Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Romania is a member of the EU. It joined the Schengen Area for air and sea borders in 2024, with full participation including land borders following in 2025. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a visa. This depends on your nationality, and the EU ETIAS travel authorisation is planned for visa-exempt non-EU travellers. Rules can change, so check the official Romanian and EU sources and your embassy before you travel.
- Area
- EU / Schengen (air & sea)
- Short stay
- Up to 90/180 days
- Check
- Official sources
- Visa-free entry depends on your nationality
- ETIAS authorisation is planned; check official EU/Romanian sources before travel
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
For most non-EU nationals, your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the previous 10 years, and it should have blank pages for stamps. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can use a valid national ID card instead of a passport. Check your specific requirements before you travel.
- Validity
- 3 months beyond departure
- Issued
- Within 10 years
- EU/EEA/CH
- National ID accepted
- Passport must be issued within the previous 10 years and have blank pages
- EU/EEA and Swiss citizens may travel with a national ID card
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
At the border you may be asked to show supporting documents in addition to your passport. These can include a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation), evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and travel insurance for the Schengen Area. Have these ready to speed up entry.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Accommodation proof
- Funds
- Sufficient means
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
- Travel insurance and evidence of funds may be requested
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
If you enter or leave the EU carrying cash of EUR 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies or easily convertible assets), you must declare it to customs. This applies to travel between Romania and countries outside the EU. Travel within the EU may have separate reporting rules on request. Failing to declare can lead to fines or seizure.
- Threshold
- EUR 10,000 or more
- When
- Entering/leaving the EU
- Action
- Declare to customs
- The limit covers cash and easily convertible assets combined
- Non-declaration may result in fines or confiscation
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
If you arrive from outside the EU, duty-free allowances apply, typically around 200 cigarettes and set amounts of alcohol, plus limits on the total value of other goods, for personal use only. If you travel within the EU, there are no duty-free limits for goods bought tax-paid, but they must be for personal use and larger quantities may be questioned. Check the current allowances before you travel.
- From non-EU
- Duty-free allowances apply
- Tobacco
- Around 200 cigarettes
- Within EU
- Personal use only
- Allowances cover tobacco, alcohol and a value limit on other goods
- Goods carried within the EU must be for personal use
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Prohibited or restricted items include illegal drugs, weapons and ammunition, and counterfeit goods. From outside the EU, personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products are generally restricted to protect against disease. Endangered species and products covered by CITES need permits, and cultural artefacts may also be controlled. When in doubt, declare items or leave them behind.
- Banned
- Drugs, weapons, counterfeits
- Restricted
- Meat/dairy from non-EU
- Permits
- CITES species/products
- Meat and dairy from outside the EU are generally not allowed
- CITES-listed species and products require permits
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring prescription medicines in their original packaging and carry a copy of the prescription, ideally with a doctor’s letter in English explaining what the medication is for. Products containing narcotic or psychotropic substances may face extra rules, so check in advance whether you need documentation or a permit. Keep essential medicines in your hand luggage.
- Packaging
- Keep original
- Documents
- Prescription + doctor’s letter
- Controlled
- Check rules in advance
- A doctor’s letter in English is recommended
- Narcotic or psychotropic medicines may need extra documentation
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
There are usually no special mandatory vaccinations to enter Romania for most travellers. It is sensible to be up to date with routine vaccinations. If you plan to spend time in forests or rural mountain areas, you may want to discuss tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) with your doctor. Check current health advice before you travel.
- Mandatory
- Usually none
- Routine
- Keep up to date
- Outdoors
- Consider TBE
- Routine vaccinations are recommended
- Tick-borne encephalitis is worth discussing for forest/mountain trips
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Since Romania joined the Schengen Area for air travel, flights within the Schengen zone are treated as internal, while arrivals from outside Schengen go through passport control. Most international travellers arrive at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă (Otopeni) Airport (OTP). There are usually separate lanes for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and for other passports. Officers may ask about the purpose of your visit, your funds and your return travel.
- Main airport
- Bucharest OTP (Otopeni)
- Lanes
- EU/EEA/CH and others
- Questions
- Purpose, funds, return
- Schengen-zone flights are treated as internal arrivals
- Have your return ticket and accommodation details ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Eligible travellers can often use eGates at Bucharest airport for faster entry. Follow the usual hand-luggage and liquid rules for your flight. For money, exchanging at banks or withdrawing from bank ATMs is usually safer than street exchange offices, whose rates and fees can be poor. Use official or app-based taxis and agree fares to avoid overcharging.
- eGate
- For eligible travellers
- Money
- Banks / bank ATMs
- Taxis
- Use official/app services
- Follow hand-luggage and liquid limits for your flight
- Avoid unofficial taxis; agree fares or use an app