Visas, permits, and documents
IGI residence permit, Ministry acceptance letter, e-VISA, and CNP — not Italy’s questura/permesso di soggiorno flow.
Countries · Student guide
Romania: guide to moving and studying
Bureaucracy, housing, budget, and university life in Romania — IGI, primărie, and RON costs, not the Italian playbook
Updated on 24 May 2026
Cost of living
Low
Typical spending band for a student
Language
Romanian / EN
Main language to handle day to day
Currency
RON
Local currency for banking and payments
Entry
EU: no visa
Non-EU: student visa or permit required. EU: local registration only
The 6 guides
Everything about Romania, in 6 guides
One guide for each concrete need, from visas to housing: start with the one you need now.
How to find housing and sign a lease
Imobiliare.ro, OLX, deposits, and affordable rents outside Bucharest.
Cost of living and monthly budget
BCR, Banca Transilvania, card payments, and low cost of living.
Healthcare and health insurance
CNAS contributions, family doctor, pharmacies, and private clinics.
First days: phone, banking, and transport
Kaufland, public transport, Orange/Vodafone, and Revolut.
Student work and local employment rules
IT and BPO jobs, employment contracts, PFA freelance, and eJobs.
Start here
What to do first for Romania
Resolve the decisions that can block your move before comparing cities or reading every detail.
Check entry, visa, and document rules Start with eligibility, deadlines, and official procedures for your situation. Check the lease and upfront housing costs Understand deposits, guarantees, contracts, and student housing before paying. Arrange healthcare before arrival Confirm insurance, enrollment rules, and where to get help once you arrive.
Your checklist
Before departure and after arrival in Romania
Use this as an order of work, then open the linked guide before acting on a legal or financial requirement.
Plan your money
Romania: cost of living, rent, and monthly budget
Start with housing, food, transport, healthcare, and setup costs. Treat estimates as planning ranges and verify local prices before committing.
Cities and neighborhoods
Where to live in Romania: student cities and costs
Neighborhoods, rent, universities, transport and safety: everything you need to choose where to move.
Bucarest
- from 1,300 RONroom/month
- 5universities
Capital of Romania and the largest city in south-eastern Europe after Athens, Bucharest is a metropolis in full swing: one of the main technological hubs in Eastern Europe, with many IT companies and development centres, one of the lowest costs of living among EU capitals and a legendary nightlife in the Old Center (Centrul Vechi). A large university center (University of Bucharest, Politehnica, ASE), it combines the imposing architecture of the communist era (the Parliament Building) with large parks and very different neighborhoods. The language is close to Italian and English is widespread among young people and in the tech sector. The bureaucracy is lighter than elsewhere, but guides in Italian are scarce.
Open city guideCluj-Napoca- from 1,300 RONroom/month
- 5universities
Heart of Transylvania and technological capital of Romania — often called the “Silicon Valley” of the East — Cluj-Napoca is a young, dynamic and energy-filled city. It is home to Babeș-Bolyai, the country's largest university, and is one of the most student cities in Europe in relation to population, with a leading tech, cultural and festival scene (Untold, Electric Castle, TIFF). Compact, historic and livable, it has one of the highest quality of life in Romania. The downside is that rents, driven by the tech boom, are the most expensive in the country. As in Bucharest, the language is close to Italian and English is widespread among young people.
Open city guideLocal context
Romania: what really changes
Use the destination-specific notes to understand trade-offs, common mistakes, and local differences.
Overview
In Romania the cost of living is among the lowest in the EU, but services and bureaucratic times vary greatly between Bucharest and university cities. For EU students many steps are simple; the real work is decent accommodation and realistic expectations on quality services.
What really changes here
Ideal if…
- Students on a limited budget who want EU
- Medicine, IT, languages in Cluj, Timișoara, Iași
- Those who accept slower pace and less Western "comfort".
- Active university life and low costs
Harder if…
- You are looking for German standards at Romanian prices everywhere
- You don't speak English/Romanian for local offices
- You expect punctual transportation everywhere
- You do not tolerate cold winters with weak heating
Mistakes to avoid
- Sign without understanding winter condominium costs
- Paying “agencies” without a contract
- Being uninsured if you work
- Underestimate unofficial taxi scams
Verification
Official sources and last update
Legal and administrative details are kept in the relevant guide so they are not copied out of context.
Where to verify the information
Each topic guide links to the competent official authorities. Always check the rule that applies to your citizenship, residence, purpose, and length of stay.
Hub last verified: