Labor market
Anyone who wants to work in Romania as an EU citizen or Swiss citizen does not need a work permit. However, you are obliged to report your name of residence to the Romanian authorities (competent registration office or police station).
Since more and more German companies are settling in Romania, it is sometimes possible to find work without a good knowledge of Romanian. According to countryvv, the minimum wage is 2,230 lei (approx. 466 euros) for an average full-time employment of 167.33 hours.
Salary figures 3/2020
Finance: RON 2,047 – RON 5,141
Insurance: RON 1,865 – RON 5,741
Information & communication: RON 1,436 – RON 4,284
Civil servants + military service: RON 1,727 – RON 3,755
Education: RON 1,492 – RON 3,826
Industry: RON 1,439 – RON 3,775
Health care: RON 1,325 – RON 4,238
Construction: RON 2,013 – RON 5,280
Trade: RON 1,554 – RON 4,180
Agriculture: RON 1,211 – RON 3,821
Hotel industry: RON 1,280 – RON 4,244
Transport: RON 1,645 – RON 4,666
Average total: RON 3,176
Cost of living
The cost of living for staple foods is significantly lower than in Western Europe. Imported goods, on the other hand, are more expensive.
In Bucharest you need around € 1,983.51 to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin at € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Bucharest are 40.58% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Bucharest are 46.39% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Bucharest are 59.06% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Bucharest are 35.77% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Bucharest are 39.95% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Bucharest is 46.81% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Bucharest (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 7.10 | 5.07-12.17 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 30.43 | 20.29-60.87 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 1.62 | 1.00-2.43 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 2.43 | 1.42-3.26 |
| cappuccino | 2.07 | 1.01-3.04 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.30 | 0.81 – 2.03 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.24 | 1.01-2.03 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.06 | 0.73-1.42 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.65 | 0.24 – 1.22 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.09 | 0.61-1.62 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.20 | 1.22-3.14 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 5.28 | 3.45-8.12 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 4.49 | 2.84-5.28 |
| Beef (1kg) or other red meat | 7.03 | 4.67-10.14 |
| Apples (1kg) | 0.93 | 0.61-1.42 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.19 | 0.81-1.83 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.10 | 0.61 – 2.03 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 1.24 | 0.61 – 2.03 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.55 | 0.20 – 1.01 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.58 | 0.36 – 1.01 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.55 | 0.41-0.81 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.54 | 0.41-0.81 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 5.07 | 3.04-8.12 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.79 | 0.61-1.22 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.29 | 0.81 – 2.03 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Bucharest (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.30 | 0.26-0.51 |
| Monthly pass | 14.20 | 10.14-15.22 |
| Taxi base amount | 0.41 | 0.39-0.61 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.41 | 0.37-0.61 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 101.31 | 66.33-156.78 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.09 | 0.01-0.20 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 8.28 | 6.09-14.20 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 57.18 | 24.35-91.30 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 32.85 | 16.23-60.87 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 63.07 | 40.58-81.16 |
| Leather business shoes | 75.85 | 50.72 – 121.73 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 36.19 | 24.35-81.16 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 14.18 | 7.10-20.29 |
| a movie ticket | 6.09 | 5.07-9.13 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 338.90 | 223.18-507.23 |
| International primary school per year and child | 7,486.80 | 4,504.17-15,216.77 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Bucharest (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 404.68 | 304.34-608.67 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 277.93 | 223.18-375.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 751.10 | 600.00 – 1,014.45 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 483.82 | 365.20-710.12 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 1,852.21 | 1,400.00 – 2,921.62 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 1,146.42 | 950.00 – 1,500.00 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 737.27 | – |
The rental prices vary greatly between the country and the city. It is often cheaper in cities outside the capital.
Emigration and Living in Romania
The country offers a wide range of opportunities and development opportunities for skilled workers. Other jobs are also abundant, but often poorly paid. Romania is a very good destination for nature lovers. Further advantages: easy immigration, low cost of living (LHK-I 52.1).
In the area around Deva (consisting of wooded hills, small mountains, with numerous springs and valleys crossed by crystal clear waters) you can hike or bike for hours, have a picnic – simply enjoy nature and pure freedom. Nobody feels bothered by free camping, swimming and barbecuing. No stress, no hectic rush, lots of free time, just being able to be human and enjoying life corresponds to the way of life of many Romanian citizens.
