Moving to Romania: A Complete Guide To Streamline Your Relocation

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live in the most bio-geographically diverse country? Then it’s time to move to Romania and explore all the details, including snow-capped mountains, green hills covered in forests, sandy Black Sea beaches, and Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta.

Do you consider moving to Romania an exciting idea? Then, IMovingTo is here to provide you with a comprehensive guide and let you become a Romanian expat without any difficulties!

Brasov, Transylvania. Romania

Brief Overview of Romanian Culture: Things You Should Expect

The phrase “Romanian culture” refers to the nation’s ideals, traditions, and social attitudes as a whole. In most regions of Romania, local cuisine and music combine to create a way of life that is generally defined by religious traditions.

Age and position are honored in Romania’s hierarchical culture. Since they’ve accumulated life experience, older people are considered wise.

Romanians are known for their curiosity, hospitality, and ability to welcome and make newcomers feel as comfortable as possible, so meeting new people is simple.

Due to its long and rich history, there is a lot to discover, such as national parks and historical villages. While exploring Romania, it’s advisable to consider its continental climate, which is characterized by severe winters and hot summers because of its location in Eastern Europe. The average temperature varies from 22°C to 24°C in the summer and is below -3°C in the winter.

Being a Latin-based Romance language, Romanian shares many similarities with languages spoken in Italy, Portugal, France, and Spain. Nearly everyone under the age of 45 speaks some English in large cities. Anyway, do your best to learn some fundamental words and phrases, as knowing them will be valuable during your stay in Romania.

Cost of Living in Romania

Romania continues to have one of the lowest costs of living in Europe. The capability to relocate to Romania from the UK, the USA, or any other country in Western Europe without having to rely on low-paying work locally is a definite advantage. However, even if you move here to work, you might be able to find a position that pays well and offers far more than your ordinary Romanian.

Believe it or not, a single person can usually live a fairly comfortable life on 1,000 euros per month, including rent and all other expenses.

  • One-bedroom apartment in the city center: €345.12
  • One-bedroom apartment outside of the city center: €251.65
  • Basic bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for a small apartment: €116.82
  • Monthly transport pass: €16.30
  • Three-course meal for a couple in a mid-range restaurant: €30.57

Visa Types & Requirements for Expats

There are no restrictions or prerequisites for obtaining a visa for Romania for nationals of EU/EEA countries. A work permit is not necessary for anyone who plans to live and work in Romania. When moving to Romania from Switzerland, Germany, the UK, or any other country in the EU, you will need to register with your local municipality and prove that you have the resources to support yourself.

Unless your country is exempt, citizens of non-EU nations need to apply for a Schengen visa at the closest Romanian embassy to enter the country for up to 90 days. This type of visa comes in a variety of categories, such as those for working, learning, or engaging in economic activity.

The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other nations are exempt. You need to apply for a work and residency permit if you are a citizen of a non-EU country, including the US, and you intend to live and work in Romania.

On the website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you will find out more about the various requirements as well as where to apply for a residency permit after arriving.

How to Get Accommodation in Romania

The only document you need to rent an apartment in Romania as a foreigner is your passport; you do not need any visa or residency documentation.

In comparison to other countries in Europe, renting an apartment in Romania is relatively cheap. You should keep in mind when renting an apartment that many foreigners relocating to Romania prefer to live in modern neighborhoods. Apartments in the city’s center are less expensive, but also older and in need of renovation.

It is recommended to start with apartment search engines and websites when looking for an apartment abroad, and the most well-known website in Romania, Imobiliare, is a great place to start. Furthermore, one of the finest newspapers to consider for a property search is Piata.

If you prefer to take advantage of real estate agencies, you can take into account the most popular ones.

  • publi24.ro
  • storia.ro
  • imobiliare.ro
  • homezz.ro
  • imoradar24.ro

Career Opportunities for Expats in Romania

If you are an expat looking for a job in Romania, there are many different industries you might explore. The nation’s manufacturing of telecommunications technologies is developing quickly, and the aerospace sector is also booming. Machine construction, metals, textiles, and chemicals are important industries.

Your employment options may be limited if you relocate to Romania from an English-speaking country since locals are often preferred by employers that don’t want to cope with the stressful governmental procedures involved in recruiting foreigners. This means that being able to communicate in the language will undoubtedly increase your job prospects in Romania.

Finding your preferred job in Romania is possible through a variety of sources. Despite national newspapers usually only being printed in Romanian, English is also provided as you can take advantage of using publications such as The Diplomat, Bucharest, Nine O’Clock, and Ziarul Financiar. 

You can also accomplish your goal by using several job-searching websites, such as the British Council Romania and the European Job Mobility Portal.

Healthcare System in Romania

The public sector, which controls the majority of hospitals and offers universal health coverage to almost all Romanians, dominates the country’s healthcare system. 

Only those who show up with a health card showing proof of insurance payments are eligible for free, unlimited medical services as determined by a doctor. All EU citizens and Romanians without paid insurance are entitled to free emergency medical assistance. 

