Travel Details

 Visa Requirements

Citizens of English-speaking countries do not require visas for stays less than 90 days. 

America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand the UK and Ireland travelling to Romania for a short stay purpose (tourism, visit, business, transit, etc.) do not need an entry visa and they may stay up to 90 days within a six-month period. Those 90 days may be spread across one or more visits.

All of the English-speaking countries have representation in Bucharest, either through Consulate branches or through proper Embassies. 

Visas for Romania are NOT issued at the border, and heavy fines have been introduced for foreigners who do not have the correct visa or whose visa has expired. In addition to fines, an exclusion order may be imposed preventing you from returning to Romania for a specific period of time.  The validity term of the travel document must exceed the journey period by at least 6 months.

 Customs

Romania applies the international regulations of Convention for the Customs Facilities for Tourist Traffic. Highly valuable goodwill and foreign currency (over the value of $ 1,000 per person) must be declared when entering the country.

Endorsed customs declarations must be kept as they are required when leaving the country. It is forbidden to import, unless with a special license, Romanian currency (lei), ammunition, explosives, narcotics, or pornographic material. It is forbidden to export items of cultural, historic or artistic value. Car drivers must be in possession of relevant car documents including green card and personal driving license. Anti-rabbies vaccination certificates are required for cats and dogs. See full listing on the Romanian Customs website

 Travelling with Children

All children entering Romania must have their own passport

At the discretion of the immigration officer, some children included in parents’ passports will be allowed if the passport also contains their photograph.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required please contact your local Romanian Embassy (listed for each country below).

See our section on Travel Safety in Romania for medical and personal safety issues

 Dual Citizenship

Travellers with dual nationality or who are eligible for Romanian citizenship may be subject to Romanian laws and other obligations.

Holding dual nationality may limit the ability of officials in your English-speaking home country to provide consular services. You should check their status at a Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country prior to travelling to Romania.   This is rarely an issue, but one which has big consequences in case war is declared or a legal action is taken against you for some reason in Romania.

DIAL 112 in any emergency in Romania

Image:  Govt of  Romania

 Your Rights in Romania

You are subject to all local laws in Romania, and a serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. Your sentence will be served in local prisons.

However, Romania is a signatory to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which enables a English-speaking offenders imprisoned in Romania to request to be transferred to their home country to complete the sentence in a prison there. The transfer requires the agreement of authorities in both countries.

If you are arrested or detained in Romania, you have the clear right to contact the responsible government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) as listed below.  If you are arrested, all Romanian officials have a responsibility to assist you in contacting your local government office. Your country's consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
 

If you know something about , let us know here!  We'll review and include your helpful info in our next update of this page!

united States

America's diplomatic presence in Romania dates back to 1880 when Eugene Schuyler sent back his first reports to Washington from his office at Casa Capsă.

Taking office just after Romania's the final defeat of the Ottomans in the Russo-Turkish war, Schuyler was in a Romania which had just gained ports on Black Sea coast, and it's increasing importance in the Balkan region did not go unnoticed in D.C.

 Embassy of the United States of America

The U.S. Embassy Website 

Ambassador His Excellency Mr Nicholas F. Taubman

Charge d'affaires (left): Mr. Mark Taplin

Chancery

Str. Tudor Arghezi nr. 7-9

+40 (21) 200-3300  Fax: +40 (21) 200-3442

Consular section

Str. N. Filipescu nr.26

+40 (21) 200-3300   Fax: +40 (21) 200-3505 or  +40 (21) 200-3381

Hours: Mon - Fri 8.00-17.00

Consular services for U.S. citizens are performed at the Consular Section located at this Strada Filipescu office, which is one block from the U.S. Embassy at the corner of Strada Batistei.

Cultural centre

Str. Dumbrava Rosie, nr. 10

+40 (21) 200-3650   Fax: +40 (21) 200-3723

 The Chamber of Commerce

The American Chamber Website

Roberto Musneci, President

Anca Harasim, Executive Director  E-Mail Ms. Harasim Now

Union International Center

11 Ion Campineanu St., District 1,

78664 Bucharest, Romania

+40 (21) 312-4834 or 315 8694   Fax: +40 (21) 312-4851

Please note that the office at Universitatii
 in Cluj closed in early 2007

 An American in Paris (of the East)

The bulk of American population in Romania outside of the military realm are split between academic and government circles centred around life at the embassies and universities.

