Located in southeastern Europe, Romania, known as the homeland of the infamous Count Dracula, charms its visitors with remarkable natural beauty, rich folklore, and a number of sights that look straight out of a movie set. What people planning a permanent move to Romania can expect and what's important to keep in mind before packing your bags, find out in the following lines.
Official language
The official language of the country is Romanian. The modern Romanian language was formed following the unification of the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia in the 19th century and the introduction of a modified Latin alphabet, containing over 90% elements of Latin. According to studies of modern Romanian, only 30% of the words with Latin elements are proper, the rest having their origins in languages such as French, Italian, and other less known languages.
Today, Romanian is widespread. It is spoken by nearly 24 million people in Romania and neighbouring Moldova, Serbia, and Mount Athos. The Ministry of Education organises intensive paid language courses for children arriving in the country (with a residence permit). The classes are held during the school year—3 times a week for 2 hours, and end with the issuance of a certificate for language proficiency. When it comes to adult expats moving to Romania and learning the language, there are both free online courses and local schools. According to the global EF English Proficiency Index for 2022, Romania is ranked 17th among the world's most English-proficient nations—a prerequisite to feel comfortable after moving even if you're just a beginner at learning Romanian.
Renting a house when moving to Romania
Moving to Romania certainly involves finding a suitable home. Mercer's 2023 index ranking cities around the world by cost of living, ranks Bucharest 142nd (up 16 places from 2022) out of 227 countries. By comparison, prices are similar to those in other European cities such as Ljubljana, Zagreb, and Tirana and significantly lower than those in Belfast, Vilnius and Toulouse.
The differences in the cost of living after moving to Romania depend on the city you choose for your new home. Living in Bucharest is the most expensive but also the most promising in terms of career opportunities. The rent for a one-room apartment in major Romanian cities (Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, and Sibiu) is between 350 and 500 euros (1700-2500 Romanian lei). In smaller cities, a one-room apartment would cost you 250 euros (1240 Romanian lei) per month. Utility bills are usually not included in the rent. Once you move to Romania, you can expect additional costs of:
- €130 (RON 640) on average per month for electricity, water, and rubbish collection
- €15 (RON 75) for internet
- about 300 euros (RON 1480) per month for food (for a family of two)
Job hunting after relocating to Romania
Romania is the country with the highest percentage of workers coming from other EU member states: 18%. Among the most prosperous and hiring in Romania are companies operating in construction, manufacturing, IT, agriculture, and healthcare. Unemployment and inflation in the country are declining, and Romania's economic growth has been among the most remarkable for countries in Europe since 2010. Average gross wages in the country have been rising in the last five years, according to the National Institute of Statistics:
- January 2019: RON 4837
- January 2020: RON 5225
- January 2021: RON 5549
- January 2022: RON 6031
- January 2023: RON 6831
The most common ways to search for a suitable job are through online platforms, and there are also portals specifically designed for looking for work abroad (in case you want to secure a job before moving to Romania). LinkedIn remains the preferred alternative for finding a job, especially when it comes to positions requiring foreign language skills. The presence of multinationals in Romania is strong, nearly 73 000 companies, according to the National Institute of Statistics. The country's fast internet connection makes it an enticing destination for digital nomads working remotely.
The work culture in the country is hierarchical and strictly formal. It is common for the working week to last 40 hours spread over 5 working days. Working hours per week can reach 48 with overtime included. Extra hours worked are paid at a rate of not less than 75% above the normal hourly rate. Employees under the age of 18, pregnant employees, and part-time employees are not eligible to work overtime. Maternity leave lasts 4 months, 42 days of which are compulsory and the remaining 84 days may be taken selectively by the mother before or after childbirth.
Moving to Romania with kids
The school year in Romania runs from September to June. Education is conventionally divided into:
- Primary (1–4 Grade)
- Lower Secondary (5–10 Grade)
- Upper Secondary (11—13 Grade)
- Post Secondary School, continuing 3 years
- Tertiary education, including Bachelorette, Masters and Doctors
All children in Romania must start school at the age of 6. Holders of citizenship in the country are entitled to free public education. Public schools are taught in Romanian. Schools in the capital Bucharest are considered the best. Because of this, many children apply to them, making it difficult to enrol all of them. Another option after moving to Romania is to enrol your child in one of the country's private schools, considered to offer higher quality and comprehensive education programmes. Private schools do not usually follow the national curriculum. Another alternative, particularly popular with expats, are international schools, mainly located in Bucharest. They are considered an excellent opportunity for better integration and for parents who could make contacts with other families just settling in Romania. When enrolling in an international school, you should present certain documents, including application forms, documentation of previous education, references, and birth certificate. Some of the most popular sports in the country that are also suitable for children include the traditional Romanian Oină (similar to baseball), football, handball, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics.
