Packing list for Romania, travel insurance for Romania and taking your belongings

What to take to Romania: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU. A visa might be necessary if you come from a country outside of the EU, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON). You can withdraw cash without problems in most cities, but in smaller villages or mountain areas, cash is handy.
• Clothing: bring clothing that suits the season. Summers can be hot, while winters are cold, especially in the Carpathians. A layering system is ideal if you visit both cities and the mountains.
• Shoes: comfortable sneakers are fine for cities like Bucharest, Brașov, or Sibiu. For hikes in the Carpathians, sturdy hiking boots with good grip are best.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor is recommended, especially during mountain hikes or by the Black Sea.
• Packing and protection: a raincoat or compact umbrella and a rain cover for your backpack are handy during hiking holidays. Insects and animals: mosquito repellent for the summer, especially along the Danube, in the Danube Delta, and around lakes. A tick remover if you frequently walk through forests or grasslands.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a small first-aid kit with plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, ORS, and personal medication.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, and a daypack. If you are heading into the mountains, also bring a paper map or offline navigation.
• Technology and equipment: a universal plug for type C and F sockets. 

To consider:

• Walking sticks for the Carpathians.
• Swimwear for the Black Sea or thermal baths.
• A sleeping bag liner for mountain huts (cabană) or camping.
• Binoculars for the Danube Delta, one of the most important bird areas in Europe.
• A headlamp for caves or multi-day hikes. Knowledge of how to act if you encounter a brown bear in the Carpathians.

Are there mosquitoes in Romania?

• Yes, mosquitoes are common during the warmer months, especially in the Danube Delta, along rivers, lakes, and marshlands.
• For most travelers, they are mainly annoying. Mosquitoes in Romania can transmit the West Nile Virus, but the risk is small.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Romania?

• Yes, but only in some areas, and generally, apart from irritation, they do not cause health problems for travelers.
• An insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine and protective clothing also offer good protection against sandflies.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other insect repellents, in Romania?

• Yes, DEET, picaridine, and other insect repellents are easily available in cities at pharmacies, drugstores, and larger supermarkets.
• If you are going to the Danube Delta or camping, it is wise to always have a bottle with you.
• More about DEET anti-mosquito repellent.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Romania, or bring it to Romania?

• Cannabis may be cultivated in Romania, but this is purely for scientific purposes and for products such as fibers, seeds, and oil. Cannabis is absolutely illegal for recreational use in Romania. Possession, use, and trade for recreational purposes can lead to fines or criminal prosecution.
• General cannabis products containing THC are also prohibited on the market, such as cannabis oil, flower, or dietary supplements.
• Cannabis for medical use is permitted under strict conditions, in the form of pharmaceutical products.
• Bringing cannabis into Romania is also strictly prohibited and is considered international drug smuggling, even if you come from a country where cannabis is (partially) legal.