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TRAVEL REPORT
Romania

1. RECENT UPDATES

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 flu virus.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Romania

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Romania do not experience problems.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Pick-pocketing, purse snatching, and mugging occur, especially in Bucharest and other urban centres. Be especially vigilant in crowded areas, such as buses, trains, and busy streets.

Organized groups of thieves, which may include children, operate in train stations, subways, and buses in urban areas. Thefts have occurred on overnight trains, including from closed compartments.

Scams

Credit card and automated bank machine (ABM) card fraud occurs. Pay careful attention when cards are being handled by others during payment processing. It is preferable to use ABMs located inside financial institutions or large hotels rather than on the street.

Demonstrations

Canadians should avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations as they can turn violent without notice. Visitors should also follow the advice of the local authorities at all times.

General Safety Information

Travellers must have identification readily available. A photocopy of your passport is acceptable.

Do not show signs of affluence and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Visitors should avoid travelling alone in a taxi to remote areas.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for police.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Romanian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of Romania and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Romania. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into the country.

Visitor Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Student Visa: Required

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Romania, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom and Ireland), along with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders.

The external land, air, and sea border controls of nine countries that joined the EU in 2004 (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia) have been removed. Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus are not yet part of the Schengen area.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period), but some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit longer than 90 days, Canadians must either obtain a long-stay national visa or have been outside the Schengen Area for at least 90 consecutive days before re-entering.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Romania - BUCHAREST, Embassy of Canada
Address: 1-3 Tuberozelor Street, 011411 Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania
Postal Address: P.O. Box 270, Post Office No. 2, Bucharest, Romania,
Tel.: (4) 021-307-5000
Fax: (4) 021-307-5010
E-Mail: bucst@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Romania.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Standards of medical care differ from those in Canada. The Embassy of Canada in Bucharest can provide a list of local medical contacts upon request.

A rabies vaccination is recommended, as there are numerous stray dogs in and around Bucharest, and attacks on pedestrians and joggers are common.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Romania are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Romania to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Romanian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Homosexual activity is not widely accepted in Romanian society.

There are harsh penalties for engaging in sexual acts with a minor (the age of consent is 18). In addition, Canadians may be prosecuted at home for sexually exploiting children while abroad. Please see our publication Child Sex Tourism: It's a Crime for further information on the risks of committing this form of sexual abuse abroad.

Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

Photography of military installations or government buildings may result in a penalty. Travellers should seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and possible jail time, and driving licences may be confiscated immediately.

Apart from major city streets and intercity highways, many roads are in disrepair, poorly lit, narrow, and without marked lanes. Driving after dark outside of major cities is not recommended due to unsafe conditions, including the presence of horse-drawn carts without lights and wandering livestock.

Traffic laws are strict. Local authorities carry out frequent road checks. Canadians must carry vehicle registration and proof of insurance. For emergency roadside assistance and information, call the Romanian Auto Club at (021) 222-22-22.

All drivers must purchase a highway permit (“vignette”) in order to drive in Romania. These vignettes can be purchased at border points, post offices, and large gas stations.

Canadian driving licences are valid in Romania for stays up to 90 days.

Trains

Thefts and assaults have occurred on overnight trains. It is recommended that travellers do not leave their compartment unattended and ensure the door is secured from the inside.

Taxis

Travellers should only use licensed, metered taxis that display their price lists.

Air Travel

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The economy is primarily cash-based. The currency is the new leu (RON). U.S. dollars and traveller's cheques can be exchanged only in recognized establishments, such as exchange shops, banks, and hotels. Euros are more easily exchanged. Carry crisp bills, as well-worn or used banknotes may not be accepted.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major urban centres. Most retailers use personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. ABMs are widely available in major cities and increasingly in smaller towns.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Romania is located in a seismic zone. Regions in the south and southwest may be more prone to seismic activity.

Extreme temperatures, in both summer and winter, may cause electricity outages.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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