Moving to Romania with pets
When moving to Romania with a pet from an EU member state, it is important to follow the traditional EU rules, namely that the animal should be microchipped (conforming to ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785, or AVID-9 and AVID-10 in addition to ISO), vaccinated against rabies and should have a valid EU pet passport or EU health certificate. If you are moving from Serbia, Ukraine, or Moldova, the rules for entry into Romania are similar to those for people arriving from outside Europe.
The country is relatively friendly to four-legged friends. However, when renting a home, we advise you to coordinate your pet's stay with the property owner beforehand. The importation of the breeds Bandogs, Boerboels, and Pitbulls into Romania is prohibited. Wearing a muzzle for the breeds German Shepherd dog, Doberman Pinscher, Belgian Malinois, Dogo Canario, Komondor, Kuvasz, Riesenschnauzer is compulsory.
Driving in Romania
Driving licences issued in EU countries are recognised in Romania. The same applies to international driving licences. Replacement of your original licence is compulsory:
- after the expiry date of the licence (for those coming from EU Member States)
- if you have a residence permit and have lived in the country for more than 2 years (for non-EU arrivals)
- if the original document is damaged, lost or stolen
When replacing a licence, you usually do not have to take a new test. You will need to provide a medical certificate that certifies your ability to drive. Romanian driving licences are valid for:
- 5 years for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, Tr, Tb, and Tv
- 10 years for: AM, A1, A2, A, B, Bl, and BE
Public transport in the country is convenient and accessible. Work is underway to expand and modernise the road network. Interestingly, one of the country's landmark roads, the Transfagaras Highway (linking Vlachia and Transylvania), is considered a local landmark. This is because, travelling along it, you can enjoy amazing natural landscapes and even... wild bears.
Healthcare when moving to Romania
The public health system in Romania is run by the National Health Insurance House. The country's hospitals are mostly located in urban areas. Citizens of the country (including expats holding citizenship or working in the country) have access to free public health services. If you are self-insured, as of 2022, the monthly contributions guaranteeing the right to health care amount to about RON 150 or nearly EUR 30.
Before moving to Romania, it is also advisable to explore private health insurance options. Usually the level of healthcare services (including equipment) in private hospitals is much better. International health insurance is also recommended for those arriving in the country. Access to pharmacies in Romania is easy, and they are usually located close to hospitals and in the most populated parts of town. If you need urgent medical attention, make sure you dial 112, the official emergency number.
Nature and climate of Romania
The Carpathian Mountains and the many forested areas inhabited by wild animals are among the trademarks of the Romanian nature. Among the most popular coastal locations are the resorts of Mamaia, Eforie Nord, and Costinești. The country's climate is continental and the differences between seasons are considerable. Summers are long and warm, favouring stays in the Black Sea resorts, while winters are cold. The rains are most frequent in January, May, June and August.
Among the most famous outdoor activities in Romania are bicycle tours in Bucharest, tours of the city of Cluj-Napoca, considered the historical capital of the Transylvania region, walks to Bran Castle (known as Count Dracula's Castle) and Peles Castle, Food tour in Bucharest, activities such as climbing, skiing, hiking, and visiting the National Parks "Retezat" and "Piatra Craiului" or the nature reserve around the delta of the river Danube. In fact, one of the most intriguing sights in Romania, the imposing rock sculpture of Decebal, is located precisely along the Danube, near the town of Orsova.
Romania, a country of 19 million people, known for its rich folklore, spectacular scenery, and mythical legends (and creatures), definitely has a lot to offer its inhabitants. Favourable economic conditions, tolerance towards expats and the opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Balkan culture are among the biggest pros should you choose to settle there. If you're planning a future move to Romania, don't tackle the process alone. The experts at Movega Removals, a proven removal company in Europe, are behind you to ensure a smooth and stress-free move. Don't hesitate to direct your questions straight to us using the chatbot feature and contact form available on the website.
