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Romania · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Romania

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

Romania has an accessible, relatively affordable rental market, with Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Iasi being the main hubs for incoming nomads. Most long-term apartments are listed on local classifieds portals (Imobiliare.ro, OLX.ro, Storia.ro) by a mix of private owners and agencies, while a growing mid-term/serviced segment (Flatio, Blueground) caters specifically to remote workers wanting furnished, flexible stays. The standard long-term contract runs 12 months, with a deposit of one to two months' rent and, where an agency is involved, a finder's fee usually equal to about one month's rent. Furnished apartments are common and preferred by foreigners. Romanian residential leases are governed by the Civil Code and Law 114/1996; tenants can exit even a fixed-term lease on 60 days' written notice. A practical friction point is that a registered lease (the landlord files Form C168 with the tax authority ANAF within 30 days) is the document foreigners need both for residence-permit applications and for the local address registration ("viza de flotant"), and some landlords are reluctant to declare contracts.

The rental basics

Typical lease
1 year
Deposit
2 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished common
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Required

Agency fee: When a real-estate agency is used, the tenant typically pays a finder's commission equal to roughly one month's rent. Many listings on portals like OLX and Imobiliare.ro are posted directly by owners, in which case no agency fee applies. Budget for two to three months' rent in total upfront (first month, deposit and any agency fee).

Address registration

Address registration applies on two levels. First, foreigners must register with the Immigration Office (IGI) when applying for a residence permit, which requires proof of legal possession of the dwelling at the declared address (a lease, owner's statement or property deed, in original and copy). Second, anyone living more than 15 days at an address other than their official domicile registers that address as a temporary residence known as "viza de flotant" (residence registration), a sticker added to the ID, valid up to 12 months and renewable. A lease that the landlord has declared to the tax authority (ANAF Form C168, due within 30 days of signing) is generally the document needed to support these steps.

Your rights as a tenant

Residential tenancies are governed by the Civil Code's general and special leasing rules supplemented by Law 114/1996. Under Civil Code Article 1825 a tenant may unilaterally terminate even a fixed-term residential lease with at least 60 days' written notice, and any clause restricting this right is void. However, the framework leans landlord-friendly on economics: there is no statutory deposit-protection scheme (deposits are held privately by the landlord) and no statutory caps on rent increases, so terms are largely set by negotiation in the contract.

Good to know

  • Standard long-term contracts are 12 months; the large majority of landlords use fixed-term leases.
  • Deposits are modest (commonly one to two months' rent; legal maximum is three) and total upfront costs are typically two to three months' rent including any agency fee.
  • Furnished apartments are widely available and are the usual choice for foreigners; a mid-term/serviced segment (Flatio, Blueground) suits nomads.
  • Tenants can exit even a fixed-term lease on 60 days' written notice under Civil Code Article 1825, and any clause restricting this right is void.

Watch out for

  • A lease declared to the tax authority (ANAF Form C168, filed by the owner within 30 days of signing) is needed for residence-permit and address-registration steps, and some landlords are reluctant to register contracts formally.
  • There is no statutory deposit-protection scheme: deposits are held directly by the landlord, so document the property's condition at move-in.
  • No statutory caps on rent increases; indexation and increase terms depend entirely on what is negotiated in the contract.
  • Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) are usually billed on top of rent and arranged by the tenant unless a furnished/serviced rental states otherwise.

Where to look

Imobiliare.roOLX.roStoria.roFlatio (mid-term/furnished)Blueground (serviced/furnished)

Platforms are listed for orientation only — we don't endorse or rank them.

Renting in Romania: FAQ

Renting in Romania: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Romania?

Landlords typically ask for around 2 months of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (when a real-estate agency is used, the tenant typically pays a finder's commission equal to roughly one month's rent. many listings on portals like olx and imobiliare.ro are posted directly by owners, in which case no agency fee applies. budget for two to three months' rent in total upfront (first month, deposit and any agency fee).). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Romania?

Yes — Address registration applies on two levels. First, foreigners must register with the Immigration Office (IGI) when applying for a residence permit, which requires proof of legal possession of the dwelling at the declared address (a lease, owner's statement or property deed, in original and copy). Second, anyone living more than 15 days at an address other than their official domicile registers that address as a temporary residence known as "viza de flotant" (residence registration), a sticker added to the ID, valid up to 12 months and renewable. A lease that the landlord has declared to the tax authority (ANAF Form C168, due within 30 days of signing) is generally the document needed to support these steps.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Romania?

Furnished common and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on Imobiliare.ro, OLX.ro, Storia.ro.

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