Romania

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is obtained before travelling to Romania. Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Irish nationals do not require a visa for visits to Romania. However, if you intend to stay for longer than 90 days you should register with the Romanian Authority for Aliens http:aps.mai.gov.ro. Irish citizens require a work permit to take up employment in Romania. For additional information please contact the nearest Romanian Embassy or Consulate.

All children entering Romania require their own passport or must have a photograph included in their parent’s passport.

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Along with other European countries there is potential for Romania to experience international terrorism.

CRIME

Serious crime, although increasing, is generally rare in Romania and most crimes reported by visitors are non-violent. However, there have been several recent incidents in which victims suffered serious harm. You are advised to take extra care at night; to leave all valuables, including passports, secured in a hotel safe; and not to carry significant amounts of cash. Visitors should carry a copy of their passport as identification at all times.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded areas, particularly on buses, trams, trains and near exchange shops. Confidence scams are occasionally employed by thieves who have been known to approach visitors claiming to be the police and request their passport and wallet. This has resulted in large amounts of cash and credits cards being stolen. If approached, do not hand over any documents or cash, but offer to go the nearest police station.

There have been some reports of credit and debit card details being ‘copied’ or ‘stolen’ and illegal charges being made to accounts. Whilst ATMs are generally safe the same precautions should be employed as when using ATMs in Ireland.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Bucharest and other towns and cities are serviced by buses, trams and yellow taxis. Taxi prices are not regulated but are usually cheap and should be displayed on the taxi door. However, many visitors report overcharging and it is recommended to telephone a taxi firm rather than hail one in the street. It is common for taxis not to have seatbelts.

The country is serviced with a network of trains and a network of private mini-buses operate services between cities. These mini-buses are cheap but can be crowded and drive at excessive speed.

ROAD SAFETY

If you enter Romania by road, you must ensure that you have relevant insurance cover and that you pay the Romanian road tax at the border crossing. You should make sure that your vehicle is in good condition, and if driving in winter, that you are prepared for extreme weather conditions.

You should note that roads are often of poor standard, badly lit and with barely visible markings. Across the country driving regulations are not always heeded and caution should be exercised at all times. Attention should be paid, particularly at night and in rural areas, to pedestrians, cyclists, horse drawn carts and cars with poor or broken lights. Once a pedestrian has stepped onto a zebra crossing, traffic is required to stop. Particular care should be taken at night and in small towns as these crossings can be badly marked and can cross main roads.

The traffic police can retain driving licences on the spot for up to three months for infringements of traffic regulations. There is a zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

HEALTH

You are advised to seek medical advice on inoculations before travelling to Romania. You should only drink bottled or filtered water.

There are large numbers of stray dogs across the country and in Bucharest. Contact should be avoided. If bitten, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.

Whilst medical care in Romania is generally of a high standard, facilities are not, and taking out comprehensive travel insurance prior to travel is strongly recommended. The European Health Insurance Card will allow you access health services as available to Romanian public patients.

Avian Influenza 

There have been confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in several areas of Romania including the Danube Delta, Transylvania and Bucharest. It is recommended that you avoid places where you may come into contact with domestic or wild birds and particularly avoid live poultry markets and farms. Any quarantine imposed by the Romanian authorities respected.

For further advice and information, please visit the Avian Influenza section of this website.

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS IN ROMANIA

If you are intending to stay in Romania for an extended period of time you are encouraged to register with the Irish Embassy in Bucharest.  Contact details for all Irish Missions (including Honorary Consuls) in Romania are available here.  (Opens in new window)