Romania travel advice

Travel Summary

• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Most visits to Romania are trouble-free. 17 British nationals required consular assistance in Romania in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (7 cases); hospitalisations (5 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (2 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (34 cases). If you need to contact the emergency services in Romania call 112.
  
  
• There are reports of Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in Romania. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase is currently at Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You are advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. You should also be alert to the risk of petty theft in large towns, especially in Bucharest, and for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops, hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), main railway stations and inside airport terminals. Organised attacks by groups, often including children, occur. The most common method is of distraction whilst several people, often the children, attempt to snatch watches and jewellery from pockets or from around the neck and wrist. We have also heard reports of a scam involving thieves who present themselves as plain-clothes policemen. They flash a badge and often ask to see passports and wallets. Thye count the money and give the documents back, but when they return the wallet, some of the money is missing.

We are aware of thefts of valuables including passports from hotel rooms. Items of value, including passports and credit cards should be deposited in hotel safes. However, you should carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID.

You should be aware that there are reports of credit or charge cards being 'copied' when used in some bars and restaurants, resulting in illegal charges being raised against the user account.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Romania Country Profile

Local Travel

Bucharest has cheap and plentiful public transport provided by underground, bus, and tram. Yellow taxis are also abundant but make sure prices are listed on the side of the vehicle and that the taxi bears a company name. There are frequent reports of foreign visitors being overcharged by taxi drivers. Other cities have fairly good bus services. Cities and towns are linked by extensive rail services. If travelling on a domestic air flight, you should have your passport ready for inspection at all times.

If you are driving to Romania, please note that on entry you are required to pay a road toll to allow you to use the national roads. Tolls are charged on motorways and main roads out of town, payable in Euros. Upon payment, ensure you receive and display the windscreen stickers confirming you have paid the toll. Please note that failure to pay the road toll or to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine.

The cost for cars is three Euros for a one-week vignette or six Euros for one month, but prices may change. Costs are higher for freight vehicles and coaches for eight or more passengers. Tickets can be purchased at border points on entering the country or at post offices and at most petrol stations throughout Romania.

Road Travel

If driving, you need to be alert for horse-drawn carts and livestock especially at night. The police carry out frequent checks, and it is essential that you observe the speed limit, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and have with you all your car documents including evidence of insurance valid in Romania. It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol (alcohol level over 0.1%). Given the very low limit, you are advised not to drink any alcohol if you are driving.

In winter, equip your car for extreme conditions.

In 2007 there were 2,791 road deaths in Romania (source: DfT). This equates to 12.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Rail Travel

If travelling by train, you should check with operators on the availability of sleeping compartments and whether bicycles can be taken on board. This may vary between regions, and there may be additional charges. Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that documents and other valuables are safe.

Local laws and customs

It is illegal to change money on the streets. Money should be changed in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related or sex offences very seriously (the age of consent is 18). Custodial sentences can be expected for any foreigners convicted of such offences.

Homosexuality is no longer illegal, but attitudes to the subject tend not to be broadminded and the gay community keeps a low profile.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. It is always advisable to ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg. official buildings, police cars).

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

You do not need a visa to enter Romania. British citizens who enter Romania have the right to stay for a period of three months from the date of entry. If you intend to stay for a longer period than three months, you can apply for a registration certificate issued by the Romanian Authority for Immigrants as either self-employed, an employee, self-supported, or as a student. Non-EU family members, both partners and dependants, can also apply.

Working in Romania

British Citizens intending to work in Romania should register with the Romanian Office for Immigrants and will need to provide an employment contract or a certificate issued by their employer. No separate work permit is required. You can also register as self-employed in which case you would need to provide an appropriate licence. Further information on working in Romania can be found at http://www.aps.mai.gov.ro or by contacting the Romanian Office for Immigrants (Oficiul Roman pentru Imigrari) at Str. Eforie nr 3-5, corp A, et 6, sector 5, Bucharest; email: ori@mira.gov.ro. There are also new work access regulations for British nationals who are family members of Romanian citizens and for family members of EU and EEA nationals. Information is also available from the Romanian Immigration Office.

Right of residence certificate

If a British citizen has been a legal resident in Romania for a continuous period of at least five years then they can apply for a permanent right of residence certificate from the Romanian Authority for Aliens.

Travelling with children

All children entering Romania should have their own passport. Children included in parents’ passports will only be allowed entry if the passport also contains their photograph. You should check with the Romanian Embassy in London to ensure that you are travelling with correct documentation.

Health

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Romanian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.

Rabies is common to Romania. Whilst it has largely been confined to the rural areas, you should be wary of, and try to avoid contact with, the numerous stray dogs whether in the country or the cities. If bitten, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If visiting rural areas of Romania, you should consider having a course of rabies inoculations. There have also been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 14,000 adults aged 15 or over in Romania were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Romania and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the Danube Delta, Transylvania and Bucharest. The Romanian authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreaks including restricting access to affected areas. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu)

There are reports of Swine Flu in Romania. You can check for updates on the situation through the website of the Ministry of Health of Romania at http://www.ms.ro (in Romanian only). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase is currently at Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Travellers to Romania from the UK will be asked to fill in a health questionnaire on arrival. Those who refuse to fill in the form risk a 500 RON fine (c £100). If a traveller is confirmed with swine flu, the authorities will seek to inform the other passengers about the possibility of having been infected. If travelling on a flight from New York, passengers will be screened by medical personnel on arrival. Passengers from Canada, Mexico and other US destinations may be asked to join a separate queue at the airport and will also have to complete the questionnaire.

You may be required to undergo tests if you show flu-like symptoms. Infected people are currently being treated in hospital with anti-virals. There is no quarantine per se, but infected patients can expect to be isolated.

Natural disasters

Earthquakes are not uncommon in southern and southwestern Romania and small tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. The last earthquake, registered at 5.3, occurred on 25 April 2009, but there were no casualties or significant damage.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Emergency services

The telephone number for all of Romania's emergency services is 112. They have English speaking operators.

Customs Regulations

Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.

The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Romania), without paying UK duty.

The limits are:

Estonia - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco.

Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - 200 cigarettes.

Anyone who is carrying more than the limits should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.

Money

New legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU will apply in all Member States from 15 June 2007. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.

We recommend that you carry Euros in Romania. Dollars and Sterling are not always easy to exchange for the local currency especially outside of Bucharest. You may also have difficulties using travellers’ cheques and credit cards. Romania is largely a "cash only" economy. While an increasing number of businesses do accept credit cards, you are advised to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There are an increasing number of ATM machines throughout the major cities.

Romania has redenominated its currency, moving from ROL to RON. 10,000 ROL = 1 RON. The new banknotes and coins are now in circulation. Most shops, restaurants and taxis now only show prices only in RON. Others may still show prices in both RON and ROL, though this is becoming less common. This can be confusing for foreign visitors. There is a helpful guide on the National Bank website.