Romania gets a lot of it's "western" contracting expertise from Austria, Italy, Germany and other European countries, hence, with the exception of a few roads contracts, process management contracts for power plants in Bucharest and Cluj and a bit of oil industry business, American presence in Romania is fairly limited.   With total investment in Romania running at only 10% of that in neighbouring Hungary, indeed there is room for growth. 

Militarily however, 2008 has seen the rotation of full battalions through Romania after a three year building boom at the air bases, training grounds and firing ranges throughout the Dobrogea Region and elsewhere in Romania.  A recent excercise in early July 2008 at Mihail Kogălniceanu air base helped coordinate the two forces.  Read more about the Military in Romania here.

 Notes for American Travellers

You do not need a visa to enter Romania.  As an American passport holder you can remain in the country for up to 90 days.

Americans living or travelling in Romania are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Romania, and to make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

And please do not ask for ice in your drinks, a cheeseburger, or Zinfandel.  These are all considered rude in Romania (we're joking, a little).  

One of our Australian travel writers (we have two) observed an American family from New York in the club lounge at Bucharest's Otopeni airport.  After four weeks in Romania, all the kids could do was complain that the Romanians don't know how to make a proper cheeseburger. 

So please, learn to love the Cappy Visine sour cherry juice, Santal Blood Orange juice, the barbecued spiced "mici" or Pork Neck steak, or a glass of Premiat with or without cola!  See more in our Romanian Food and Dining section.

The House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress is putting together legislation which will modify conditions placed on Romanian travellers to America.

But for a country to qualify, it's necessary amongst others, that the percentage of refused applications for citizenship be less than ten percent.

These visa conditions now exclude most central and eastern European nations, which have around 25% of applicants routinely refused entry to America.

Instead, citizens of the Czech Republic and Estonia would be exempt from visas. Poland has already expressed it's disappointment in the face of the impending legislation.

If you know of or are a Romanian citizen interested in applying for a temporary visa to enter the United States, check out the well-written U.S. Embassy Non-Immigrant visa page in Romanian, or in English.

united kingdom

Embassy of the United Kingdom in Romania

The UK Embassy Website or Email the UK Embassy Now

Chancery

Str.Jules Michelet 24, Bucharest

+40 (21) 201-7200   Fax:  +40 (21) 201 7299

Consular section

+40 (21) 201-7300   Fax: +40 (21) 201 7317

Working hours: Mon - Thurs 8.30-13.00; 14.00-17.00, Fri 8.30-13.30

Management:  +40 (21) 201 7315 (Fax)

Trade Development:  +40 (21) 201 7311 (Fax) 

Honorary Consulate in Constanta

 8700 Constanta, B-dul Tomis nr. 143A

+40 (241) 63.82.82; 63.82.83; 63.82.84  Fax: +40 241 63.82.85

Honorary Consul, Mr. Christopher John Sherfield

 

UK and Romania Sizes

The area of the UK and Romania are both about 240,000km˛, although the UK is 3 times more crowded than Romania.   Romania's population is just twice that of London, and a third of the UK's 60 million. Bucharest's metropolitan region is roughly the same size as the Greater Manchester area, although the club lounge at the airport is nowhere near as large.  Romanians do, at least, offer a tochitura type of stew which is as every bit as delicious as a Lancashire hotpot!

 Notes for UK Travellers

You do not need a visa to enter Romania. As a British passport holder you can remain in the country for up to 90 days.

However, if you intend to take up temporary residence in Romania (such as for a work contract, business, teaching, press activities, church or humanitarian aid projects etc) you should go to your nearest Romanian Passport Office within 15 days of your arrival in the country.

 The Passport Office will register your status and issue a residency permit, valid for a maximum of one year. This can be extended at the end of this period. Spouses and children of those applying to regularise their status in Romania must also apply at the Passport Office in person. If you intend to stay for an extended period you should register with the British Embassy.

