Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Most trips to Romania focus on Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu and the painted monasteries of Bukovina. These areas draw steady tourist traffic and have the usual city-level risks. Pickpocketing and distraction scams turn up around Bucharest's Gara de Nord station, on busy trams, and near the Old Town bars at night. Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara feel calmer but still reward basic street awareness. The Carpathian mountains cover central Romania and bring their own set of problems. Brown bears are active near Brasov, Bran and along the Transfagarasan road. Local authorities issue RO-Alert warnings when bears enter villages. Hikers should stick to marked trails, carry a whistle, and never stop to photograph wildlife from the roadside. Winter storms can close high passes with little warning. The Black Sea coast around Constanta and Mamaia is busiest in July and August. Rip currents and strong offshore winds catch swimmers out every summer. The Danube Delta is remote, with limited mobile coverage and few medical facilities once past Tulcea. Border areas with Ukraine and Moldova see occasional military activity linked to the war next door. And debris from drones has landed on Romanian soil more than once since 2023.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last refreshed its Romania page on 18 February 2026. The update focused on the European Entry-Exit System and how it affects UK passport holders crossing into Romania. The official advisory guidance does not set a numeric level but asks travellers to read the full guide before going. No regions are currently flagged for extra caution, and there is no ordered departure in place. The official advisory guidance reissued its Romania advisory on 14 October 2025 at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest of the four US levels. The official advisory guidance highlights road traffic risk, seismic activity around Bucharest, and common urban crime rather than any political or security threat. Both governments keep Romania in their routine-travel tier, which has held steady through the recent regional tensions linked to the Ukraine conflict next door.
What travellers should know
Driving is the biggest practical risk. Romania has the highest per-vehicle road death rate in the EU. Rural roads mix lorries, horse carts, cyclists and stray dogs, and overtaking on blind bends is common. The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is zero. Hire cars should have full insurance, and night driving outside cities is best avoided where possible. Carry a card and some cash, since smaller towns and rural guesthouses may not take contactless. ATM skimming has been reported, so use machines inside banks where you can. Keep your passport with you, as spot checks happen on trains near the borders. Cannabis and CBD products are illegal, including items legally bought elsewhere in Europe. Medical care is good in Bucharest and Cluj but thinner in rural counties, so travel insurance with repatriation cover is worth the money. The RO-Alert system sends emergency texts in Romanian and English and is worth leaving switched on.