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Romania

Bureaucracy, housing, budget, and university life in Romania — IGI, primărie, and RON costs, not the Italian playbook

Updated on: Jun 10, 2026

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

  • CNP (personal code) after residence: useful for contracts and healthcare
  • Residence permit only outside the EU for over 90 days
  • Low rents but check central heating and condominium expenses
  • Healthcare: CAS insurance if you work; EHIC for EU short
  • Economical transport; metro Bucharest; taxi app (Bolt)
  • Payments: increasing cards; cash still strong

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

First 7 days

  1. Temporary accommodation with address
  2. University registration
  3. CNP request if long stay (non-EU: permitted)
  4. RON or EU bank account
  5. Local SIM (Orange, Vodafone, Digi)
  6. Healthcare registration if you work
  7. Save 112; learn reliable taxi numbers
Mistakes to avoid
  • Sign without understanding winter condominium costs
  • Paying “agencies” without a contract
  • Being uninsured if you work
  • Underestimate unofficial taxi scams

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