Romania attracts migrants with fairly moderate prices and picturesque landscapes. This country is one of the most comfortable places to live. Learn more about prices for food, utilities and apartment rentals

Health insurance is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Romania is one of the most attractive destinations for expats looking for a cheap but comfortable place to live. Bucharest is ranked 155th out of 226 cities in the world in the cost of living ranking compiled by the international company Mercer in 2024.

In fact, Romania is one of the best countries in Europe for digital nomads. Internet speeds here are among the fastest in the world, and the country has a digital nomad visa.

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

How much does it cost to live in Romania in 2024 - we will tell you further in the article.

We talked about the rules for entering Romania in 2024, as well as convenient routes for travelling by car from Ukraine to Romania in previous materials.

Renting a house in Romania

Living in rural areas and small towns such as Pitesti, Cluj-Napoca, and Iasi is cheaper than living in a metropolis.

Bucharest is much more expensive than any of the country's regions, but as it has the most opportunities and infrastructure, most expats settle in the capital.

While rents can be high, they are nowhere near the prices you'd find in London or other major Western European cities.

In smaller towns in Romania, the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is usually between €250 and €350 per month. Two-bedroom apartments in such cities can be rented for between €350 and €500 per month. These prices are averages and may vary depending on the condition of the property, its location and other factors.

The situation in the country's capital, Bucharest, is significantly different. Here, rental prices are traditionally higher. A one-bedroom apartment in Bucharest can be rented for between 350 and 600 euros per month. The cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in the capital ranges from 450 to 800 euros per month. Again, these prices may vary depending on the area of the city and the quality of the accommodation.

It is worth noting that old apartment blocks and those in need of repair are quite common in Romania. Therefore, most expatriate families prefer to rent accommodation in new buildings.

Where to look for accommodation in Romania?

There are several popular websites for finding accommodation for rent in Romania:

- Imobiliare.ro;

- OLX.ro;

- Storia.ro;

- Anuntul.ro.

For a successful move and avoidance of troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. The lawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

Prices for utilities in Romania

As for utilities, their cost in Romania in 2024 has also undergone some changes. On average, the cost of utilities for a small apartment ranges from 100 to 200 euros per month. This amount includes electricity, heating, water, garbage collection and other basic services. It is worth noting that in winter, due to the need for heating, this amount may be higher.

It is important to understand that these prices are indicative and may vary depending on many factors, including seasonality, the economic situation in the country and a particular region. Prospective tenants are advised to carefully research the market and compare offers before deciding to rent a property in Romania.

Internet, television, mobile communications

Internet services in Romania remain among the most affordable in Europe. The average cost of a high-speed fibre optic internet connection is between €8 and €15 per month. Many providers offer packages with speeds of 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. Advanced packages, which include premium channels and HD content, can cost between 15 and 30 euros.

Mobile communications in Romania offer a variety of tariff plans. Basic packages with sufficient internet traffic, minutes of calls and SMS cost between EUR 5 and 10 per month.

It is worth noting that many providers offer bundled packages that include internet, TV and mobile. Such bundled solutions often prove to be more cost-effective for consumers, with prices ranging from EUR 25 to EUR 50 per month depending on the service package.

Romania's economy is driven by local businesses as well as international start-ups. You can find out whether foreigners can work in Romania and what is the employment procedure here.

Prices in Romania: the cost of food

For a family of three, the monthly food costs in Romania in 2024 are on average 350 to 500 euros. This amount includes a basic set of products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products and cereals.

Prices for basic products in 2024:

● bread - €1.5-2;

● a litre of milk - €1-1.5;

● a dozen eggs - 2-3 euros;

● 1 kg of chicken fillet - 5-7 euros;

● 1 kg of apples - 1-2 euros;

● 1 kg of potatoes - about 0.8-1.2 euros;

● 1 kg of rice - 2-3 euros.

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Cafes and restaurants in Romania

When it comes to dining out, prices also depend on the type of restaurant and its location. On average, a dinner for one person in an inexpensive restaurant will cost 10-15 euros.

In a more refined establishment, the price can range from 20 to 50 euros per person. A set meal for two in a mid-range restaurant will cost around 40-60 euros, including drinks.

Travelling costs

In Bucharest, the capital of Romania, the cost of a one-way bus, trolleybus or tram ride is around €0.5 - €0.7. A metro ticket costs around €0.7 to €0.9. Many cities offer daily, weekly and monthly passes, which allow you to save money when using public transport regularly.

As of 2024, the average cost of petrol is approximately €1.5 per litre. Diesel fuel is slightly cheaper at around €1.2 to €1.4 per litre. Prices may vary slightly depending on the region and the particular petrol station.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal driving in Romania. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

For more informationon compulsory car insurance in Romania, as well as on the technical inspection of cars with Ukrainian registration, please follow the links.

Medical services

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

Despite the availability of medical services, all Romanian residents are required to have private health insurance.

Take care of your health while travelling to Europe with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

Cost of living in Romania in 2024: budget per month

In general, the cost of living in Romania in 2024 remains relatively affordable compared to many other countries in the European Union, but there is a tendency for prices to gradually rise, especially in large cities and tourist centres.

For a comfortable life for a family of three, the required amount is about 2,500-3,000 euros per month.

Remember. When planning a car trip to or through Romania, it is important to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the traffic rules in the country in order to avoid road accidents and fines. Read about the main traffic rules in Romania and fines for their violation here.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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