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Moving to Romania transform more and more people’s lives. The appeal for this beautiful, country, its high literacy rate and a very low cost of living is strong for entrepreneurs and people in search of a different lifestyle alike. This guide runs through some of the important information you’ll need to get ready for your removal.
Situated on the west coast of the Black Sea, Romania shares borders with Bulgaria, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia. The Romanian Leu remains the currency as the country has not adopted the Euro.
One of the new tiger economies, there are many opportunities in Romania and this together with the chance to experience a new culture is a big draw for many workers, especially from around the EU.
The climate has marked seasons, experiencing hot summers and freezing winters. This brings in tourists seeking the sun in the summer months and skiers in the western mountains looking to take advantage of the snow.
The official language of Romania is Romanian, a language which is based on Latin and uses a 31 letters alphabet. The language is phonetic: you pronounce it as it is spelt, which makes it easier to learn.
English speakers may well find Romanian much simpler to pick up than they may have expected, especially if they have previously studied other Romance languages such as Portuguese, Spanish, French or Italian.
English is now the second language in Romania.
The literacy rate in Romania is high at approximately 98%, with roughly 80% of people also speaking a second language. A quarter of Romanians speak two foreign languages, plus their own native tongue!
This means that within the large cities and towns, you are likely to be able to easily converse in English especially with the younger generation.
However, with 45% of the population still living in villages or rural areas, there is still a use for learning the language as it will open opportunities and make life much easier in general.
You can access the free healthcare system in Romania is you are an EU citizen holding an EHIC card. However, the standards are generally poor, and corruption is rife, so it’s not recommended.
Bucharest hospitals are reasonably well equipped but in smaller towns, there may be a shortage of vital supplies. You can usually obtain Medication but don’t expect the brands that you know as Romania favours generic drug.
It’s not advisable to rely on the state health system. The standards don’t hold up to scrutiny and anyone arriving from a country which has reasonably good healthcare will find Romania severely lacking.
The good news is that the private sector is much better; so taking out your own cover will provide you with access to a vastly improved service and supplies. Clinics cover more trivial illnesses and injuries while private hospitals deal with serious conditions.
If you regularly purchase over the counter medication, it could be worth checking the availability within Romania. Many medications which you purchase easily in your home country may require a prescription in Romania.
It is possible to drive in Romania, but the experience is likely to be very different than what you may have experienced back home. The quality of the roads can vary widely, and many are not well maintained and have heavy potholes. Horses and carts are not an unusual occurrence; Also, you will have to be vigilant for animals on the road too.
In the winter months, driving is particularly hazardous as it can be icy and very slippery. Local authorities usually do not clear snow away; You, therefore, need to have snow chains and winter tyres fitted to be able to get around.
There are strict driving laws in Romania, although it sometimes feels as if you are the only one obeying them! Nevertheless, don’t risk it as a hefty fine can ensue. Be very careful with the drink and drive regulation: you are not allowed to drive if you have ANY alcohol in your system.
You will find information about driving in Romania in the guides provided by the AA, RAC and European Commission
As an alternative to driving yourself, there is an excellent public transport network which includes buses, trains and trams.
Trains are one of the least expensive ways to travel and the coverage is excellent, reaching most of the country. Bucharest offers a metro system but is the only city to have one. Mainline trains include express options and Regio trains, slow and not recommended for night journeys.
Buses are another popular choice, particularly for inter-city travel. However, although the buses are modern they can become very crowded and as such, aren’t as comfortable as trains. You should always try to purchase your ticket before boarding a bus, via the machines at the station.
Romania is a member of the EU but has not yet joined the Schengen Zone. Therefore, free travel between Romania and other nations without border control is not yet in place.
EU nationals can enter Romania freely without the need to have a visa. Furthermore, they may stay for as long as they want. If they are planning on remaining in the country for longer than 90 days they will need to register their presence officially. EU citizens can work in Romania without applying for a separate permit.
You will find essential links for British Expats in Romania on the UK Govt website
Romania is also part of a waiver agreement; It allows nationals of certain countries such as Canada, the US and Australia to enter the country; they can stay for up to 90 days within six months without applying for a visa.
However, if such a visitor wanted to stay longer or work while in the country, they would need to apply for the appropriate visa or permit. The Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry website will give you more information.
Moving to Romania will involve lots of work as you get ready to adjust to a new way of life. Although part of the EU, Romania has a long list of requirements for your belongings to clear Customs. Packing items which are prohibited could cause delays so using a reputable, experienced European removal firm will be a big help.
Not only do they know the route, but they can also provide advice about how to get ready for your move.
Whether you choose our Load & Go or our EasyMoves solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Romania and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.