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Before you go to Romania: what to know

Must know

  • Schengen short-stay time is shared with other member countries.
  • Carry lei for small purchases outside major urban centres.

Entry and visas

Romania follows Schengen short-stay rules: visa-exempt visitors share a 90-day allowance in any 180 days across the area. EES biometric registration takes place at external borders; it is not an online pre-arrival application. ETIAS is not operating; official diplomatic updates expect 2027, with no fixed launch date.

Passport validity: Non-EU short-stay visitors: issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after planned Schengen departure.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Carry evidence of accommodation, onward travel and funds; allow time for external border checks.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.pl ↗, mzv.gov.cz ↗, consilium.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, commission.europa.eu ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Apple Pay — works in some places · Google Pay — no data

Where not to exchange

  • Street exchange: it is illegal.
  • Cards are widely accepted in major urban centres. Use recognised exchange offices, banks or hotels.
  • Apple lists this country for Apple Pay with participating banks/cards; actual payment also depends on the merchant and card issuer.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.gc.ca ↗, european-union.europa.eu ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Street currency exchange is illegal.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.gc.ca ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim affiliations are among the official census categories; no population shares are asserted.

Clothing: Individual venue dress requirements were not independently confirmed; check before visiting.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: recensamantromania.ro ↗

Climate

Continental climate: cold winters, hot summers and milder spring and autumn. Mountain winters are harsher; plains and coastal areas are warmer.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: cold; harsher in the mountains
  • February: Feb: cold; harsher in the mountains
  • March: Mar: mild; flood risk from rain and snowmelt
  • April: Apr: mild; flood risk from rain and snowmelt
  • May: May: mild; flood risk from rain and snowmelt
  • June: Jun: hot; prepare for storms and heat
  • July: Jul: hot; prepare for storms and heat
  • August: Aug: hot; prepare for storms and heat
  • September: Sep: mild; check current forecast
  • October: Oct: mild; check current forecast
  • November: Nov: mild; check current forecast
  • December: Dec: cold; harsher in the mountains

Best season: Use a regional forecast; summer heat and mountain winter conditions require different preparation.

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗

What to pack

  • Lei for small purchases
  • Rain protection
  • Warm layers for winter

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Street money changers

Practical

Plugs: Types C and F; 230 V, 50 Hz.

Water: Potable tap water is available; follow local supply notices.

Traffic: drives on the right

Emergency: 112

Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: ripe91.ripe.net ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, rac.co.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.