Have you thought of Romania as a destination to retire or live in? It has everything you need from being extremely safe, a vibrant lifestyle, great food, and above all heaps of activities to keep you busy But there are a few things you should know before venturing into Romania.
These are the common questions you may have about the Cost of Living in Romania:
- Is it good to live in Romania?
- How much money do you need to live in Romania?
- How much do homes cost in Romania?
- Can a foreigner buy a house in Romania?
- Is food cheap in Romania?
- What language do they speak in Romania?
- Is Romania a safe country to live in?
Let’s answer each of these questions and find out if Romania is the place that you were looking to retire.
Is it good to live in Romania?
Romania is an excellent destination to live in with a very good quality of life and a low cost of living. Its great natural beauty and heaps of attractions to visit are why many expats and retirees have been drawn to living there.
The people are very nice and friendly, especially with foreigners. Which has attracted the attention of expats wanting to live abroad. In recent years, Romania has become one of the main destinations for music and art festivals in Europe. This added to its rich cultural heritage makes it an interesting and wonderful place to live.
How much money do you need to live in Romania?
To live in Romania you will need at least $1,030 USD per month to cover your expenses. This is an approximation of what you can spend monthly depending on your lifestyle. On average, prices in Romania are 58% cheaper compared to the United States. Most of this spending will be on rent and groceries.
Here is an example of common monthly expenses for 2 people living in Romania:
| MONTHLY EXPENSES | COST |
| Rent for a 3 Bedroom Apartment | $ 860 USD |
| Rent for a 1 Bedroom Flat | $ 485 USD |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water) | $ 120 USD |
| Internet | $ 10 USD |
| Groceries | $ 300 USD |
| Dining Out x 2 | $ 35 USD |
| Fitness / Social Club Membership x 2 | $ 80 USD |
| Total (1 Bed) | $ 1030 USD |
| Total (3 Bed) | $ 1405 USD |
NOTE: These rental prices were for the center of town in the capital city of Bucharest and can be much cheaper the further you go out of town and to smaller towns.
How much do homes cost in Romania?
Property prices in Romania vary depending on the type of property, location, and other details. But on average, the price per square meter to buy an apartment in city center Bucharest is around $2,210 USD and outside of center $1,320 USD. This may also vary or decrease in smaller cities or other locations outside the capital.
Here are some real estates to look at in Romania and check prices:
You can also go to facebook marketplace to look for something cheaper. You will need to change your filter to the city you want to look at in Romania and then click on Property Rentals or House Sales. Remember prices will be in local currency (LEI – Romanian leu).
Can a foreigner buy a house in Romania?
Yes and No is the short answer to this question. Any citizen belonging to the European Union (EU) has the same benefits as a Romanian citizen of buying a property. People outside the EU do not have the same rights. In the case of any non-EU foreigner, they must have a residence permit in Romania or have a business visa to buy property.
Is food cheap in Romania?
Food in Romania is relatively cheaper than in the rest of Europe. In fact, food prices in Romania are 54% cheaper than in the United States. This is something that you really have to take into consideration and it is one of the main reasons why some expats have decided to live in Romania.
Here you will find a small list with the prices of some basic groceries:
| Item | Per | Price |
| Milk | 1 Liter | $ 1.31 USD |
| Bread | 1 Loaf | $ 1.05 USD |
| Eggs | 10 pack | $ 1.41 USD |
| Beef Mince | 1 kg / 2.2 lbs | $ 7.03 USD |
| Chicken Breast | 1 kg / 2.2 lbs | $ 1.99 USD |
| Butter | 200 g / 0.5 lbs | $ 2.36 USD |
| Scotch | 1 Liter / 1 quart | $ 17.86 USD |
| Beer | 6 pack | $ 4.90 USD |
NOTE: these prices were only valid at the making of this article and check the grocery websites below for current pricing.
Here are some websites of grocery stores for you to look at:
What language do they speak in Romania?
The official language of Romania is Romanian spoken by almost the entire population. It is estimated that only 40% of the population speaks or understands English. So having a basic knowledge of the local language will help you integrate and enjoy your day-to-day life. If you want to learn the language you can download the DuoLingo App on your phone available in iTunes and Google Play or you can use it on your computer with the web browser. Use this for a few months and get a couple of levels up doing at least 2 to 3 lessons a day or more.
Is Romania a safe country to live in?
In fact, Romania is one of the safest countries in Europe. It currently ranks 25th on the Global Peace Index. Many expats and retirees living in Romania feel very secure about the quality of life that the country offers. Although Romania is a safe country, you always have to be vigilant like in any other city in the world, especially of pickpockets who are one of the least impact risks in the country but are present in large cities such as Bucharest and some crowded tourist places.
