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Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:听

• 蝉别别听general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• 蝉别别听general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about听safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and听get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out听more about听FCDO听travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Romania set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .

Passport validity requirements

Romania follows . Your passport must have:听

• a 鈥榙ate of issue鈥� less than 10 years before the date you arrive 鈥� if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.听Renew your passport听if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Carry your passport if you travel from Romania to other Schengen area countries. Border guards will check it if you cross land or river borders into Bulgaria or Hungary, both are in the Schengen area.听

There are no routine checks when travelling by air or sea within the Schengen area, but carry your passport in case you鈥檙e asked for it.听听

Visa requirements听听

You can travel without a visa to the鈥疭chengen area, which includes Romania, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:听

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Romania are different.

If you鈥檙e travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.听If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

If you鈥檙e a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.听

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

You may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period听

To stay longer, check which type of visa or work permit you need with the鈥�.听

If you鈥檙e in Romania with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.听

Read about鈥�passport stamping if you live in Romania.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about听听(in Romanian). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into Romania

You cannot take . There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Romania

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.听

Leaving Romania with children aged 17 and under

To leave Romania with a child aged 17 and under who holds Romanian citizenship, you may need to show notarised parental consent if:

• you are not the child鈥檚 parent
• you are a parent but the other parent is not travelling with you

For more information, contact the .

For a list of the public notaries, see the听 website.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.鈥�

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on听听and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out听how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Romania

Although there鈥檚 no recent history of terrorism in Romania, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.

Political situation and demonstrations

There is widespread military activity in neighbouring Ukraine. See听Ukraine travel advice.

Public demonstrations are common. Marches and gatherings are mostly peaceful and well-policed, but take extra care in crowded places. Demonstrations, marches and gatherings can attract violence. Monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Crime

Protecting your belongings

Be alert to petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Thieves use distraction techniques and can carry out organised attacks in groups. Take care of your passport, money and personal belongings, particularly:

• near money exchanges and hotels
• on public transport, especially to the airport
• in main railway stations
• inside airport terminals

Criminals have copied credit or debit cards in some bars and restaurants.

Use a hotel safe for valuables where possible and carry a copy of your passport.

Drink spiking听

There is a risk of drink spiking in bars and clubs. Be careful not to take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks鈥痷nattended.

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis,鈥痗arry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Romania have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.听

Increasing numbers of people, including foreign visitors, have been arrested and received lengthy sentences for drug offences at music festivals in Romania.

Using cameras in secure areas

Most airports and military bases have signs banning photography. If you鈥檙e not sure if photography is allowed, ask permission.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Romania. There are active LGBT+ communities and events in Romania, though the majority of LGBT+ people are not open. Find听听and read more听advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Romania, see information on driving abroad and check the听. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of, such as:

• carrying a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangle and a fluorescent jacket
• using winter tyres from 1 November to 1 March

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Romania. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the听correct version of the international driving permit (IDP)听as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, minimum age and holding an听IDP.

Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Romania. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.

There is also guidance on driving if you鈥檙e living in Romania.

Driving conditions

Road conditions are variable and 听roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for:

• double-parked cars
• people suddenly braking听or swerving to avoid potholes
• horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs in rural areas

Accidents and vehicle damage

You must get a report at the scene of an accident in Romania. If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in the country, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage. Doing this will help you avoid problems when you leave Romania.

Toll roads

You must pay a to use the national roads. Buy a vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. If you do not display the sticker, you may get a heavy fine.

罢补虫颈蝉听听听听

Most taxis in Bucharest should list prices on the side of the vehicle and display a company name. Taxi drivers sometimes overcharge foreign visitors. Taxi apps such as Uber and Bolt are generally reliable.

Extreme weather and natural disasters听听听

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.听

You may receive alerts on your mobile phone from the Romanian government in the event of extreme weather, a natural disaster or other emergency. These are in Romanian and English, and you should follow the authorities鈥� instructions.

Earthquakes

Romania is in a seismically active area and tremors happen regularly. The last major earthquake was in 1977. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about 听.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have听appropriate travel insurance听for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check latest
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the听

See .

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Romania. Read more about .

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

搁别补诲听.

Healthcare in Romania

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Romania where some staff will speak English.听

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Romania, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).听听听

The NHS鈥檚 has details about:听听

• how to apply for a GHIC
• how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
• who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
• what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:听听

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings
• additional standard costs for treatment
• medical repatriation to the UK
• treatment that is ruled non-urgent
• private healthcare
• private clinics

There is also guidance on healthcare if you鈥檙e living in Romania.

Travel and mental health

搁别补诲听FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also听.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Romania

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about听changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from听FCDO

FCDO听has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking听,听听补苍诲听听in Romania
• dealing with a听death in Romania
• 产别颈苍驳听arrested in Romania
• getting help if you鈥檙e a听victim of crime
• what to do if you鈥檙e听in hospital
• if you鈥檙e听affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

颁辞苍迟补肠迟颈苍驳听FCDO听

Help abroad鈥�

See听听including in an emergency.听

Help in the UK听听

You can call鈥�FCDO鈥痠n London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.鈥�

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)鈥�

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates鈥�

Sign up to鈥�get email notifications鈥痺hen this travel advice is updated.鈥�

Follow FCDO:鈥�

Risk information for British companies

The鈥疧verseas Business Risk service鈥痮ffers information and advice for British companies operating in Romania on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.