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Romania
Country Specific Information
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July 18, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. Rapid economic growth in recent years has improved tourist
and transportation infrastructure in many areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Romania for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizen visitors are granted 90 days of stay without a visa within a given six-month period. An exit visa must be obtained in cases of overstay. For stays longer than 90 days, an extension of stay may be obtained in Romania from the Romanian Immigration Office in the area of residence (http://aps.mai.gov.ro) The Romanian Government is enforcing visa regulations more vigorously and a record of visa overstay can result in payment of large fines and the denial of entry without visa for a specified time. Visitors can obtain information regarding entry requirements from the Romanian Embassy at 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone number (202) 232-4747, or the Romanian Consulates in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York City; web site: http://www.roembus.org.
U.S. visa information for Romanians and other foreign citizens can be found on the web site of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest at http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/visas/ or the Department’s travel web site.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The assessed threat to visitors as the result of political violence is medium. The Romanian Government does give permission to groups who wish to assemble for demonstration purposes. Demonstrations are normally well-contained and the police are close at hand and efficient. Nevertheless, for general safety purposes, it is wise to stay away from these gatherings and be alert to the fact that the normal traffic patterns can be disrupted during and just after the event.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves overseas, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: While most crimes in Romania are non-violent and non-confrontational, crimes do occur in which victims suffer personal harm.
Crimes against tourists, including robbery, mugging, pickpocketing and confidence schemes, remain a problem in Romania. Organized
groups of thieves and pickpockets, sometimes including minors, operate in train stations and on trains, subways, and buses
in major cities. A number of thefts and assaults have occurred on overnight trains, including thefts from passengers in closed
compartments. The Embassy recommends using the highest class available for train travel.
Money exchange schemes targeting travelers are common in Romania. Some of these ploys have become rather sophisticated, involving
individuals posing as plainclothes policemen, who approach the potential victim, flash a badge, and ask for the victim's passport
and wallet. In many of these cases, the thieves succeed in obtaining passports, credit cards, and other personal documents.
Credit card and Internet fraud remain among the most common crimes affecting foreigners in Romania -- see section on “Special
Circumstances” below.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Romania is 112.
See our information for Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care in Romania is generally not up to Western standards, and basic medical supplies are limited, especially outside major cities. Some medical providers that are up to Western quality standards are available in Bucharest and other cities, but can be difficult to identify and locate. Travelers seeking medical treatment should therefore choose their provider carefully. A list of hospitals and physicians is available on the web site of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest at http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/. Information regarding health threats or other medical issues affecting visitors to Romania can also be found at this site. The emergency telephone number for ambulance and other emergency services is 112. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Romania.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
Americans who wish to extend their stay in Romania must present proof of health insurance that applies overseas for the duration
of their intended stay in Romania. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs,
is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Romania is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Road conditions vary widely throughout Romania. While major streets in larger cities and major inter-city roads are in fair to good condition, many other roads are in poor repair, badly lit, narrow, or lack marked lanes. Pedestrians, animals, people on bicycles, and horse-drawn carts that are extremely difficult to see, especially at night, also use many roads, particularly in rural areas. Roads, especially in the mountains, can be particularly dangerous when wet or covered with snow or ice.
Romanian traffic laws are very strict. The traffic police can confiscate any form of driver's license or permit for 1-3 months and payment of fines may be requested at the time of the infractions. Some examples when this might occur are failure to yield the right of way, failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, and failure to stop at a red light or stop sign. Romanian traffic law provides for retention of licenses and possible imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol or for causing an accident resulting in injury or death. There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and police are required to give breathalyzer tests at the scene of an accident to all drivers. Refusal to take a breathalyzer test will result in criminal penalties regardless of whether or not alcohol was involved; in spite of these strict rules, however, many drivers in Romania drive aggressively and often do not follow traffic laws or yield the right of way. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that defensive driving be practiced while driving in Romania.
U.S. driver's licenses are only valid in Romania for up to 90 days. Before the 90-day period has expired, U.S. citizens must either obtain an international driving permit in addition to their U.S. driver's license or a Romanian driver's license. Wearing a seat belt is mandatory. Children under 12 years of age may not be transported in the front seat. Drivers must yield to pedestrians at all marked pedestrian crosswalks, but many of these are poorly maintained, difficult to see, and sometimes located in unexpected places for foreign drivers.
