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Retiring in Romania

Residency routes, healthcare and pension tax · RON

Routes to residency

Healthcare

Foreign residents in Romania who obtain legal long-term residence can join the public health insurance system administered by the National Health Insurance House (CNAS). For non-EU retirees/residents, access is generally tied to registering with CNAS and paying contributions (for employees this is automatic via payroll; non-employed residents, including retirees, can make a voluntary CNAS contribution). EU/EEA nationals can also use the EHIC for emergency care during the early period before CNAS registration. Non-EU nationals applying for the long-stay (Type D) visa and residence permit must additionally show proof of private medical insurance, and may be required to register with CNAS once resident status is granted.

Sources indicate CNAS contributions generally need to have been paid for about 6 months before cover becomes fully active for non-employed/voluntary contributors; newly arrived residents without an employment contract typically rely on private insurance during this period.

Private health insurance is a condition of residency in Romania.

Non-EU nationals must show private medical insurance with a minimum of about €30,000 in coverage (including hospitalization, emergency treatment and repatriation) to obtain the long-stay (Type D) visa and residence permit; this requirement applies regardless of eventual CNAS enrollment. Voluntary CNAS contributions for non-employed adults are reported at roughly €15/month equivalent (around 2,430 RON/year) in recent sources.

US Medicare: US Medicare generally does not cover medical care received in Romania; Medicare coverage is limited almost exclusively to the United States and its territories, with only very narrow exceptions (e.g., certain emergency situations near the US-Canada/Mexico border). Retirees relying on Medicare should expect no coverage for care obtained in Romania.

Pension income tax

Romania taxes foreign pension income of its residents.

Romania taxes its tax residents on worldwide income, including foreign-source pensions, subject to the terms of any applicable double tax agreement (DTA). Romania's National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) has clarified that where a DTA applies, the treaty determines which country has the primary right to tax the pension and whether a credit/exemption applies in Romania.

There is a US income tax treaty with Romania.

An income tax treaty between the United States and Romania has been in force since the 1970s (text published by the IRS). Secondary sources indicate that under the treaty, US Social Security benefits paid to a Romanian resident are generally not taxed by Romania, and government pensions covered by the treaty are typically taxable only in the paying (US) country, while private pensions may still be subject to Romanian tax depending on classification; readers should consult the treaty text and a qualified tax professional for their specific pension type.

Sources: International Health Insurance for Expatriates in Romania (CNAS eligibility) · Romania – Health Service - Expat Focus · Student Health Insurance Romania — CNAS Guide & Costs (2026) · Romanian Healthcare Guide for Expats: Insurance, Doctors & Registration (2025) · Romania Tax Agency Clarifies Individual Income Taxation of Residents' Foreign Pension Income Under DTAs · SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ROMANIA DOUBLE TAXATION: TAXES ON INCOME (IRS treaty text) · What Americans Living in Romania Need to Know in 2025

Checked Oct 2026

Customs & etiquette

• Greetings and Formality — Initial greetings in Romania tend to be formal and reserved; a firm handshake with direct eye contact is standard regardless of gender. Common verbal greetings are 'Buna ziua' (good day) for elders or formal settings and the more casual 'Buna' or 'Salut' among younger people. Once a relationship is established, cheek kisses (usually two) become common among friends and family.
• Home Visits and Hosting — Romanians enjoy hosting guests at home for birthdays, holidays, and casual get-togethers, and visits are usually arranged in advance. Hosts take pride in providing food and drink fully, so guests are not expected to bring their own refreshments, and hosts may offer coffee, tea, brandy, or wine. It is customary to remove your shoes upon entering someone's home.
• Dining Etiquette — At the table, keep your hands visible (resting forearms on the table) rather than in your lap, and use continental style with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right. When a host says 'Pofta buna' (good appetite), it is a signal you may begin eating. Trying and complimenting each dish served is appreciated, as Romanians take pride in their cooking.
• Gift Giving — When invited to someone's home, it's customary to bring a small gift such as high-quality liquor, candy, flowers, or something for the children if present. For professional service providers like doctors, direct cash tips can be seen as rude; instead, a gift is the more appropriate gesture of appreciation.
• Dress and Public Behavior — Dressing neatly and somewhat conservatively is expected, especially in professional settings, where it signals respect for the people you are meeting. Older Romanians in particular tend to dress more conservatively, keeping shoulders and legs covered. Public displays of affection should be kept modest, and loud behavior in public spaces such as transit is discouraged.
• Visiting Orthodox Churches and Monasteries — Romania is a traditional and religious country, and its Orthodox churches and monasteries are active places of worship, not just tourist sites. Visitors should dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs, keep their voices low, and behave respectfully as these are living sanctuaries. In some churches, men traditionally stand on the right side and women on the left, though visitors are generally not expected to strictly follow this.

Religion

Romanian Orthodox 85.3% · Roman Catholic 4.5% · Reformed 3% · Pentecostal 2.5% · other 4.7%

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Reference information compiled from the sources cited above and reviewed by hand. Immigration, healthcare and tax rules change and are applied at the authorities' discretion — confirm with the consulate, an immigration adviser or a tax adviser before making plans. Nothing here is tax or immigration advice.

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