiums.

How does the utilities ('întreținere') system work?

Romanian leases typically quote rent excluding utilities. The 'întreținere' is a monthly communal fee covering water, rubbish removal, communal electricity, and often district heating. You typically pay this directly to the building administrator (administrator bloc). Electricity for the apartment itself is a separate personal bill. Always clarify what's included in the rent and what's additional before signing.

Is Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca a better base for expats?

It depends on your priorities. Bucharest: more international flights, larger expat community, bigger cultural and restaurant scene, more corporate offices. Cluj: cheaper, better quality of life, excellent tech scene, beautiful architecture, closer to Transylvania and mountains. Many expats initially choose Bucharest for logistics then move to Cluj for quality of life. A Cluj base with regular Bucharest or European flights for business is the increasingly popular model.

What's the situation with short-term rentals (Airbnb) in Bucharest?

Short-term rentals are widely available in Bucharest and priced at €40–€90/night for a 1-BR. Useful for the first 2–4 weeks while searching for a long-term lease. The key principle: never use short-term Airbnb rates as a guide to long-term lease costs, which are significantly lower. The coliving options (Podstel, First Coliving) are also worth considering for the first 1–3 months as managed, community-oriented alternatives.

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🇷🇴 Romania

Housing

Housing in Romania is affordable by EU standards. Bucharest 1-bedroom apartments average €510–€700/month in the city centre and €370–€470/month outside.

€510–€700/mo

1-BR Rent (Bucharest Centre)

Floreasca, Dorobanți, Victoriei areas

€370–€470/mo

1-BR Rent (Bucharest Outside)

Tineretului, Titan, Drumul Taberei

€330–€450/mo

1-BR Rent (Cluj Centre)

Old town, Mărăști, Zorilor

€1,200–€3,000/m²

Property Purchase (Bucharest)

Central areas; rapidly rising

~€130/mo

Utility Bills

Electricity, heating, water, rubbish; separate from rent

1 month rent

Agency Fee

Typically paid by tenant

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Bucharest 🏗️Cluj-Napoca

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Overview

Housing in Romania is affordable by EU standards. Bucharest 1-bedroom apartments average €510–€700/month in the city centre and €370–€470/month outside. Cluj-Napoca runs €330–€450/month in the centre and €230–€300/month outside. Property prices have risen significantly (30–50% in Bucharest since 2020) but remain well below comparable EU cities. The rental market requires navigating Romanian-language listings, but expat communities and agents help considerably.

Key Takeaways

Bucharest 1-BR furnished, city centre (Floreasca, Dorobanți, Victoriei): €510–€700/month
imobiliare.ro: Romania's largest real estate portal; extensive listings; predominantly in Romanian (Google Translate works well)
EU citizens: can purchase all property types including land, with no restrictions
Internet: 100–500 Mbps fibre available nationwide from Digi (RCS&RDS), Orange Romania, Telekom Romania, Vodafone; cost €10–20/month — among EU's fastest and cheapest

Renting in Romania

Renting is the most practical option for most expats. The market is active and prices have stabilised in 2025–2026 after sharp rises.

Bucharest 1-BR furnished, city centre (Floreasca, Dorobanți, Victoriei): €510–€700/month
Bucharest 1-BR furnished, outside centre (Tineretului, Titan, Militari): €370–€470/month
Bucharest 2-BR furnished city centre: €700–€1,000/month
Cluj-Napoca 1-BR centre (old town, Mărăști): €330–€450/month
Cluj-Napoca 1-BR outside centre: €230–€300/month
Note: utility bills ('întreținere') are typically NOT included in rent — clarify before signing; average utilities add ~€130/month
Standard lease: 12 months; deposit 1–2 months; agency fee 1 month (paid by tenant)
Leases are in Romanian — get a bilingual version or certified translation; a local agent helps

Finding an Apartment

Several platforms and communities help expats navigate Romania's rental market.

imobiliare.ro: Romania's largest real estate portal; extensive listings; predominantly in Romanian (Google Translate works well)
storia.ro: modern platform; some English listings; good search filters for furnished apartments
publi24.ro: classifieds with rental listings; broad coverage
Facebook Groups: 'Expats in Bucharest', 'Digital Nomads Romania', 'Cluj Expats and Digital Nomads' — active housing leads, landlord recommendations
coliving options: Podstel Bucharest (private rooms from ~€515/month including WiFi and community) and First Coliving Bucharest (€560–€840/month) for those who want managed housing
Local agents (agenție imobiliară): recommended for furnished expat-friendly apartments; commission 1 month's rent
Airbnb short-term strategy: stay 2–4 weeks while searching for long-term lease; prevents rushing into a bad deal

Buying Property

EU citizens can purchase property in Romania with no restrictions. Non-EU nationals have some limitations on land purchases.

EU citizens: can purchase all property types including land, with no restrictions
Non-EU nationals: can buy apartments and buildings; land purchase typically requires Romanian company or long-term residency
Bucharest property prices: €1,200–€3,000/m² depending on area (Floreasca, Dorobanți at upper end; outer areas at lower)
Cluj-Napoca: €1,000–€2,200/m² — rising fast due to tech sector demand
Property transfer tax: 3% of declared value + notary fees (~0.5–1%)
Capital gains: 10% on properties sold within 3 years of purchase; primary residence held 3+ years: tax-free
Rental yield in Bucharest: 4–6% gross; Cluj-Napoca: 4–7% gross

Utilities and Internet

Romania has excellent and cheap internet infrastructure — one of the EU's best values. Utility costs are reasonable.

Internet: 100–500 Mbps fibre available nationwide from Digi (RCS&RDS), Orange Romania, Telekom Romania, Vodafone; cost €10–20/month — among EU's fastest and cheapest
Digi (RCS&RDS): most popular provider; exceptional speeds at very low prices; ~€8–15/month for 500 Mbps
Mobile data: Orange, Vodafone, Telekom, Digi Mobile — competitive 4G/5G plans from €5–15/month
Electricity: ~RON 0.65–0.90/kWh; monthly cost €30–€70 for a 1-BR
Heating: district heating (termoficare) common in communist-era blocks; expensive in winter (€50–€100/month October–April)
Water: cheap (~€5–€10/month); tap water quality improving; many expats use filtered water for drinking
Total utilities average: ~€130/month in Bucharest for a 1-BR (heating included in winter calculation)

FAQs