Romania attracts expats with its affordable prices and beautiful scenery. It is also one of the most comfortable places to live. Learn more about food prices, utilities and transportation, as well as a monthly budget.

From January 1, 2025, Romania will become a full member of the Schengen area. From now on, you will not need any documents or border control to travel to an EU country. The permitted period of stay in the country will be 90 days, and it will also be easier for EU citizens to obtain a residence permit here.

Thanks to this, Romania has every chance of becoming a promising destination for digital nomads, pensioners, travelers and other categories of expats. An important component of life in a new country is its cost.

We will tell you about prices in Romania in 2024 and 2025 below.

Is it expensive to live in Romania?

Romania is one of the most attractive destinations for expats looking for a cheap but comfortable place to live. Bucharest ranks 155th out of 226 cities in the world in the cost of living ranking compiled by the international company Mercer in 2024. The Romanian capital is more affordable than Budapest and Prague, but more expensive than Sofia (Bulgaria) and Belgrade (Serbia).

Living in rural areas and small cities such as Pitesti, Cluj-Napoca and Iași is cheaper than in the metropolis.

Bucharest is significantly more expensive than any other region in the country, but since it has the most opportunities and infrastructure, most expats settle in the capital.

*The official currency of Romania is the Romanian leu, but for ease of comparison, prices in this article are given in euros.

A family of two should expect to spend around €1,700 per month living in the larger cities of Romania. This includes rent, utilities, food and some entertainment. For those living in smaller towns or rural areas, the costs will be lower.

Prices for renting real estate in Romania

Prices for renting real estate in Romania are much lower than those you can find in London, Paris, Amsterdam or other large cities in Western Europe.

A one-room apartment in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Sibiu or other large cities will cost from 350 to 500€ per month. The cost of renting a two-room apartment in the capital varies between 450 and 800€ per month.

In small cities in Romania, the cost of renting a one-room apartment is usually from 250 to 350€ per month. Two-room apartments can be rented here for a price of 350 to 500€ per month.

It is worth noting that in Romania there are quite often old apartment buildings and those that need renovation. Therefore, most expat families prefer to rent housing in new buildings.

Utility costs in Romania

Utilities are usually not included in the rent, so you will have to pay extra. Intretinere, which translates as “maintenance”, includes electricity, garbage collection, water, heating and a fund for minor repairs.

On average, expect to pay around €130 per month for utilities. Also, costs will directly depend on the time of year and can be as low as €30/month in summer and €220/month in winter.

Internet services in Romania remain among the most affordable in Europe. The average cost of high-speed fiber internet is between €8 and €15 per month. Many providers offer packages with speeds up to 1 Gbps at competitive prices.

Television is often offered as a bundle with internet services. Basic cable TV packages cost between €5 and €10 per month.

Mobile communications in Romania offer a variety of tariff plans. Basic packages with sufficient internet traffic, minutes of talk and SMS cost from 5 to 10 euros per month.

Food prices in Romania

A family of three should expect to spend between 350 and 500 euros on food per month. This amount includes a basic set of products, including fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products and cereals.

Romanians usually buy their food in supermarkets. There are also open markets with fresh fruit and vegetables, but prices can be higher there.

The average prices for basic products are as follows: bread – 1.5-2 euros, milk (1 l) – 1-1.5 euros, eggs (10 pieces) – 2-3 euros, chicken fillet (1 kg) – 5-7 euros, apple (1 kg) – 1-2 euros, potatoes (1 kg) – about 0.8-1.2 euros, rice (1 kg) – 2-3 euros.

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In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

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Cost of eating out and entertainment in Romania

A dinner for two in a fancy restaurant in Romania can cost between €50 and €100. For this money you will get a starter, main course and dessert, as well as a bottle of wine and one bottle of water.

Pizza costs around €10, as do pasta or pork dishes in a mid-range restaurant. Chicken dishes are a little cheaper. Beef is the most expensive, the price can range from €15 to €30 per dish. Fast food – €6-7.

A movie ticket – €4.5. A monthly membership to a fitness club – €30. One of the advantages of Romania is that the country has many opportunities for outdoor sports.

Prices for transport in Romania

Romanian public transport is inexpensive, with a wide range of routes, including buses, trains and taxis.

In Bucharest, the capital of Romania, a single trip on a bus, trolleybus or tram costs around 0.5 - 0.7 euros. A metro ticket costs around 0.7 - 0.9 euros. Many cities offer daily, weekly and monthly passes, which can save you money if you use public transport regularly.

However, please note that public transport is quite slow and can be crowded during peak hours.

As of 2024, the average cost of petrol is around 1.5 euros per litre. Diesel is slightly cheaper - around 1.2 - 1.4 euros per litre. Prices may vary slightly depending on the region and the specific gas station.

Healthcare Costs in Romania

Expats working in Romania have free access to public healthcare. Treatment in private institutions requires additional costs, but they are still lower than in many European countries, as well as in the USA.

Despite the availability of healthcare services, all residents of Romania need to have private health insurance.

Romania is a popular destination for expats to move to, because the country offers foreigners good career prospects, a developed social sphere, and a high quality of life for quite reasonable costs.

Let's remind you! Romania has become part of the European Schengen area of ​​free movement. Such changes have simplified travel to countries for millions of travelers. We have already told you why tourists should visit Romania in 2025.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

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