Unless otherwise marked with road signs, speed limits are as follows:
- 130 km/hr for cars and motorcycles
- 110 km/hr for vans
- 100 km/hour for cars and motorcycles
- 90 km/hour for vans.
- 90 km/hr for cars and motorcycles
- 80 km/hr for vans.
Inter-city travel is generally done via trains and buses, which vary in terms of quality, safety, cost, and reliability. Pickpockets pose a danger on night trains and in train stations. Inter-city travel by taxi is much more expensive and safety depends on the quality of the driver. Many older taxis are not equipped with seat belts. To avoid being overcharged, passengers should request the taxi by phone and make sure the taxi has an operational meter, or agree upon a price before entering the taxi.
The host country authority responsible for road safety is the Traffic Police of the Romanian Ministry of Interior. Emergency roadside help and information may be reached by dialing 9271 for vehicle assistance and towing services. For ambulance services, fire brigade, or police, dial 112.
Please refer to our Road Safety page and the Bucharest Metropolitan Police Department website, http://b.politiaromana.ro, for more information. Visit the web site of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.romaniatourism.com/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Romania’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Romania’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Romania is largely a "cash only" economy. While an increasing number of businesses do accept credit cards, travelers are advised to use cash for goods and services rendered due to the prevalence of credit card fraud. Vendors have been known to misuse credit card information by making illegal purchases on individual’s accounts. To make a credit card purchase, a PIN is usually required. There are an increasing number of ATMs located throughout major cities, and increasingly sophisticated identity theft rings are targeting them. Travelers should try to use ATMs located inside banks and check for any evidence of tampering with the machine before use. Travelers' checks are of limited use but may be used to purchase local currency at some exchange houses.
Americans should exercise caution when traveling to Romania to meet individuals known only through contact over the Internet. A significant number of confidence scams have been uncovered involving Romanians who contact their prospective American victims through chat rooms or personal advertisements. They generally identify themselves as young Romanian women and develop a “relationship” with their victim over time. Variations of this scam have emerged, but money extortion remains the ultimate goal. Americans who suspect they may have fallen victim to this kind of scam should contact American Citizens Services at the U.S. Embassy.
While the population of stray dogs in and around Bucharest has decreased in recent years, groups of dogs are still found in some areas and attacks on pedestrians and joggers are not uncommon. While there have not been any reported problems with rabies, travelers are advised to avoid all stray dogs.
Romania's customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Romania
of items such as firearms, antiquities, and medications. Romanian law allows travelers to bring cash into or out of Romania;
however, sums larger than 10,000 Euros or the equivalent must be declared. Travelers are advised to contact the Embassy of
Romania in Washington or one of Romania's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information.
Romania is an earthquake-prone country. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available on the U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) web site at http://www.fema.gov/.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Romania’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Romania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
Under Romanian law, engaging in sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15 or a minor between the ages of 15 and 18 where the adult has abused the minor’s trust or had influence/authority over the minor is a crime punishable with a 3-10 year prison sentence. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with someone who has a physical or psychological disability is punishable with a 3-12 year prison sentence. Distribution of obscene materials depicting minors is a crime punishable with a 1-5 year prison sentence. Prostitution is illegal in Romania, regardless of the age of the participants.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information, see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction. In 2005, Romania banned intercountry adoptions except by grandparents.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Romania are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Romania. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, telephone (40) 21-200-3300. In life or death emergencies, an after hours duty officer may be reached by calling (40) 21-200-3433. Consular services for U.S. citizens are performed at the Consular Section located at Strada Filipescu no. 26 (formerly Strada Snagov), one block from the U.S. Embassy at the corner of Strada Batistei. The Consular Section can be reached through the Embassy operator at (40) 21-200-3300, and faxes can be sent to (40) 21 200-3381 or 200-3578.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 26, 2007 to update the section on Safety and Security, Crime,
Medical Facilities and Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Special Circumstances, and Criminal Penalties.
