Romania entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
As a UK passport holder, you can visit Romania visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area and was issued within the last 10 years. Don't overstay the 90-day limit within any 180-day period — Romania follows Schengen short-stay rules.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Romania. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Romanian law, but airlines may enforce a 3-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen zone | Border officers at Bucharest Otopeni and other entry points routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this at passport control. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Immigration may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and contact number covers this. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient money for your stay | You should be able to show you have enough cash, cards, or bank statements to cover your trip — roughly €50–€100 per day depending on your accommodation. Officers rarely ask, but having a bank statement ready avoids delays. | Recommended |
Schengen 90/180-day rule also applies to Romania
Romania is now part of the Schengen area (air/sea since March 2024, land later). Your 90-day visa-free limit counts across all Schengen countries. If you've spent 60 days in France earlier, you only have 30 days left for Romania and any other Schengen country. Use the Schengen calculator online to stay safe.
Local currency: Romanian Leu (RON)
Romania uses the leu (plural: lei), not the euro. Euros are accepted in some hotels or big shops but at poor rates. Carry some lei for taxis, cafes, and markets. ATMs are everywhere – your UK card will work. Notify your bank before travel to avoid blocks.
What happens at the border
1
Queue at passport control
When you land at any Romanian airport (Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, etc.), follow signs to 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU' lines – UK is non-EU now. The queue can be 20–40 minutes during peak times.
2
Hand over your passport
Present your UK passport with the photo page facing the officer. They'll scan it, check the validity and issue date, and may ask a couple of questions: purpose of visit, length of stay, sometimes where you're staying. Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Get stamped in
The officer will stamp your passport with an entry stamp and the number of days allowed. Double-check the stamp is on a blank page, and that the date is correct. You're free to go.
Download Romania Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (approx. $88 USD)
For stays beyond 90 days or if visa-free is not available. Apply at Romanian embassy/consulate.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€120 (approx. $132 USD)
Requires proof of multiple trips or business need. Not guaranteed.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay90 days to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€120 (approx. $132 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Romanian Work Visa (D/AM)
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $132 USD) application fee
For UK nationals with a job offer in Romania. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit approval. Allows residence and work rights.
student visa
Romanian Student Visa (D/SD)
Duration of studies, renewable annually
€120 (approx. $132 USD) application fee
For UK nationals enrolled in a Romanian educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds. Allows part-time work.
digital nomad visa
Romania Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $132 USD) application fee
For remote workers with income from outside Romania. Must earn at least €3,700/month. No work permit needed. Includes tax benefits.
retirement visa
Romania Long-Stay Visa for Retirees
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $132 USD) application fee
For UK retirees with sufficient pension or savings. Requires proof of accommodation and health insurance. No work allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine (per day)Fines are calculated from the day after your visa-free stay expires. Pay at the border or immigration office before leaving. | €4 (approx. $4.40 USD) per day, max €800 (approx. $880 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free is not suitable. Apply at Romanian embassy/consulate. | €80 (approx. $88 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within a period, typically up to 1 year. Requires justification. | €120 (approx. $132 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Romania
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Romania, even if leaving the airside transit area.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsHenri Coandă International Airport (OTP) – Bucharest · Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) · Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR)
Health & vaccines for Romania
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas, especially in central and northern Romania. Vaccination recommended for hikers.
West Nile virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic cases in summer. Use repellent in rural areas.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Tap water is generally safe in cities, but bottled water is advised in rural areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bucharest
Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (IGI)
Strada Nicolae Iorga nr. 30, Sector 1, Bucharest
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
For visa extensions or residence permits. Bring passport, proof of funds, and accommodation.
Cluj-Napoca
Inspectoratul Teritorial pentru Imigrări Cluj
Strada Moților nr. 1-3, Cluj-Napoca
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles visa issues for the Transylvania region. Appointments recommended.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalBucharest
LanguageRomanian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP.
Money
CurrencyRomanian Leu (RON)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.47 RON
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water varies significantly by region.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Romania
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Romania — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is a rolling window: count back 180 days and add up all the days you've been in Romania (and other Schengen countries). Overstaying can lead to fines, deportation, or a ban.
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term study (e.g., a language course). For paid work or longer study, you need the appropriate visa or permit. Remote work for a UK employer while in Romania is usually okay, but don't take a local job.
Generally no. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances (serious medical emergency, force majeure). You must apply at the local immigration office (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări) before your 90 days expire. It's not straightforward and usually requires strong proof. Best to leave and re-enter after 90 days outside the Schengen zone.
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, must have their own passport with the same validity requirements (3 months beyond departure, issued within 10 years). Children cannot be added to a parent's passport. No visa is needed for children, but the same 90-day limit applies.
You cannot stay beyond the 90 days with an expired passport. You must renew your passport at the nearest British Embassy (Bucharest) or Consulate, which can take several days. Contact the embassy immediately. Overstaying with an invalid passport can cause legal trouble.
No, for EU/EEA/UK citizens staying up to 90 days, no registration is required. If you overstay or have a long-term visa, different rules apply. For standard visa-free visits, just keep your passport and entry stamp as proof of your stay.
Yes, but expect longer queues at land borders because of extra checks. The same visa-free rules apply: 90 days in 180. If you've already used 90 days in Schengen, you won't be allowed to enter even from a non-Schengen neighbour. Keep track of your days.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.