Organize your stay Romania
Money Romania
The Romanian currency is the leu (literally "lion", plural lei ), also known by its code name RON. The leu is divided into 100 bani. In April 2024, one euro was equivalent to 5 lei. After a long period of fluctuation, exchange rates are now fairly stable. However, they can still vary, so check before you leave to find out the exact rate.
ATMs can be found in every town. If you take euros with you, you can change them at the airport (but do as little as possible, as the rates there are not advantageous) or, better still, at a bank counter. In the streets of major cities, you'll find many casa de schimb or schimb valutar counters: nothing forbidden, but it's safer to change at a bank. Your passport will be required for any foreign exchange transactions.
You can pay by credit card in many establishments.
Budget & Tips Romania
Romania is a destination to suit all budgets. The cost of living is fairly low and, whether you use public transport, stay in modest guesthouses, youth hostels or small hotels, you'll find the country is cheap. Food prices, whether in restaurants or stores, are very low. Of course, you can also rent a car and stay in 4 or 5-star hotels. Lodging will be the biggest part of your expenses: count €10 to €15 per night per person for small budgets, €30 to €60 for medium budgets, and more for big wallets.
It's customary to leave a tip in bars and restaurants (around 10% of the bill).
Passport and visas Romania
Romania is a member of the European Union and has just taken its first steps into the Schengen area: for the moment, only its airspace is concerned. So, if you arrive by plane, you no longer need to present an identity document on arrival. Otherwise, for a stay of less than 90 days, an EU or Schengen citizen simply needs to present a valid passport or national identity card. For a stay of more than three months, you need to apply to the local authorities for a registration certificate, unless you wish to leave the country and re-enter in the same breath.
Romanian Embassy in France: 5, rue de l'Exposition, Paris. Contact: +33 1 47 05 27 55.
Driver's license Romania
Your French driving license is valid on Romanian roads, and it's perfectly possible to rent a car. If you come with your own vehicle, you'll need to pay the Rovignette(Rovinieta), which can be purchased at border crossings, post offices and gas stations, or online at www.roviniete.ro. It costs €3.30 for 10 days, €5.30 for a month. If you rent a car, the Rovignette is included.
Health Romania
Before you leave, contact your social security office to obtain a European Health Insurance Card, which makes it easier to receive medical treatment in Europe. The emergency number is 112: depending on the situation, you will be directed to the fire department, police, gendarmerie or medical emergency services. The French Consulate publishes a list of French-speaking doctors and health professionals on its website (there are many throughout the country). There are dispensaries in every village and good hospitals in all major towns, even if sanitary conditions are not perfect. If you need heavy treatment, it's best to be repatriated. If you are undergoing special treatment, be sure to take medicines in advance, as pharmacies in remote villages often stock only the basics.
Tap water is drinkable, but its quality varies. If in doubt, opt for bottled mineral water. If you're careful about what you eat, there's no reason for digestive or intestinal problems. Avoid mici if they are undercooked, and be wary of all raw or undercooked animal foods in general. In short, in Romania as anywhere else, abstain if in doubt.
Mandatory vaccination Romania
No vaccinations are required to enter Romania, but it is advisable to be up-to-date with the usual vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, as well as rubella, mumps and measles). Preventive vaccination against hepatitis A and B may also be recommended, as well as against typhoid fever, meningococcal disease and Central European tick-borne encephalitis. The latter is transmitted by ticks, which are very common in forests in summer. Rabies vaccination may also be advisable in certain cases: the disease is still present in the country, carried by stray dogs in particular.
Security Romania
Romania is not a dangerous country, and ordinary crime is low. In Bucharest, as in all major cities, be careful with your belongings, especially in crowded places such as public transport.
There are hardly any stray dogs left in the capital, but they are still common in the rest of the country. Most of the time, they're not aggressive, but beware. Avoid them as much as possible, and hide your fear when you come into contact with them. Continue on your way without giving the impression of fleeing. In the mountains, you may also come across a bear: keep calm, don't shout, and back away slowly to give it room to run away.
Romania is also subject to a seismic risk, particularly in Bucharest and the county of Vrancea.
Finally, even if the conflict in Ukraine has no direct impact on Romanian territory, it's best to seek the advice of tourism professionals if your stay takes you close to the Ukrainian borders, whether in the north (Maramureș, Bucovina, Moldavia) or in the Danube delta.
Time difference Romania
Romania's time zone is +2 hours ahead of GMT. Compared with French time, you need to set your watch forward one hour: when it's noon in France, it's 1 p.m. in Romania. The country also follows the summer/winter time regime.
Spoken languages Romania
The official language is Romanian, a Latin language with five particular letters in its alphabet: â and î (pronounced the same way, somewhere between A and I), ă (more closed than the standard A), ș (pronounced "ch") and ț ("ts"). The different minorities also speak their own language: Hungarian among the Hungarians and Saxons of Transylvania, German among the Saxon minorities of Transylvania and Banat, Romani among the Roma, ancient Russian among the Lipovens of the delta, Ukrainian, Serbian... Many Romanians, especially among the young, are polyglot. You will have no difficulty in finding English speakers, but also Italian, Spanish and German speakers. As for French, it is still spoken by many people who have followed studies, especially the older ones, and it is quite widespread among those involved in tourism. Many Romanians know a few words of it.
Communication Romania
Since June 2017, calls and SMS from your French cell phone in all European countries, including Romania, are included in your package, as is 3G or 4G Internet data consumption. In Romania, the telephone network is well developed and works very well, except perhaps in the most remote mountain villages. You'll find Wi-Fi just about everywhere (generally quite fast), including in almost all bars, restaurants, hotels and guesthouses.
Electricity and measurements Romania
Weights and measures are the same as in France. The electrical system also follows the same model, with two round plugs and identical voltage (230 volts). No need for adapters!
Luggage Romania
If you're going away in summer, pack light clothes. Don't forget to pack a few warm clothes if you're planning to hike in the Carpathian Mountains or visit underground salt mines, where it's often cool. Don't forget your swimsuit, even if you're not going to the coast: Romania has many lakes that are ideal for swimming. If you're planning to visit the Danube Delta, take mosquito repellent with you. In late spring and early autumn, temperatures can be quite high, but there are significant variations between day and night. In winter, make sure you have warm clothes, as the mercury often drops below zero: a heavy coat, hat, gloves, warm underwear... And whatever the season, take something to protect yourself from the rain.
With the exception of remote areas, you'll find everything you need in local stores. So there's no need to take any special precautions, unless you're on special medical treatment.