Modern Romanian medicine is very advanced, and doctors there are highly respected all over the world. Each year, thousands of foreign students enroll in Romanian medical institutions.

While medical facilities are often well-equipped in larger cities, world-class private healthcare is also accessible. Healthcare in rural and small towns is poor, and patients are frequently required to pay for supplies like gloves and syringes.

Finances, Banking & Managing Taxes in Romania

Most Romanian banks allow foreigners to open certain types of regular bank accounts. These include savings accounts, credit accounts, and basic accounts, among others. The commissions and banking fees, as well as the terms and interest rates, will vary from bank to bank. The most popular types of bank accounts that foreigners can open in Romania are debit and credit cards.

As a foreigner, you require the following documents to open a bank account:

 

  • Passport;
  • fiscal residence;
  • Pay Stubs and an employment contract;
  • a lease agreement or utility bills as proof of residence;
  • earlier bank statements;

Foreign nationals who want to work in Romania should take the local tax structure into account. This states that both Romanian residents and foreign taxpayers are subject to the 10% income tax. 

To qualify as a resident tax, a foreign national should have spent at least 183 days in Romania over a calendar year. Non-residents who earn money in Romania are required to pay taxes there. Income from investments, rental income, salaries, self-employment, or real estate transactions is subject to a 10% tax. Additionally, tax returns are filed at the tax office closest to where the taxpayer resides.

Best Places to Live in Romania

Timișoara

The third-largest city in Romania is Timisoara. It was designated the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2021. Timișoara boasts a vibrant cultural scene and rising social and economic prominence. For this reason, many foreign investors decide to open branches of their companies there. Timișoara is one of the safest cities in Romania and has a good standard of living.

Brasov

Brasov is a convenient location near the capital that is incredibly close to nature. Because of its excellent location and picturesque atmosphere, tourists and expats frequently select it for their relocation. Many people travel there to see the castles of Dracula, Bran, and Peles. As an expat, you can enjoy the winter activities offered at the Poiana Brasov resort. 

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is a distinctive combination of magnificent old buildings, museums, and beautiful landscapes.

Due to its thriving technical development, Cluj-Napoca is frequently referred to as Romania’s Silicon Valley. The city serves as a hub for numerous employment opportunities in the IT sector. In addition to this, Cluj-Napoca offers a vibrant cultural scene and the best entertainment opportunities. 

Oradea

One of the best locations to live in Romania is Oradea, which has an exceptional level of quality. The old city center has undergone excellent renovations, and now it’s characterized by an exceptional standard of living. Oradea is renowned for its baroque and art nouveau buildings, which are the remains of the Austro-Hungarian empire. 

Cheapest Cities in Romania

The least expensive cities in Romania include Pitesti, Braila, and Arad, where you can even live on less than 500 euros a month. While living expenses are generally more affordable here, salaries are also lower.

The majority of expats coming from abroad still prefer to live in larger cities because they have more to do; they will certainly have a lot more alternatives; a larger international community; and they are simpler for a foreigner to adapt to, even though even the more expensive cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara are still very affordable by just about any European standard.

Pros & Cons of Moving to Romania

Wide variety of entertainment

Romania is a nation that has a thriving nightlife and a vibrant culture. However, we shouldn’t forget the lush outside since the Carpathian Mountains are a great place to camp or go hiking.

There are additional parks like Mogosoaia Park and Natural Parc Comana if you wish to stay near your home. Furthermore, you can get to the Black Sea beaches in around 2.5 hours.

Excellent public transportation system

A network of buses, trams, trolleybuses and the metro makes Bucharest easily accessible. There are 4 lines and 53 stations in the metro system. Even when the city’s capital becomes incredibly congested, taking the underground is typically the best alternative for transportation in Bucharest.

Some tickets give you access to the entire transportation system, including the metro. To make managing your trips on public transportation easier, you may also download the Transport Urban app.

Comprehensive work culture

Romania’s business culture permits employees to dress comfortably and casually, and while teamwork is highly appreciated here, Romanian people value dedication, particularly to one’s career.

During the hiring process, it is crucial to show that you are dedicated to doing your duties to the best of your ability and that you are eager to offer insightful suggestions.

Cons

Pollution

Romania’s major cities are typically filthy. Many individuals don’t bother to put their waste in the trash cans, so there are plastic wrappers, coffee cups, and other larger objects lying around. Moreover, Bucharest, one of the most polluted cities in Romania and Europe, has appalling air quality.

Heavy traffic

Due to its dense population and large travel distances, Bucharest experiences significant traffic congestion, which typically causes delays and frustrates everyone.

As a result, driving has become extremely chaotic in this area, with regulations being constantly ignored and a ton of unexpected incidents of risky driving.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, if you desire to explore a wide variety of landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, green hills covered in forests, sandy Black Sea beaches, and Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta, as well as experience a great style of life, Romania is an exceptional country.

So, don’t hesitate to take advantage of international relocation services at IMovingTo, and we will make sure to guide your moving process without any obstacles.

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