Is Romania in Schengen? Entry Requirements
Yes. Romania is a full member of the Schengen Area: it joined for air and sea travel on 31 March 2024 and for land borders on 1 January 2025. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel with a valid national ID card or passport, and many other nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. For ideas on what to see once you arrive, read our Discover Romania guide.
Below we explain which documents you need depending on your nationality and what changes when you cross to neighbouring countries. Entry rules can change, so always check the official sources listed at the end before you travel.
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Key facts
- Romania has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025 (air and sea since 31 March 2024).
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter with a valid national ID card or passport; no visa is needed.
- Many non-EU nationalities (such as the UK, US, Canada or Australia) can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
- Days spent in Romania now count towards the Schengen 90/180 limit, together with the rest of the Schengen Area.
- Romania is in the EU but not in the eurozone: the currency is the Romanian leu (RON).
What Does Schengen Mean for Your Trip?
Since Romania joined Schengen, there are no routine passport checks when you arrive from another Schengen country, whether by plane, by road or by train. You still need to carry a valid identity document, as airlines, hotels and the authorities can ask for it, and temporary border checks can be reintroduced at any time.
| Traveller | Document | Visa |
|---|---|---|
| EU, EEA and Swiss citizens | Valid national ID card or passport | Not needed |
| UK, US, Canada, Australia and other visa-exempt countries | Valid passport | Not needed for stays of up to 90 days in 180 |
| Other nationalities | Valid passport | A Schengen visa may be required: check before booking |
EU Citizens: Is an ID Card Enough?
Yes. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, a valid national identity card is enough to enter and travel around Romania, just as a passport is. Make sure it is valid for the whole trip and in good condition.
If you travel with children, check the documents they need in your own country before departure: each minor needs their own valid ID, and some situations (for example, travelling with only one parent) may require extra paperwork.
Tours from Bucharest, Including Across the Border
A private panoramic tour of Bucharest to start your trip, a day trip to Bulgaria (also in Schengen) and a day in the Republic of Moldova, outside Schengen, from Iași. Check the documents each tour requires.
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Viator
Panoramic Tour of Bucharest (Private City Tour)
A private panoramic city tour of Bucharest by car: the Palace of the Parliament, the Arc de Triomphe and the capital’s main boulevards.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest
A full-day trip from Bucharest across the Danube into Bulgaria, with historic towns such as Veliko Tarnovo. Bring your passport or ID card.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Day Trip to the Republic of Moldova: Chișinău and Cricova Winery
A private full-day tour from Iași to Chișinău, Moldova’s capital, and the famous underground cellars of Cricova. Bring your passport: the tour crosses the border.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Non-EU Travellers: The 90/180 Rule, EES and ETIAS
Visa-exempt travellers can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Since 2025, days spent in Romania count towards that limit together with the rest of Schengen, so plan multi-country trips carefully.
Two EU systems affect non-EU visitors. The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers your fingerprints and photo when you cross the external Schengen border, replacing passport stamps. The ETIAS travel authorisation is planned for visa-exempt travellers: check the official EU website for its current status before you book.
Crossing to Bulgaria, Moldova and Other Neighbours
Romania’s neighbours are not all in Schengen, so the rules depend on where you are going:
- Bulgaria and Hungary: also in Schengen, so there are no routine border checks. Carry your ID anyway.
- Moldova, Ukraine and Serbia: outside Schengen, with border controls. Check which documents each country accepts before you go.
- If you join a day trip abroad, ask the operator which document you need and bring it on the day.
Other Documents and Practical Tips
Besides your passport or ID card, it is worth preparing:
- Health cover: EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); travel insurance is recommended for everyone.
- Driving licence: EU licences are valid in Romania. If yours was issued elsewhere, check whether you need an international permit. National roads require a road vignette (rovinietă).
- Money: the currency is the leu (RON). Cards are widely accepted in cities; carry some cash for small places.
- To choose when to go, see our guide to the best time to visit Romania, and for the route, things to do in Transylvania.
Where to Check the Official Requirements
Entry rules can change, especially for non-EU travellers. Before you travel, check:
- The travel advice of your own country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian Border Police.
- The official EU websites for Schengen, EES and ETIAS.
Is Romania in Schengen? FAQ
Is Romania in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Romania joined Schengen for air and sea borders on 31 March 2024 and became a full member on 1 January 2025, when land border checks were also lifted.
Can EU citizens travel to Romania with an ID card?
Yes. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter with a valid national ID card or a passport. No visa is needed.
Do I need a visa for Romania?
Not if you are an EU citizen or from a visa-exempt country such as the UK, US, Canada or Australia, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180. Other nationalities may need a Schengen visa: check before booking.
Does time in Romania count towards the Schengen 90 days?
Yes. Since Romania joined Schengen, days spent there count towards the 90/180 limit together with the rest of the Schengen Area.
Do I need my passport to go to Bulgaria from Romania?
Bulgaria is also in Schengen, so there are no routine border checks, but you must still carry a valid ID card or passport.
Does Romania use the euro?
No. Romania is in the EU but uses the Romanian leu (RON). Cards are widely accepted in cities.
