Southeast Europe · UN member
Romania: Travel Guide & Requirements
· România
Romania is a country in Southeast Europe with its capital in Bucharest. It has a population of 19.0 million (#67 in the world) and covers 238,391 km². The official language is Romanian. The currency is the Romanian leu (RON, lei).
Where is Romania? Map of Romania
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine.
- Region
- Southeast Europe
- Coordinates
- 46° N, 25° E
- Neighbours
- 5 — see list
- Coastline
- 225 km
- Romania
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Romania showing Bucharest (capital) and the largest cities: Iaşi, Constanţa, Cluj-Napoca, Braşov, Timişoara, Craiova, Galaţi and Târgu Mureş.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Romania
- Passport
Romania's Foreign Ministry says foreigners entering the Schengen Area (including Romania) must hold a travel document valid for at least three months from the planned date of departure from the territory of the Member S…
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 93 need no visa, 105 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Romania entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement. The Schengen Borders Code says Annex I contains a non-exhaustive list of supporting documents a border guard may request from a third-country national, and that list includes a return or round-trip ticket.
- Proof of funds
Romania's Foreign Ministry lists, among the conditions for entering the Schengen Area, sufficient means of subsistence both for the planned stay and for the return to the country of origin or transit to a third country.
- Travel insurance
Under the EU Visa Code, applicants for a Schengen visa must prove that they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance, valid throughout the territory of the Member States for the entire period of the intended sta…
- Arrival card
The UK government's travel advice says that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays you may need to register biometric details such as fingerprints and a photo, that on your first visit you may be asked t…
- Customs allowance
The EU says that if you plan to enter or leave the EU with €10,000 in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it to the customs authorities in the EU country you are entering or leaving.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Romania
- Safety: Yes — Romania is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Romania Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: May and September — when daytime highs in Bucharest are around 24–26°C.
- Money: the Romanian leu (RON) — 1 US dollar is about 4.7648 RON.
- Plugs: type C and F, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112, Ambulance 112, Fire 112.
- Language: Romanian is official.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 130 km/h on motorways.
- Time zone: UTC+2 in Bucharest.
- Capital: Bucharest. About 19.0 million people live in Romania.
- Outdoors: 13 national parks and 57 ski areas.
Key facts
Romania at a glance
Languages spoken: Romanian (official) 91.6%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 0.7% (2021 est.)
Geography & history
About Romania
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and …
Read the full history
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia -- for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire -- secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories -- most notably Transylvania -- that more than doubled its size. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain
central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
Highest point
Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower
Natural hazards
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
National symbols
golden eagle
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Romania
The default speed limits in Romania are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 130 km/h on motorways. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.8‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 2020 km/hResidential zonesLiving streets & residential areas
- 5050 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- 9090 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWith a trailer: 80 km/h
- 130130 km/hMotorwaysMotorways / freewaysWith a trailer: 120 km/h
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 Vienna, 1949 Geneva, 1926 ParisCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Alcohol limit0.8‰ blood alcohol (0.08% BAC)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)9.6 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Romania safe to visit?
Yes — Romania is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Romania Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: New information about drones crossing into Romanian airspace (‘Safety and security’ page).
Updated 18 Sep 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Romania
The best time to visit Romania is May and September, when daytime highs in Bucharest are around 24–26°C. June is also a good time to go. August is the warmest month (32°C by day), January the coldest (-5°C at night), and June the wettest with about 79 mm of rain.
- Jan2°C-5°C
- Feb6°C-4°C
- Mar12°C1°C
- Apr18°C6°C
- May24°C12°C
- Jun29°C16°C
- Jul32°C19°C
- Aug32°C18°C
- Sep26°C13°C
- Oct18°C7°C
- Nov11°C2°C
- Dec4°C-3°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Romania
Plugs & sockets
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
112 works from any mobile phone, even without a SIM card in most networks. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ski resorts
57 ski resorts in Romania
- 190 km of slopes
- 154 lifts
- up to 2,084 m
Biggest: Sinaia · Poiana Brașov · Muntele Mic
National parks
13 national parks in Romania
- 2,799 km² protected
- oldest from 1988
Largest: Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park · Rodna National Park · Retezat National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Romanian leu exchange rates today
Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON, lei). One US dollar buys 4.7648 RON; over the last 30 days the RON has lost 2.9% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in RON
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Romania ranks
How Romania compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Romania
182 airports and airfields — 12 large, 9 medium and 90 small, plus 71 heliports. 16 have scheduled passenger flights.
Military
Romanian armed forces
Romania ranks #47 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $9.7 billion (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Bucharest (1.8 million)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
electric machinery and equipment, auto assembly, textiles and footwear, light machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining, mining, timber, construction materials
Export partners
Germany 19%, Italy 10%, France 6%, UK 5%, Hungary 4% (2023)
Top exports
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, insulated wire, garments, wheat (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Romania
Next public holiday
St. Andrew's Day — Monday, 30 November 2026. Then National Day/Great Union (1 Dec).
Romanian passport
Ranked #27: 119 countries visa-free, 34 with visa on arrival, 7 with an eTA and 21 with an eVisa.
Romanian passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Romania's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Romania
Dial +40 before the local number. Internet domain .ro.
Climate footprint
68.6 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 3.61 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Romania: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Romania
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Serbian crews sail to Timișoara as Bega Canal regatta tests new moorings
Recreational boats from Serbia reached central Timișoara in September 2026 for the fourth Regata Bega, using temporary moorings set up for the event.…
Japan drops visa application fees for travellers from 63 countries
Japan has published a list of 63 countries and regions whose nationals do not pay the visa application fee. Honduras is among the American countries …
Frequently asked questions about Romania
What do I need to travel to Romania?
How long must my passport be valid for Romania?
Where is Romania?
What is Romania known for?
What is the capital of Romania?
What language is spoken in Romania?
What currency does Romania use?
What is the calling code of Romania?
Which countries border Romania?
How strong is the Romanian passport?
What is the speed limit in Romania?
Is Romania safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Romania?
What plug type does Romania use?
How many airports does Romania have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.