Daily life roadmap
Arrival → SIM and cash/cards → Transport pass → Grocery routine
Student checklist — first week
- Day 1–2: withdraw RON, SIM (Digi/Orange) or eSIM, save housing address and international office contact.
- Day 3–5: transport pass with student card, first shop at Lidl/Kaufland, list of utility bills to pay (power/gas/internet).
- Week 1: book IGI if non-EU (do it early), course WhatsApp group, activate university email for education software.
Weekly budget method (practical)
- Monthly estimate — Use the table below; divide by 4 for a weekly cap (e.g. 600 EUR/month → 150 EUR/week).
- Fixed costs — Pay rent and transport pass on the due date; do not spend that slice elsewhere.
- Food — 1–2 discount shops + market for produce; university canteen 2–3 times/week if cheap.
- Buffer — Keep 50–80 EUR for surprises (pharmacy, documents, phone top-up).
- Sunday review — 10 minutes on your statement: over cap? Adjust next week.
Indicative monthly student budget (2026)
| Item | Bucharest | Cluj / Timișoara / Iași |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (room) | 280–450 EUR | 200–380 EUR |
| Food | 150–220 EUR | 130–200 EUR |
| Transport | 15–30 EUR | 12–25 EUR |
| Phone + internet | 10–20 EUR | 10–18 EUR |
| Utilities (if not included) | 40–90 EUR | 35–80 EUR |
| Leisure / books | 50–100 EUR | 40–80 EUR |
| Indicative total | 545–910 EUR | 427–783 EUR |
Last updated: May 2026 — orientation only; gross minimum wage is 4,050 RON (Jan–Jun 2026) / 4,325 RON (from Jul 2026) — HG 146/2026
Supermarkets and saving
- Discount: Lidl, Kaufland, Profi, Penny.
- Convenience: Mega Image (pricier but widespread in cities).
- Markets: Piață agroalimentară for seasonal fruit and vegetables.
- University canteens — Subsidised meals where available.
Student discounts
- Urban transport — Reduced monthly pass with student ID (e.g. STB Bucharest, CTP Cluj) — ask at ticket offices.
- Museums / culture — Reductions with student card (varies by city).
- Software — Microsoft/Google education via university email.
- CFR trains — Concessions for under 25 / students on some routes — check CFR Călători.
Public transport
- Bucharest — Metro + bus/tram (STB); Info TB / 24pay apps for digital tickets.
- Cluj — CTP buses; student passes at authorised sales points.
- Timișoara / Iași — Local bus/tram networks; check the municipal transport site.
- Buy a monthly pass if you commute daily (cheaper than single tickets).
Last updated: May 2026 — STB Bucharest
SIM and internet
- Operators: Digi (often cheap), Orange, Vodafone, Yoxo (digital).
- Documents: Passport + residence permit; some prepaid plans at kiosks without a long contract.
- eSIM — Available from main operators; useful if your phone supports it.
- Wi‑Fi — Home fibre approx. 8–15 EUR/month split with flatmates.
Life on your own (what parents often did at home)
Survival is not only budget and buses: it is laundry, basic cooking, shared bills, and small chores. In a cămin or shared flat, agree written rules with flatmates.
Washing machine — in your flat or the building laundry room
- Where: many blocks have shared laundry (coins or app); in-room machines are often in the bathroom or enclosed balcony.
- Programs: labels in Romanian/English — bumbac (cotton), sintetice (synthetics), delicate; if unsure, use cool/medium wash and lower spin.
- Detergent: supermarkets (Ariel, Persil, local brands); hard water in some areas needs less powder than you expect.
- Drying: indoor rack; central heating in winter helps but ventilate to avoid damp smell.
- Cost: building laundry often 3–8 RON per cycle; check hours and booking in small blocks.
- Separate whites, dark colours, and delicates; empty pockets.
- Check garment labels — if in doubt, 30–40 °C.
- Do not overfill the drum (about ¾ full).
