Is Romania's Schengen accession in January 2025 significant for expats?

Yes — particularly for those who travel frequently within Europe. Before January 2025, crossing from Romania into Hungary, Austria, or Bulgaria involved passport checks. Now it's seamless. A Romanian residence permit gives you the same Schengen mobility as any other member state's permit. This also affects shipping and logistics — cross-Schengen goods movement is simplified.

How long does it actually take to get settled in Bucharest?

Allow 6–8 weeks for the full setup: initial accommodation (2–4 weeks), long-term apartment lease (2–3 weeks with searching), bank account (1–3 days once permit available), ONRC/PFA registration (3–5 days), accountant engaged. The DN visa permit itself takes 2–3 months total from the D-visa application, so most expats complete the permit process during the initial Bucharest settling period.

What's the best way to get from Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca to compare them?

Blue Air and Tarom fly Bucharest–Cluj in about 1 hour (€30–€80 return). The train (CFR Călători) runs several daily services in 7–8 hours but is unreliable for timing. By car it's about 5.5 hours on the emerging A3 motorway (Autostrada Transilvania — partially complete; check current status). Most expats evaluating both cities do a 2–3 day trip to each before committing.

Is Romania safe for solo female travellers and expats?

Generally yes. Romania ranks comparably to other EU Central/Eastern European countries for personal safety. Bucharest city centre at night requires normal urban awareness. The biggest practical safety issue is traffic — Bucharest driving is aggressive and pedestrian crossings are not always respected. Multiple solo female expats in both Bucharest and Cluj report feeling safe as part of their long-term experience.

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🇷🇴 Romania

Moving Guide

No visa — register in 3 months

EU Citizens

Automatic right of residence; primărie registration

2–3 months total

Non-EU — DN Visa

D-type visa + residence permit at IGI

~3 hrs

Flight from London

Wizz Air, Ryanair, Blue Air to Bucharest OTP or Cluj

~4 hrs

Drive from Budapest

Via motorway to Cluj-Napoca

~7 hrs

Drive from Vienna

Via Hungary; motorway connection

Since Jan 2025

Romania in Schengen

No border controls with Schengen neighbours

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Bucharest 🏗️Cluj-Napoca

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Moving to Romania is straightforward for EU citizens — no visa, register within 3 months. For non-EU nationals, the two-stage Digital Nomad Visa process takes 2–3 months; income requirement is high (~€5,800/month). Shipping from Western Europe is well-served by Balkan road freight corridors and direct routes. Romania's Schengen accession (January 2025) simplified border crossing from EU neighbours.

Key Takeaways

Non-EU nationals: begin D-type visa application at Romanian embassy 3–4 months before intended arrival; gather all required documents in advance
Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP): metro connection (Line 4) to city centre (~45 min, €1.30); Bolt taxi to centre €15–€25; avoid unlicensed taxis outside arrivals
Road freight from Western Europe: well-established Balkan logistics corridors; multiple companies service Romania; typical pallet from Germany/UK: €200–€500
American International School of Bucharest (AISB): US curriculum; NEASC accredited; PK–12; fees approximately €9,000–€17,000/year; top expat family choice

Before You Move

Preparation before arriving in Romania reduces friction significantly.

Non-EU nationals: begin D-type visa application at Romanian embassy 3–4 months before intended arrival; gather all required documents in advance
Secure health insurance covering Romania with minimum €30,000 coverage before the D-visa application
Get your criminal record apostilled — allow several weeks; some countries have lengthy processes
Find temporary accommodation (Airbnb or coliving: Podstel, First Coliving) for the first 4–6 weeks while searching for a long-term lease
Open a Wise or Revolut account before leaving — essential until you establish a Romanian bank account
Research Romanian accountants before arrival if you plan to register a PFA or SRL — Accace, Mazars Romania, and specialist firms like Taxhouse are expat-friendly
Buy a local SIM at the airport: Digi, Orange, Vodafone, and Telekom Romania all have airport kiosks

Arriving in Romania

First steps upon arrival in Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca.

Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP): metro connection (Line 4) to city centre (~45 min, €1.30); Bolt taxi to centre €15–€25; avoid unlicensed taxis outside arrivals
Cluj Airport (CLJ): Bolt taxi to city centre €10–€15; public bus also available
EU citizens: register with the local primărie (town hall) within 3 months; bring passport, lease, and registration form
Non-EU nationals on D-visa: apply for residence permit at IGI (str. Cosași 3, Bucharest, or local county office for Cluj) within 14 days of arrival ideally; appointment required (book via igav.gov.ro)
Romanian TIN (CNP for individuals / CUI for businesses): obtained as part of registration processes
Bank account: ING Romania recommended (best English-language app); bring passport + proof of address; EU citizens can open account immediately, non-EU may need permit first
Join communities: 'Expats in Bucharest' and 'Cluj Expats' Facebook groups; active, welcoming, and full of practical on-the-ground advice

Shipping Belongings and Bringing Pets

Practical logistics for relocating to Romania.

Road freight from Western Europe: well-established Balkan logistics corridors; multiple companies service Romania; typical pallet from Germany/UK: €200–€500
Romania's Schengen membership since January 2025 simplifies overland transit — no border formalities with Schengen neighbours
Customs: personal belongings for new residents with documented residency typically exempt from import duty within 6–12 months; keep receipts and permit documentation
Voltage: 230V/50Hz (EU standard); UK appliances need Type F adaptor
Pets (EU/Schengen): standard EU pet travel rules — microchip, EU pet passport, rabies vaccination 21+ days before entry; Romania is Schengen so no additional border formalities
Veterinary care: well-developed private vet sector in Bucharest and Cluj; costs significantly below Western Europe
Car: Romanian roads have improved significantly with EU motorway funding; driving to Romania from Western Europe via the A1/E68 corridor is practical

Schools and Moving with Children

Bucharest has good international schooling options; Cluj has developing options.

American International School of Bucharest (AISB): US curriculum; NEASC accredited; PK–12; fees approximately €9,000–€17,000/year; top expat family choice
British School of Bucharest (BSB): UK National Curriculum; IGCSE and A-Levels; fees approximately €7,000–€12,000/year
Mark Twain International School: US and Romanian hybrid curriculum; bilingual; lower fees than AISB/BSB
International School of Cluj-Napoca: smaller; IB curriculum; developing options for Cluj-based families
Romanian state schools: free; Romanian-medium; competitive academically (strong maths/sciences tradition); practical option for children who will learn Romanian
Romanian is a Romance language — children from French, Italian, or Spanish backgrounds adapt faster than Germanic language speakers

FAQs