Just arrived in Romania

Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

Welcome to Romania! The moment you step out of the airport, the clock starts ticking on several critical administrative tasks. While it is natural to want to explore your new surroundings, your absolute first priority must be securing your legal status. Your entry visa (Type D) is only a temporary bridge; you must immediately begin the process of obtaining your temporary residence permit from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). Simultaneously, setting up your practical life—such as getting a local phone number, finding permanent housing, and opening a bank account—will form the foundation of your new daily routine.

1Immediate Priority

Registering for a temporary residence permit with IGI must be done within the legal timeframe (usually before the Type D visa expires).
Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

2Practical First Tasks

Getting a local SIM card, opening a bank account (requires CNP or residency document), and finding temporary accommodation. Operator details are in the table below.

3Important Address Note

Your residential address must be registered on your residency documents; any change of address must be reported to IGI. Accepted proof-of-address documents are listed in the table below.

4IGI Appointment Booking

Applying for a residence permit requires an appointment at the local IGI branch; these slots fill up quickly, so act early.
Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

5Emergency Healthcare

How to access emergency medical services in the first days (before CASS insurance). See Health & CNAS.

6Emergency Contacts

Romanian emergency number (112) and Iranian consulate access. Embassy of Iran & Mikhak

Romanian Mobile Operators & Prepaid SIM Cards

Romania has four active mobile operators: Orange Romania, Vodafone Romania, Telekom Romania (Telekom Mobile), and Digi Mobil (legal entity RCS&RDS). As a foreigner, buying a prepaid SIM generally only requires showing your passport — no CNP or residency document needed.

Operator	Approx. Starting Prepaid Price
Orange Romania	€3 (150GB at 5G speed) or €5 (unlimited 5G+ data)
Vodafone Romania	We could not confirm this operator's current bundled data plans from its official site — check vodafone.ro directly for exact current pricing.
Telekom Romania	€5 ("Mobil Nelimitat 5" package, unlimited data)
Digi Mobil	€2.5/month (100GB) or €5/month (unlimited data)

Source: official Orange pages and tariff brochure (January 2026), Telekom.ro, and Gadget.ro coverage of Digi Mobil's prepaid relaunch — last checked: September 2026. These figures change quickly; always confirm on the operator's own site before buying.

⚠️ Contrary to what you may have heard, mandatory ID registration for prepaid SIM buyers was never actually enforced in Romania (two legislative attempts, in 2014 and 2019, were both struck down by Romania's Constitutional Court). Most retailers still ask for your passport as their own store policy, though — so bring it along. Full details in the Telecom Guide.

Documents IGI Accepts as Proof of Address

Per IGI's own official document ("dovada spațiului de locuit" — proof of housing), one of the following is accepted as address proof on a residency application:

#	Document Type	Note
1	Property sale contract	If you own the property
2	Rental agreement	If the landlord is a natural person, must be registered with the local tax authority (Administrația Financiară)
3	Comodatum (free-loan) contract	Free use of a property with the owner's permission
4	Court decision	For disputed or special legal situations
5	Notarized hosting declaration	From the property owner, plus their proof of ownership; can only be issued before a Romanian public notary
6	Mayor's certificate	Rural areas only, from the local agricultural registry office

Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

First 72 Hours Guide

1Arrival Day

Clearing customs and border control, getting the entry stamp, and ensuring passport details are correctly processed.

2Urgent Tasks

Purchasing a local SIM card for communication, and locating the nearest IGI branch for your upcoming residency steps.

3Safety Note

Keep copies of your identity documents stored separately from the originals.

4Airport Transfer

Common transfer options from Otopeni (OTP) airport to the city center include official taxis, express buses, and trains.
Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

5Day 1 Essentials

Local SIM card, basic accommodation supplies, water, and ready-to-eat food for the first hours.

6Initial Orientation

Locating the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, and public transit stop to your temporary accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start working immediately after I arrive?

Only if you arrived on a specific work visa with a pre-approved work permit; students and family members have different working rights.

What happens if my visa expires before I get my residence card?

As long as you have officially submitted your residence permit application to IGI before your visa expires, your legal stay is automatically extended until a decision is made.

This guide is part of the "Start Here" collection.

View all guides in Start Here

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