- Hang laundry soon after the cycle to avoid odours.
Basic cooking and canteen
- Starter kit: pot, pan, knife, board — discount stores or OLX second-hand.
- Cheap food: Lidl/Kaufland for the week; market for produce.
- University canteen — subsidised meals when available (cheaper than delivery apps).
- Safety: never leave stoves unattended; in dorms follow shared-kitchen rules.
Bills, cleaning, and flatmates
- Utilities: power/gas/internet often split — track who paid what (bank app or Revolut).
- Block maintenance (întreținere): building fee separate from rent — ask the landlord what is included.
- Cleaning: weekly rota for bathroom, kitchen, bins.
- Rubbish: bins in the courtyard; ask the landlord for collection days.
Driving licence
- EU licence: generally valid temporarily; for long-term use check conversion at DRPCIV (road registry).
- Non-EU licence: often needs translation and international permit or re-examination — national rules apply.
- Bucharest: heavy traffic; many students rely on public transport only.
Pets
Bringing a pet to Romania (EU)
- Microchip ISO 11784/11785.
- Valid rabies vaccination (after microchip).
- EU pet passport or equivalent health documents.
- Non-listed countries: check veterinary entry rules on ANSVSA.
- Lease: many landlords ban pets — get it in writing.
Culture: what surprises students
- Language: English common among young people in university cities, but public offices often Romanian — learn basic phrases or use offline translation.
- Cash: RON still widely used; cards accepted almost everywhere in cities.
- Shop hours: Malls often open Sundays; public offices closed weekends.
- Hospitality — Social culture; home invitations are common.
- Winter — Central heating; bring warm clothing.
Useful apps
| App / service | Use |
|---|---|
| 24pay, Info TB | Bucharest transport tickets |
| Bolt, Uber | Taxi / ride-hailing |
| Glovo, tazz, Foodpanda | Food delivery |
| Revolut, local bank apps | Payments |
| Google Translate (offline Romanian) | Admin tasks |
| Portal IGI (web) | Immigration appointments |
Pharmacies, post, services
- Pharmacies — Green cross sign; many 24h in city centres; OTC range smaller than in some EU countries.
- Poșta Română — Parcels and registered mail; queues possible; Fan Courier, Cargus for e-commerce.
- ATMs — Euronet machines may charge high fees; use traditional bank ATMs.
Last updated: May 2026 — gov.ro
Next step: insurance and GP — Health guide.
Sources
October–April extra condominium budget.
Quick reference
Warm social life, abundant food, cold winters. Fields and mountains nearby. English ok on campus, Romanian helps outside.
Transport
Mobility
CFR trains, Bucharest metro, buses. Bolt. Car less necessary on campus.
- CFR
- STB
- Bolt
Climate and what to pack
Winter -10 possible; heavy coat. Hot summer.
Phone and internet
Telephone
Digi, Orange, Vodafone. Economical prepaid. Limited eSIMs.
Food and groceries
Large portions. Affordable local markets. Top university canteen for budgets.
Habits and settling in
High hospitality. Administration delays — patience. Basic Romanian appreciated.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Key numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Single EU emergency | 112 |
| Gendarmerie (example Bucharest) | 021 9544 111 (verify locally) |
| Consumer helpline (ANPC) | 021 9551 (check hours) |
Post & pharmacy
Poșta Română
Go deeper
Driving licence & ID
Exchange rules, international permits, and minimum ages differ widely. Confirm with the national or state motoring authority in Romania before driving; rental desks usually require licence plus passport or national ID.
Mobile plans & SIM
Compare prepaid vs contract; you will usually need ID and sometimes proof of address. Ask about number portability, fair-use data caps, and EU/international roaming if you travel outside Romania.
Groceries & food
Mix discount supermarkets with local markets and food-rescue apps where they operate. Check Sunday opening rules and bag/bottle deposit schemes in Romania—they affect weekly cost.