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Cars 4 Rental Information on Romania

General

Area: 238,391 sq km (92,043 sq miles).

Population: 22,430,000 (2001).

Population Density: 94.1 per sq km.

Capital: Bucharest. Population: 2,011,305 (1999).

GEOGRAPHY: Romania is bordered to the north and east by Moldova and Ukraine, the southeast by the Black Sea, the south by Bulgaria, the southwest by Serbia and Montenegro and in the west by Hungary. The country is divided into four geographical areas. Transylvania (a belt of Alpine massifs and forests) and Moldavia compose the northern half of the country, which is divided down the middle by the north–south strip of the Carpathian Mountains. South of the east–west line of the Carpathians lies the flat Danube plain of Walachia with the capital Bucharest, its border with Bulgaria being defined by the course of the Danube. Romania’s coastline is along the Black Sea, incorporating the port of Constanta and the Danube Delta.

Government: Democratic Republic since 1991. Head of State: President Ion Iliescu since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Adrian Nastase since 2001.

Language: Romanian is the official language. Some Hungarian and German are spoken in border areas, while mainly French and some English are spoken by those connected with the tourist industry.

Religion: 83 per cent Romanian Orthodox, with Roman Catholic, Reformed/Lutheran, Unitarian, Muslim and Jewish minorities.

Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in September).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two-pin type.

Communications:

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 40. Outgoing international code: 00. Public telephones are widely available and can be used for direct international calls. Hotels often impose a high service charge for long-distance calls, but usually do not charge for local calls.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800 networks. Network operators include Connex (website: www.connex.ro), Cosmorom (website: www.cosmorom.com) and Orange (website: www.mobil-rom.com).

Internet

Kappa and PC-Net are two of the largest of the 250-odd ISPs. The former has open-air terminals at Strada Paulescu Nicolae 9, Bucharest, while the latter is at Strada Calderon Jean Louis 1-5, Bucharest. Sweet Internet Cafe, Strada Maria Rosetti 7-9, Bucharest (tel: (21) 212 4111) has 24-hour access, as do a couple others of Bucharest’s dozen or so Internet cafes.

Fax

Facilities are available at most large hotels.

Telegram

Facilities at post offices and a night telegram service (2000-0700) is available in Bucharest. Telegrams are an inexpensive and efficient form of international communication from Romania.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes 1 week. Post offices are open daily, including Saturday mornings.

Press

English newspapers and publications include Bucharest Business Week, Nine O’Clock and Romanian Economic Daily. There are a great number of daily and weekly newspapers published in Romanian, Hungarian and German.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Leu (plural Lei) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of Lei500,000, 100,000, 50,000, 10,000 and 2000. Coins are in denominations of Lei1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange: It is recommended that visitors bring hard currency, particularly US Dollars, as this can be easily and even eagerly exchanged by shops, restaurants and hotels. Sterling can be easily exchanged in most resorts. All hard foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and authorised exchange offices. Rates can vary from one place to another, so visitors are advised to shop around for the best rate of exchange. Exchanges on the black market are made frequently, but visitors are advised to exchange money through proper exchange channels and to receive a currency exchange receipt, as certain services require visitors to show the receipt as proof of having made at least one financial transaction. ATMs (bancomat) accepting MasterCard and Visa are becoming more common but should not be relied upon as a sole source of cash.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by large hotels, car hire firms and some restaurants. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Like credit and debit cards, these are usually only useful in hotels and for obtaining cash at the bank or selected exchange offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Euros.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is prohibited (unless in possession of a special licence); the export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited; the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Leu against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 54641.28 57594.10 59546.8 60431.5
$1.00= 34256.70 33939.80 32713.5 33834.3

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (business matters); Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1300-1500 (currency exchange).

