Practical Info
Visas and residency
Visas are not required for citizens of other European countries if the duration of the visit is for no more than 90 days. Passports must be valid for the duration of the stay.
From 1 January 2007, British citizens who enter Romania have the right to stay for a period of three months from the date of entry. If intending to stay for a longer period than three months, British citizens can apply for a registration certificate issued by the Romanian Authority for Aliens at www.aps.mai.gov.ro.
British citizens intending to work in Romania will need a Work Permit. There are also new work access regulations for British nationals who are family members of Romanian citizens and for family members of EU and EEA nationals. Further information can be found on the website of the Romanian Office of Workforce and Migration at
www.omfm.ro.
If a British citizen has been a legal resident in Romania for a continuous period of at least five years then they can apply for a permanent right of residence certificate from the Romanian Authority for Aliens, www.aps.mai.gov.ro.
Money
The currency of Romania is RON. Romania has redenominated its currency, moving from ROL to RON (10,000 ROL = 1 RON). The new banknotes and coins are now in circulation. Most shops, restaurants and taxis now only show prices only in RON. Others may still show prices in both RON and ROL. There is a helpful guide on the National Bank website www.bnro.ro .
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, licensed bureaus and hotels. Romania is largely a "cash only" economy. While an increasing number of businesses do accept credit cards, you are advised to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud.
ATM's are widely available in major towns, in banks, post offices, hotels, shopping centres, airports and elsewhere. The exchange rate you'll receive is good with only a small service charge (which depends on your bank back home). Debit/credit cads are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, petrol stations and larger shops, but their use is not yet as widespread as in many other countries, and some businesses still insist on cash payment.
Travellers’ cheques are accepted, but they can be difficult to exchange, so it is advisable to carry cash and debit/credit cards.
Standard banking hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturdays.
New legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU applies in all member states from 15 June 2007. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more, this includes cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
If you intend to buy a property in Romania, it will be a good idea to open a foreign currency account on your first visit to the country. It is quite simple, entailing only production of a passport and a nominal sum.
Communications
The direct dialling country code for Romania is +40, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). There are numerous area codes applying to cities, towns and villages, for example (0)21 for Bucharest. The country is well covered with two GSM 900 mobile phone networks. Internet access is freely available in the cities and larger towns, and various providers offer services for business and residential customers.
Other information
Local time: GMT +2
Electricity: Electrical current is 220V, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are standard.
Tipping: A service charge is included in restaurant bills but a further 5 to 10% tip is expected. Taxi drivers expect good service to be rewarded.
Safety: Visitors should take normal precautions to keep their valuables safe and should be aware of pickpockets in major cities. Valuables, including passports, should not be left in hotel rooms.
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