Romania: Travel Advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The following information has been edited from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk

Romania shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.

Most consular cases involve petty crime, lost or stolen passports and car theft. Beware of young pickpockets in city centres especially in crowded areas e.g. buses, trains and busy streets. Keep valuable belongings in a hotel safe where possible.

Romania has been experiencing seasonal flooding (see Safety and Security: Flooding for further information).

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Romania shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.

You are advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. You should also be alert to the risk of petty theft in large towns, especially in Bucharest, and for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops, hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), main railway stations and inside airport areas.

Corruption is widespread. There have been reports of policemen stopping foreign cars and demanding payment of fines in hard currency for spurious offences. Bogus policemen may also approach pedestrians and ask to check their documents as a way of stealing cash. If approached in this way, you should decline to pay any fine or hand over any documents but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station.

We are aware of thefts of valuables including passports from hotel rooms. Items of value, including passports and credit cards should be deposited in hotel safes. However, you should carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID.

You should be aware that there are reports of credit or charge cards being 'copied' when used in some bars and restaurants, resulting in illegal charges being raised against the user account.

Since mid April, Romania has experienced seasonal flooding on many areas along the Danube River. Water levels are high in 12 counties, especially Dolje, Braila, Galati and Tulcea. Main roads and transport links in these areas remain open. Bucharest has not been affected by flooding.

You should follow local advice from the Romanian authorities who are carrying out controlled flooding to divert the water. If you are concerned, speak to your hotel or travel agent, or contact the British Embassy in Bucharest.

Bucharest has cheap and plentiful public transport provided by underground, bus, and tram. Yellow taxis are also abundant but make sure prices are listed on the side of the vehicle and that the taxi bears a company name. There are frequent reports of foreign visitors being overcharged by taxi drivers. Other cities have fairly good bus services. Cities and towns are linked by extensive rail services. If travelling on a domestic air flight, you should have your passport ready for inspection at all times.

If you are driving to Romania, please note that on entry you are required to pay a road toll to allow you to use the national roads. Tolls are charged on motorways and main roads out of town, payable in Euros. Upon payment, ensure you receive and display the windscreen stickers confirming you have paid the toll. Please note that failure to pay the road toll or to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine.

The cost for cars, at time of writing, is three Euros for a one-week vignette or six Euros for one month, but prices may change. Costs are higher for freight vehicles and coaches for eight or more passengers. Tickets can be purchased at border points on entering the country or at post offices and at most petrol stations throughout Romania.

If driving, you need to be alert for horse-drawn carts and livestock especially at night. The police carry out frequent checks, and it is essential that you observe the speed limit, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and have with you all your car documents including evidence of insurance valid in Romania. Note that there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving. In winter, equip your car for extreme conditions.

If travelling by train, you should check with operators on the availability of sleeping compartments and whether bicycles can be taken on board. This may vary between regions, and there may be additional charges. Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that documents and other valuables are safe.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

It is illegal to change money on the streets. Money should be changed in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related or sex offences very seriously (the age of consent is 18). Custodial sentences can be expected for any foreigners convicted of such offences.

Homosexuality is no longer illegal, but attitudes to the subject tend not to be broadminded and the gay community keeps a low profile.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. It is always advisable to ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg. official buildings, police cars).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You do not need a visa to enter Romania. As a British passport holder you can remain in the country for up to 90 days. However, if you intend to take up temporary residence in Romania (eg work contract, business, teaching, press activities, church or humanitarian aid projects etc) you should go to your nearest Romanian Passport Office within 15 days of your arrival in the country. The Passport Office will register your status and issue a residency permit, valid for a maximum of one year. This can be extended at the end of this period. Spouses and children of those applying to regularise their status in Romania must also apply at the Passport Office in person. If you intend to stay for an extended period you should register with the British Embassy.

Heavy fines have been introduced for foreigners who do not have the correct visa or whose visa has expired. In addition to fines, an exclusion order may be imposed preventing you from returning to Romania for a specific period of time.

With effect from 1 January 2006, all children entering Romania will need to have their own passport. Children included in parents' passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph. Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting children to leave the country.

HEALTH

There have been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania. You are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations before travelling. You should drink only bottled water.

Rabies is endemic in Romania. It has largely been confined to the rural areas. You should be wary of, and try to avoid contact with, the numerous stray dogs. If bitten, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If visiting rural areas of Romania, you should consider having a course of rabies inoculations.

Stray dogs in Romania are also reported to carry the tick-borne African Typhus disease. Those most at risk are the elderly, the young and the infirm.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

There have been confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the Danube Delta and elsewhere in Romania. The Romanian authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreaks including restricting access to certain villages. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

For further information on health, check the Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk

GENERAL

We recommend that you carry Euros in Romania. Dollars and Sterling are not always easy to exchange for the local currency especially outside of Bucharest. You may also have difficulties using travellers' cheques and credit cards. (And bear in mind the advice on card copying as mentioned in the Crime section).

Romania is in the middle of a process of redenominating its currency, moving from ROL to RON. 10,000 ROL = 1 RON. Banknotes and coins of both denominations are in circulation. Some shops, restaurants and taxis show prices only in RON. Others show prices in both RON and ROL. This can be confusing for foreign visitors.

CONTACT DETAILS

Address: British Embassy, 24 Jules Michelet 010463 Bucharest, Romania

Telephone: Visa (40) (21) 201 7300 Main (40) (21) 201 7200

Email: (general enquiries only)

Website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/romania