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio 1 N/A
Malaria No N/A

1: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe, may cause abdominal upsets; visitors are thus advised to drink bottled water. Romania has currently been experiencing water shortages and visitors may find that tap water is only available during certain hours. This is particularly true around Bucharest and other large towns. Visitors in the mountain areas will find it less of a problem as the water is supplied by local mountain springs, full of natural minerals and very safe. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and tuberculosis occur and hepatitis B is endemic. An anthrax outbreak was reported in the Danube Delta in summer 2000; travellers intending to visit the region are advised to obtain the latest official government advice before departure. Rare West Nile Fever outbreaks have been reported in the southeast. Brucellosis occurs sporadically although risk to the traveller is low. An outbreak of viral meningitis occurred in the northern and eastern areas of the country in 1999; travellers to these areas should seek medical advice before departure. Stray dogs may carry African Typhus disease.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities in Romania are poor and there is a serious shortage of basic medical supplies and qualified personnel. Nationals of countries who do not have a reciprocal health agreement with Romania are expected to pay immediate cash for health services. Health insurance is strongly advised.

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Climate

Summer temperatures are moderated on the coast by sea breezes while inland at sea level it is hot. Winters are coldest in the Carpathian Mountains where there is snow from December through to April. Snow also falls throughout most of the country. Winters are mildest on the coast.

Required clothing: Lightweights are worn in summer on the coast and in low inland areas. Warmer clothes are needed in winter and throughout the year in the uplands. Rainwear is recommended throughout the year.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No/1 Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes No/1 Yes
USA Yes No/1 Yes
OtherEU Yes No/1 Yes
Japanese Yes No/1 Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months after return from Romania required by all with at least one blank page.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovak Republic and Slovenia for stays of up to 30 days;
(b) nationals of Turkey for up to 60 days;
(c) 1. nationals mentioned in the chart above for up to 90 days, except Australia who do require a visa;
(d) nationals of Costa Rica, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Switzerland, Ukraine and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;
(e) nationals of Moldova for an unlimited period;
(f) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport except for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka who always require transit visas.

Special requirements: Nationals of the following need an official notarised invitation from a company or individual in Romania, which may be faxed by the Embassy to the Romanian Passport General Directorate or any of the Romania County Passport Authorities for approval (allow at least 30 days):
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, China (PR), Chad, CIS (except Moldova, Russian Federation and Ukraine), Comoros, Congo (Dem Rep), Congo (Rep), Cte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Dem Rep), Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, So Tom e Prncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen and Zambia (if these nationals are married to Romanian nationals the relevant certificate should be produced).

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £6 (package holiday); £33 (business, conference and family visits or individual tourist). Transit: £25 (single-entry); £33 (double-entry). Multiple-entry: £60 (only granted to business travellers on official assignments) valid for 6 months and not renewable. An additional fee of £7 is charged for each person included in the passport if travelling with the owner.

Note: Multiple-entry visas will not be issued to nationals listed under Special Requirements above, even if the purpose of their visit is for business.

Validity: Single-entry: 6 months from date of issue for stays of up to 90 days. Multiple-entry: 6 months from date of issue for stays of up to 90 days each visit. Transit: 5 days maximum (for both single- and double-entry).

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Applicants for Multiple-entry business visas must apply in their own country.

Application requirements: (a) Passport valid for at least 6 months after visa expires with a blank page to affix visa stamp. (b) One completed application form. (c) One recent passport-size photo. (d) Fee (paid in cash or by postal order only). (e) Postal applications should be accompanied by a registered, self-addressed envelope. (f) Medical Insurance. (g) Proof of financial means in amount of €100 per day or the equivalent value in convertible currency for the entire period of time. Tourist (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from travel agent or a hotel booking in Romania. Business: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter from employer and invitation from company in Romania. Student: (a)-(g) and, (h) Evidence of enrolment on course. Transit: (a)-(g) and, (h) Ticket for onward travel with visa if required.

Note: All nationals are advised to check with the Romanian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any further documentation which might be required.

Working days required: Visas take up to a maximum of 30 days to be issued, depending on type of visa and nationality. Travellers are advised to apply for a visa at least a month in advance.

Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy.

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