Briefing d'orientation en Roumanie

Les principautés de Valachie et de Moldavie, placées pendant des siècles sous le contrôle de l'Empire ottoman turc, obtinrent leur autonomie par le traité de Paris en 1856. Elles furent de facto unies en 1859 et formellement réunies en 1862 sous le nouveau nom de Roumanie. Le pays rejoignit les puissances alliées pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et acquit ensuite de nouveaux territoires, notamment la Transylvanie, qui plus que doublèrent sa superficie. En 1940, la Roumanie s'allia aux puissances de l'Axe et participa à l'invasion allemande de l'URSS en 1941. Trois ans plus tard, submergée par les Soviétiques, la Roumanie signa un armistice. L'occupation soviétique d'après-guerre conduisit à la formation d'une « république populaire » communiste en 1947 et à l'abdication du roi. Le régime de plusieurs décennies du dictateur Nicolae CEAUSESCU, arrivé au pouvoir en 1965, et son État policier, la Securitate, devinrent de plus en plus oppressifs et draconiens au cours des années 1980. CEAUSESCU fut renversé et exécuté à la fin de 1989. Les anciens communistes dominèrent le gouvernement jusqu'en 1996, année où ils furent chassés du pouvoir. La Roumanie a adhéré à l'OTAN en 2004, à l'UE en 2007 et à l'espace Schengen pour les voyages aériens et maritimes en 2024.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.