Briefing de orientación: Rumanía

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Panorama

Nivel de alertaSin restricción general de viajeConsejos oficiales actualizados el 18 de septiembre de 2026 (FCDO)

2ofertas abiertas

1organizaciones que contratan

0hechos violentos en 3 meses

Región: Europa

Para preparar una misión o un nuevo puesto: lo esencial del contexto, región por región. Este briefing no sustituye el briefing de seguridad de su organización a la llegada.

El país en su región

Briefing de orientación: Rumanía2 / 15

Situación sociopolítica y económica

Historia y contexto

Los principados de Valaquia y Moldavia, durante siglos bajo el control del Imperio otomano turco, obtuvieron su autonomía mediante el Tratado de París de 1856. De facto se unieron en 1859 y se unificaron formalmente en 1862 bajo el nuevo nombre de Rumanía. El país se unió a las Potencias Aliadas en la Primera Guerra Mundial y posteriormente adquirió nuevos territorios, en especial Transilvania, que más que duplicaron su tamaño. En 1940, Rumanía se alió con las Potencias del Eje y participó en la invasión alemana de la URSS en 1941. Tres años después, invadida por los soviéticos, Rumanía firmó un armisticio. La ocupación soviética de posguerra condujo a la formación de una "república popular" comunista en 1947 y a la abdicación del rey. El régimen de décadas del dictador Nicolae CEAUSESCU, que llegó al poder en 1965, y su Estado policial de la Securitate se volvieron cada vez más opresivos y draconianos durante la década de 1980. CEAUSESCU fue derrocado y ejecutado a finales de 1989. Los antiguos comunistas dominaron el gobierno hasta 1996, cuando fueron desalojados del poder. Rumanía ingresó en la OTAN en 2004, en la Unión Europea en 2007 y en el Espacio Schengen para viajes aéreos y marítimos en 2024.

Régimen político

república semipresidencial

Situación política

Traducción en curso: texto oficial en inglés.

There is widespread military activity in neighbouring Ukraine. See Ukraine travel advice.

There have been cases of drones crossing into Romanian airspace and territorial waters, and occasionally, drones carrying explosives have landed or washed ashore in Romania. If you encounter drone activity follow guidance from local authorities, including the RO-Alert mobile phone alert system, and do not approach any military debris.

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Grupos étnicos, idiomas, religiones

Grupos étnicos

rumana 89,3 %, húngara 6 %, romaní 3,4 %, ucraniana 0,3 %, alemana 0,1 %, otras 0,9 % (estimación de 2021)

Idiomas

rumano (oficial) 91,6 %, húngaro 6,3 %, romaní 1,2 %, otras 0,7 % (estimación de 2021)

Religiones

ortodoxa rumana 85,3 %, católica romana 4,5 %, reformada 3 %, pentecostal 2,5 %, otras 4,7 % (estimación de 2021)

Perfiles de país: The World Factbook (CIA), dominio público, última edición (2025-2026); traducción de Humanitaires Jobs.

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Economía y sociedad

Panorama económico

economía de ingresos altos, miembro de la Unión Europea; la adhesión al euro se ha retrasado por indicadores macroeconómicos; inflación persistente, pero el consumo y las inversiones financiadas por la UE impulsan la recuperación; escasez de mano de obra cualificada; elevada deuda pública y déficit presupuestario; los retos incluyen la sostenibilidad fiscal y la inestabilidad política

19 MPoblación2025

52,2 %Población urbana2025

22.538 US$PIB por habitante2025

0,7 %Crecimiento del PIB2025

7,2 %Inflación2025

0,7 %Pobreza extrema (línea internacional)2023

6 %Desempleo2025

99,2 %Alfabetización de adultos2021

91,3 %Usuarios de Internet2024

100 %Acceso a la electricidad2024

Refugiados y desplazados

206.671refugiados acogidos2025

316solicitantes de asilo2025

11.007refugiados y solicitantes de asilo originarios del país2025

257apátridas2025

Indicadores: Banco Mundial (CC BY 4.0); refugiados y desplazados: ACNUR, Refugee Data Finder. Último año disponible para cada cifra.

