Bucharest: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Bucharest has about 1.7 million residents and is Romania's largest city and economic centre. It is home to IT and outsourcing, banks, manufacturing and trade. Romania fully joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2025, and the city remains one of the most affordable European Union capitals to live in.

Who it suits: tech professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers and families who want the European Union at moderate cost. Who it does not suit: those looking for a quiet green city without traffic.

Districts: where newcomers settle

• Floreasca, Dorobanți and Primăverii - the upmarket north by parks and lakes.
• Pipera and Aviației - tech company offices and new residential complexes.
• The Old Town - bars and restaurants, noisy at night.
• Cotroceni - a quiet green area near the centre.
• Titan and Drumul Taberei - residential areas with parks, noticeably cheaper.

Cost of living

• One-bedroom flat - roughly €450-700 a month, about $510-790, more in the north.
• Groceries and cafés - among the most affordable in the European Union.
• Transport - metro and buses are cheap, and ride-hailing is inexpensive.
• Utilities - rise in winter because of heating.

Practicalities: transport, climate, language, money

• Transport. Five metro lines, buses and trams, heavy rush-hour traffic.
• Climate. Continental: hot summers up to +35, cold winters below zero.
• Language. Romanian; English is common in offices and among young people.
• Money. Romanian leu; cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Moving and legal status

• Digital nomad visa - income from 27,576 lei a month, about €5,400; more in Romania nomad visa.
• Employment - a work permit and residence through the employer, the EU Blue Card for specialists.
• Business - residence for company owners who meet investment and job requirements.
• Descent - descendants of Romanian citizens down to great-grandchildren can restore citizenship, with Romanian at B1 required since 2025; more in Romanian citizenship by descent.

Taxes: income tax 10%, dividends 16% from 2026, VAT 21% from 1 August 2025; more in Romanian taxes.

Work and business

• Where foreigners work - software, outsourcing centres, finance and manufacturing.
• Micro-enterprise - 1% of turnover up to €100,000 a year with at least one employee.
• Corporate tax - 16%, dividends 16% from 2026.
• Contributions - the main burden is on salaries: the employee pays pension and health contributions.

Family: schools and healthcare

• Schools - state schools are free in Romanian; international schools are mainly in the north of the city.
• Healthcare - public care through insurance; private clinic chains are well developed and inexpensive.
• A city for children - large lakeside parks, and the Carpathians are 2-3 hours away.

First steps and everyday details

1. Registration and residence - after entry on a visa or under nomad status.
2. Tax number and bank account - for renting, work and contracts.
3. Earthquake risk - Bucharest is in a seismic zone, and old high-risk buildings carry red plaques. Check the building's age and status before renting.
4. Safety - the city is generally calm; watch for stray dogs on the outskirts and avoid taxis not booked through an app.

The city and weekends

• The Palace of the Parliament - one of the largest administrative buildings in the world, with guided tours inside.
• Lakeside parks in the north - the main summer leisure spots.
• The Romanian Athenaeum - a concert hall with a strong classical programme.
• The Carpathians - Brașov and Sinaia 2-3 hours away, with ski resorts in winter.
• The Black Sea - Constanța and resorts 2-3 hours by motorway.

Connectivity, internet and banks

• Internet - among the fastest and cheapest in Europe, with fibre in almost every building.
• Mobile - inexpensive plans, and a SIM card is issued against a passport.
• Banks - an account is opened after registration and getting a tax number, with mandatory source-of-funds checks.
• Cash - rarely needed, but handy at markets and small shops.

Is it worth living here

Bucharest is an affordable entry to the European Union and Schengen with a developed IT scene, fast internet and low business taxes. The downsides are traffic, the seismic risk of old buildings and hot summers. Moving makes sense for professionals and entrepreneurs, and for descendants of Romanian citizens who can restore citizenship.