IRELAND

Embassy of Ireland in Bucharest

Ambassador, His Excellency Padraic Cradock

EMail the Embassy Here 

50 - 52 Buzesti St, Floor 3 Sector 1, Bucharest 011015

+40 (21) 310-2131 -2141, Fax:  +40 (21) 311-2285

First Secretary David Noonan

Third Secretary Ruth Parkin

Embassy of Romania in Dublin

EMail the Embassy Here

26 Waterloo Road, Dublin 4, Ireland

+353 (1) 668-1275, Fax: +353 (1) 668-1761

Canada

Embassy of Canada in Romania

E-Mail the Canadian Embassy Here or Here

The Canadian Embassy Website or Here

Click Here for Consular Assistance

Ambassador H.E. Dl. Franco D. Pillarella

Photo:  Govt of Canada

Chancery

Str. N. Iorga nr.36, Sector 1, Bucharest 010436

P.O. Box 117, Post Office No. 22, Bucharest, Romania

+40 (21) 307 50 00   Fax: +40 (21) 307.50.15

(Commercial) 307.50.10   (Admin/Consular) 307.50.16

Hours: Mon - Thurs 9.00-17.00; Fri 8.30-14.00   After Hours:  Call the Canadian Embassy in Bucharest and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct. 

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Romania is 01-800-5000, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

The Romanian Consulate in Toronto

See the Consulate's Website Here

 The Embassy of Romania in Ottowa

Embassy of Romania

Websites:  Embassy of Romania (English),  Ambassade de Roumanie au Canada (French)

EMail the Romanian Embassy Now 

Her Excellency Elena SAVA ŞTEFOI,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

655 Rideau Street , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6A3

Telephone  +1 (613) 789-3709, -5345, -4037, -4038

Fax +1 (613) 789-4365

Mr. Dragoş Viorel Radu ŢIGĂU , Counsellor,

Deputy Head of Mission

Mr. Aurelian CREŢU, Minister-Counsellor (Consular Affairs)

Colonel Dr. Ing. Valentin INCEU,

Defence, Military, Naval & Air Attaché

Mrs. Ileana POPA, Counsellor (Economic Affairs)

Mr. Dănuţ Cristian MATEI, Counsellor (Press & Culture)

Mr. Sorin George ZAHARIA, First Secretary (Political Affairs)

Mr. Teodor LUPAŞCU, First Secretary (Political Affairs)

Mr. Mugurel Ioan STĂNESCU, First Secretary (Political Affairs)

 Visas and Passports

Visas for Canadian citizens are not needed if staying less than 3 months, but are required for Canadian travellers staying in the country for more than three months.  Student Visas are required for a stay of any length. 

Visas can be obtained from any Romanian embassy or consulate abroad prior to travel.  Extensions of stays beyond 90 days can also be obtained from the local passport office. Business and student visas must be obtained prior to arrival.

See the Romanian consulate in Toronto website for more Visa information

 Notes for Canadians

Foreign Affairs Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months.

Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

Health and Safety

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs.   Also, if you or someone in your group are arrested and detained in Romania, Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Business

Contact the Canadian Business Association in Romania for information on business conditions and Canadian contacts and companies operating in Romania.

Australia

Tell your mates:  www.restromania.com.au !

Australia's Ambassador to Romania, His Excellency Mr. John Graham Weldon Olivier, is not actually in Romania, but in neighbouring Serbia.

With about 16,000 Romanian-born citizens living in Australia (according to 2006 figures, although possibly as much as 30,000 unofficially), the main Embassy for the Balkan states is actually located in Belgrade (there are significantly higher populations of Croatia and Serbia born citizens resident in Australia).

Australian Consul General Mr. Peter James Forby is posted in Bucharest at the Australian Chancery in the embassy row between Victoria Palace and downtown.   The office handles mostly trade and visa interviews.  

Australia and Romanian have good relations and a solid treaty foundation, with bilateral agreements on the mutual promotion and protection of investment, on trade and economic cooperation, and for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to income taxes.

Consulate General of Australia in Bucharest

Mr Don Cairns, Consul-General to Romania

Chancery:

Blvd. Unirii nr. 74, bl. J, sc. D, et. 5, Bucuresti 75103

+40 (21) 320-98.02 or +40 (21) 320-.98.26   Fax: +40 (21) 320-.98.23

Working hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30-12:30

Consular:

10 World Trade Center, Piaţa Montreal, Intrare F, Et. 1, Sector 1 Bucureşti 011469

+40 (21) 316-7558   Fax: +40 (21) 316-7562

Working hours: Monday-Thursday 9.00-13.00; 13.30-17.30, Friday 9.00-14.00

 Australian Embassy to Romania (in Belgrade)