Romania - Travel Advice & Visas

Summary

Around 75,000 British nationals visit Romania every year. Most consular cases involve petty crime, lost or stolen passports and car theft. Beware of young pickpockets in city centres especially in crowded areas e.g. buses, trains and busy streets. Keep valuable belongings in a hotel safe where possible.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake..

Safety and Security

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 areas.

Corruption is widespread. There have been reports of policemen stopping foreign cars and demanding payment of fines in hard currency for spurious offences. Bogus policemen may also approach pedestrians and ask to check their documents as a way of stealing cash. If approached in this way, you should decline to pay any fine or hand over any documents but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station.

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.

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 Safety
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. Note that there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

In winter, equip your car for extreme conditions.

Rail Safety
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).

Entry Requirements
You do not need a visa to enter Romania. From 1 January 2007, British citizens who enter Romania have the right to stay for a period of 3 months from the date of entry. If intending to stay for a longer period than 3 months, British citizens can apply for a registration certificate issued by the Romanian Authority for Aliens. There are no restrictions on British nationals working in Romania. If a British citizen has been a legal resident in Romania for a continuous period of at least 5 years then they can apply for a permanent right of residence certificate from the same authorities. For further information please visit the website of the Romanian representation in the UK.

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. For further information on exactly what will be required please contact: Romanian representation in the UK.

Health
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

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 any medical treatment that becomes necessary on the same terms as Romanian nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.

There have been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania. You are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations before travelling. You should drink only bottled water.

Rabies is endemic in Romania. It has largely been confined to the rural areas. You should be wary of, and try to avoid contact with, the numerous stray dogs. 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.

Stray dogs in Romania are also reported to carry the tick-borne African Typhus disease. Those most at risk are the elderly, the young and the infirm.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk

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