Complete Guide for Moving to Bucharest in 2025
A complete guide to moving to Bucharest, Romania, along with a checklist to help you find housing via agencies like ours,where you will find examples of rental options at whitemountain.ro:
Moving to Bucharest: Complete Guide
1. Visa & Legal Requirements
- EU/EEA Citizens: No visa needed; register with immigration for residency.
- Non-EU Citizens: Apply for a long-stay visa (D/AS or D/IE) based on work, study, or business. Convert to residence permit within 90 days.
- Documents needed:
- Passport (valid)
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract or ownership)
- Health insurance
- Proof of income or employment
- Police clearance (sometimes)
Register at: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), Bucharest
https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/
2. Finding Accommodation
Popular Neighborhoods:
- Old Town (Centru Vechi) – Lively, noisy, walkable, touristy
- Piata Victoriei / Aviatorilor / Doroban?i – Upscale, embassies, quiet
- Tineretului/ Titan/ Timpuri Noi – popular, residential with parks
- Herastrau / Floreasca – Green, lakeside, modern condos
- Universitate / Romana – Central, good for students and expats
Search using real estate websites or agencies like:ours
- whitemountain.ro – expat-friendly, English support or portals like...
- storia.ro
- imobiliare.ro
- Homezz.ro
- Publi24.ro
- OLX.ro
Keywords to use in your search:
- long term rent
- expat housing Bucharest
- serviced apartment
- modern apartment central Bucharest
- studio in Herastrau / Floreasca
- furnished 2-bedroom near metro
- pet-friendly apartment
- house with garden
- 'Villa to rent, Bucharest'
- utilities included
- parking included
- balcony / terrace / view
3. Cost of Living (Estimates)
- Rent: €400–€1,900/month depending on size & location
- Utilities: €80–€250/month
- Mobile + Internet: €10–€20/month
- Food/Groceries: €200–€300/month
- Public transport pass: €12/month
4. Transport & Getting Around
- Metro: Fast, cheap, reliable. 5 lines.
- Buses & trams: Extensive but slower during peak times.
- Taxi & rideshare: Use Bolt or Uber for fair pricing.
- Driving: EU licenses accepted; non-EU must convert within 90 days. Heavy traffic and parking issues.
5. Healthcare
- Public hospitals can be crowded; most expats use private clinics (Regina Maria, MedLife, Sanador).
- Consider private health insurance or EU health card (EHIC) if eligible.
6. Language
- Romanian is the official language.
- English widely spoken in central areas, among young people and professionals.
7. Work & Banking
- Open a bank account: Banca Transilvania, ING, BRD, Wise or Revolut– need proof of address and passport.
- Digital nomads/freelancers can use Revolut, Wise, or open a local account.
- For jobs: check eJobs.ro, BestJobs.eu, or local expat FB groups.
8. Social & Expat Life
- Join Facebook groups like:
- Expats in Bucharest
- Foreigners in Romania
- Bucharest Housing, Rooms, Apartments for Rent
- Cafes, coworking (Commons, Mindspace, Hotspot), parks (Cismigiu, Herastrau), and nightlife in Old Town.
Moving to Bucharest: Checklist
Before Arrival
- [ ] Research visa/residency requirements
- [ ] Apply for visa (if needed)
- [ ] Secure accommodation (temporary or long-term)
- [ ] Arrange airport transfer or transport
- [ ] Check mobile plan or eSIM option
- [ ] Translate and notarize documents (as required)
Upon Arrival
- [ ] Register at IGI for residence (within 30 days)
- [ ] Sign long-term rental contract
- [ ] Register lease at ANAF (tax authority)
- [ ] Open bank account
- [ ] Set up mobile + internet
- [ ] Get health insurance
- [ ] Explore neighborhoods and transport options
Optional
- [ ] Find a general practitioner
- [ ] Join expat community
- [ ] Learn basic Romanian phrases
- [ ] Buy SIM card or recharge prepaid
- [ ] Set up tax or freelance status (if working)
Let us know if you'd like furthwr advice (e.g. for remote work, family, or retirement), or helpfinding a home via ourselves at White Mountain Property directly.