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Portadores de armas

Fuerzas armadas y de seguridad

Fuerzas Armadas Rumanas (Forțele Armate Române o Armata Română): Fuerzas Terrestres Rumanas, Fuerzas Navales Rumanas, Fuerza Aérea RumanaMinisterio del Interior: Policía Rumana, Gendarmería Rumana, Policía de Fronteras Rumana (2025)

Grupos terroristas designados

Estado Islámico de Irak y al-Sham (ISIS)

Lista informativa, que debe completarse con el análisis de seguridad de su organización y de los foros de seguridad de ONG.

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Advertencias oficiales

Consejos del Gobierno británico (FCDO) a los viajeros. Algunas indicaciones se dirigen a ciudadanos británicos; siga siempre las de su organización.

Traducción en curso: texto oficial en inglés.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

see general advice for women travellers
read our guide on disability and travel abroad
see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
read about safety for solo and independent travel
see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Follow FCDO:  

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Seguridad reciente

Eventos de violencia organizada registrados por UCDP, julio – septiembre de 2026.

Ningún evento de violencia organizada registrado en el país en este periodo.

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Seguridad

Traducción en curso: texto oficial en inglés.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. 

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Romania

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Romania, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.

Political situation and demonstrations

There is widespread military activity in neighbouring Ukraine. See Ukraine travel advice.

Crime

Protecting your belongings

Be alert to petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Thieves use distraction techniques and can carry out organised attacks in groups. Take care of your passport, money and personal belongings, particularly:

near money exchanges and hotels
on public transport, especially to the airport
in main railway stations
inside airport terminals

Criminals have copied credit or debit cards in some bars and restaurants.

Use a hotel safe for valuables where possible and carry a copy of your passport.

Drink spiking

There is a risk of drink spiking in bars and clubs. Be careful not to take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended.

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Romania have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Increasing numbers of people, including foreign visitors, have been arrested and received lengthy sentences for drug offences at music festivals in Romania.

Using cameras in secure areas

Most airports and military bases have signs banning photography. If you’re not sure if photography is allowed, ask permission.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Romania. There are active LGBT+ communities and events in Romania, though the majority of LGBT+ people are not open. Find information on LGBT+ issues in Romania and read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Romania, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Romania guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of, such as:

carrying a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangle and a fluorescent jacket
using winter tyres (or snow chains for certain vehicles) whenever snow, ice or sleet is on the road – common practice is for this to be between November and March

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Romania. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, minimum age and holding an IDP.

Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Romania. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.

There is also guidance on driving if you’re living in Romania.

Driving conditions

Road conditions are variable and roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for:

double-parked cars
people suddenly braking or swerving to avoid potholes
horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs in rural areas

Accidents and vehicle damage

You must get a report at the scene of an accident in Romania. If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in the country, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage. Doing this will help you avoid problems when you leave Romania.

Toll roads

You must pay a road toll ‘rovinieta’ to use the national roads. Buy a vignette at border points and at most petrol stations. If you do not purchase the vignette, you may get a heavy fine.

Taxis

Most taxis in Bucharest should list prices on the side of the vehicle and display a company name. Taxi drivers sometimes overcharge foreign visitors. Taxi apps such as Uber and Bolt are generally reliable.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

You may receive alerts on your mobile phone from the Romanian government in the event of extreme weather, a natural disaster or other emergency. These are in Romanian and English, and you should follow the authorities’ instructions.

Earthquakes

Romania is in a seismically active area and tremors happen regularly. The last major earthquake was in 1977. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

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Salud

Indicadores de salud

76,5añosEsperanza de vida2024

7,3por 1.000 nacidos vivosMortalidad de menores de 5 años2024

12por 100.000 nacidos vivosMortalidad materna2023

3,63por 1.000 habitantesMédicos2022

100 %Acceso básico a agua potable2024

Riesgos sanitarios y precauciones (consejos oficiales)

Traducción en curso: texto oficial en inglés.

Before you travel check that:

your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

check latest vaccine recommendations for Romania
see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Romania.

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Romania. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Romania

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Romania where some staff will speak English.

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Romania, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:

how to apply for a GHIC
how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:

changes to travel and accommodation bookings
additional standard costs for treatment
medical repatriation to the UK
treatment that is ruled non-urgent
private healthcare
private clinics

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Romania.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

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Entrada y visados

Su nacionalidad

Para otras nacionalidades:

Sin visado (68): Albania, Alemania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Bélgica, Bosnia y Herzegovina, Brasil, Bulgaria, Canadá, Chequia, Chile, Chipre, Colombia, Corea del Sur, Costa Rica, Croacia, Dinamarca, El Salvador, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Eslovaquia, España, Estados Unidos, Finlandia, Francia, Georgia, Grecia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungría, Irlanda, Islas Salomón, Israel, Italia, Japón, Kiribati, Kosovo, Luxemburgo, Macedonia del Norte, Malasia, Mauricio, México, Moldavia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Noruega, Nueva Zelanda, Países Bajos, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Polonia, Portugal, Reino Unido, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapur, Suecia, Suiza, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad y Tobago, Ucrania, Uruguay, Venezuela
Visado que se solicita en la embajada antes del viaje (103): Afganistán, Angola, Arabia Saudí, Argelia, Armenia, Azerbaiyán, Bangladés, Baréin, Benín, Bielorrusia, Bolivia, Botsuana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Bután, Cabo Verde, Camboya, Camerún, Catar, Chad, China, Comoras, Congo, Corea del Norte, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egipto, Eritrea, Esuatini, Etiopía, Filipinas, Fiyi, Gabón, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Ecuatorial, Guinea-Bisáu, Guyana, Haití, India, Indonesia, Irak, Irán, Jamaica, Jordania, Kazajistán, Kenia, Kirguistán, Kuwait, Laos, Lesoto, Líbano, Liberia, Libia, Madagascar, Malaui, Maldivas, Mali, Marruecos, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Níger, Nigeria, Omán, Pakistán, Palestina, Papúa Nueva Guinea, República Centroafricana, República Democrática del Congo, República Dominicana, Ruanda, Rusia, Santo Tomé y Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leona, Siria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudáfrica, Sudán, Sudán del Sur, Surinam, Tailandia, Tanzania, Tayikistán, Togo, Túnez, Turkmenistán, Turquía, Uganda, Uzbekistán, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Yibuti, Zambia, Zimbabue

Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), licencia MIT. Indicativo, para una estancia turística; verifique siempre con la embajada o el consulado. (17 de febrero de 2026)

Visado de trabajo y permiso humanitario

Un visado de turista no permite trabajar: su organización suele solicitar un visado de trabajo o de misión, con carta de invitación y el registro de la ONG ante las autoridades.
Suele tardar varias semanas: tenga listos pasaporte válido al menos 6 meses, fotos, diplomas, contrato y certificado internacional de vacunación.
El personal de Naciones Unidas viaja con el laissez-passer y un visado oficial solicitado por la agencia.

Requisitos de entrada detallados (FCDO, para viajeros británicos)

Traducción en curso: texto oficial en inglés.

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Romania set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Romanian Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Romania follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must have:

have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area
an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Carry your passport if you travel from Romania to other Schengen area countries. Border guards will check it if you cross land or river borders into Bulgaria or Hungary, both are in the Schengen area.

There are no routine checks when travelling by air or sea within the Schengen area, but carry your passport in case you’re asked for it.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Romania, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

as a tourist
to visit family or friends
to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Romania are different.

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

You may also need to:

show a return or onward ticket
prove that you have enough money for your stay

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Romanian Embassy in the UK.

If you’re in Romania with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Read about entry processes if you live in Romania.

New Schengen entry requirements

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area. 

This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration. 

On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken. 

You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.

EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.

If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK. 

Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.

If you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.

If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Romania guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Romania (in Romanian). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into Romania

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Romania

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Leaving Romania with children aged 17 and under

To leave Romania with a child aged 17 and under who holds Romanian citizenship, you may need to show notarised parental consent if:

you are not the child’s parent
you are a parent but the other parent is not travelling with you

For more information, contact the Romanian Embassy in the UK.

For a list of the public notaries, see the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania website.

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Coordinación humanitaria

Antes de llegar, inscríbase en las coordinaciones: comparten alertas, reuniones de los clusters y contactos útiles.

Directorio mundial de foros de ONG (ICVA)

Clusters: salud, nutrición, protección, WASH (agua, saneamiento e higiene), seguridad alimentaria, alojamiento, educación, logística, telecomunicaciones de emergencia y CCCM. OCHA publica sus reuniones y contactos en cada país donde están activados.

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Los humanitarios sobre el terreno

Organizaciones que contratan en el país, según las ofertas abiertas del sitio:

WV · 2

Ver las ofertas en Rumanía Financiación ↗Licitaciones ↗Formarse en seguridad sobre el terreno

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Fichas por región

Violencia de los últimos 3 meses, ofertas de empleo y pasajes de los consejos oficiales que citan la región.