Study in Romania: Student Visa, Universities, Costs & Scholarships (2026)

Romania study visa snapshot (2026)

Why study in Romania?

Romania combines the lowest living costs in the EU with degrees that are automatically recognised across all 27 member states. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Iași host modern universities with English-taught programmes in medicine, engineering, business and IT — often at tuition rates far below Western Europe.

For Asian students pursuing medicine or dentistry, Romania is a proven pathway. English-language medical programmes at institutions like Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iuliu Hațieganu University and Ovidius University have graduated thousands of international doctors who practise across Europe and beyond.

• Fastest EU student visa processing — typically 2–4 weeks when documents are complete.
• Living costs around €500 per month — among the lowest anywhere in the European Union.
• Full EU degree recognition under the Bologna Process — practise medicine, engineering or business across Europe without additional accreditation.
• English-taught medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary programmes with transparent admission criteria.
• No blocked account requirement — simpler financial proof than Germany or the Netherlands.
• Growing Indian, Filipino and Nepali student communities with in-person support through WorkersFromAsia offices.

Romania student visa for Asian students

International students from outside the EU need a long-stay visa (Type D / national visa for studies) issued by a Romanian embassy or consulate before travelling. This is separate from your university admission — you must hold both.

Romania's visa processing is among the fastest in Europe. Asian applicants from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh typically receive decisions within two to four weeks when financial documents and admission letters are complete and consistent.

After arriving in Romania, you must apply for a residence permit (permis de ședere) at the General Inspectorate for Immigration within 30 days. Your university's international office usually assists with this step.

Romania student visa requirements (2026)

Romanian immigration officers assess genuine study intent, financial capacity and document completeness. Weak or unexplained financial proof is the most common reason for delays — not academic qualifications.

• Official admission letter from a recognised Romanian university confirming enrolment and programme duration.
• Proof of funds: typically €500 per month for living costs plus tuition for the academic year — bank statements, education loans or scholarship letters.
• Valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended stay.
• Health insurance valid in Romania for the full study period.
• Language proficiency: IELTS 6.0+ for English-taught programmes; Romanian language certificate for programmes taught in Romanian.
• Accommodation proof — university dormitory confirmation or rental contract.
• Police clearance certificate from your home country.
• Medical certificate confirming you are fit to study (required for medicine programmes).
• Visa application form, passport photos and visa fee (approximately €100–120).
• For medicine programmes: high school transcripts with biology, chemistry and physics; some universities require an entrance exam.

Romania student visa application process

1. 1

   Secure admission from a Romanian university

   Apply to programmes at Carol Davila, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara or other recognised institutions. For medicine, prepare high school science transcripts and check whether an entrance exam is required.

2. 2

   Gather financial proof

   Prepare evidence of €500 per month living funds plus tuition. Bank statements covering three to six months with stable balances are standard. Education loans and scholarship letters are accepted.

3. 3

   Arrange health insurance

   Purchase international student health insurance valid in Romania. Some universities include insurance in tuition packages for international students.

4. 4

   Book embassy appointment

   Contact the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country. India, the Philippines and Vietnam have dedicated Romanian diplomatic missions. Book early for September intake.

5. 5

   Submit visa application

   Bring passport, admission letter, financial documents, insurance, police clearance, medical certificate and completed application form. Pay visa fee and provide biometrics if required.

6. 6

   Travel and obtain residence permit

   Collect your visa, travel to Romania and apply for your residence permit within 30 days of arrival at the General Inspectorate for Immigration with university support.

Romania student visa processing time for Asian applicants

English-taught medicine in Romania

Romania's English-language medical programmes are the country's strongest draw for Asian students. Degrees are fully recognised across the EU, allowing graduates to apply for medical licensing in Germany, France, the UK and other member states after meeting local registration requirements.

Programmes typically last six years for medicine and five to six years for dentistry. Clinical training takes place in university hospitals with modern facilities. Tuition ranges from €5,000 to €7,000 per year — a fraction of private medical schools in the UK or USA.

Admission generally requires a high school diploma with strong grades in biology, chemistry and physics. Some universities conduct entrance exams in biology and chemistry; others admit based on high school transcripts alone.

• Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Bucharest) — oldest and most prestigious medical school in Romania.
• Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Cluj-Napoca) — large English programme with strong clinical training.
• Victor Babeș University of Medicine (Timișoara) — affordable tuition with modern campus facilities.
• Ovidius University (Constanța) — coastal city with English medicine and dentistry programmes.
• Grigore T. Popa University (Iași) — established English-taught medical faculty in eastern Romania.

Top universities in Romania for international students

Popular courses to study in Romania

Cost to study in Romania: tuition by level

Cost of living in Romania for international students

EU degree recognition from Romania

Degrees from accredited Romanian universities are fully recognised across the European Union under the Bologna Process and Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. This means a Romanian medical degree allows you to apply for medical licensing in Germany, France, Italy and other EU states after completing any local adaptation requirements.

For engineering, business and IT graduates, Romanian qualifications are accepted for employment and further study throughout Europe without additional accreditation. The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) maps Romanian degrees to standard EU levels.

This EU recognition is one of Romania's strongest advantages over non-EU destinations — your investment in a Romanian degree opens doors across an entire continent.

Scholarships to study in Romania

While Romania has fewer large government scholarships than Germany or Sweden, several funding routes exist for Asian students — particularly through bilateral agreements and university merit awards.

• Romanian government scholarships — annual programme for non-EU nationals covering tuition, accommodation and monthly stipend; competitive but fully funded.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees — Romanian universities participate in EU programmes with full tuition waivers and monthly stipends.
• University merit scholarships — automatic tuition reductions for high GPA applicants at Babeș-Bolyai, University of Bucharest and Politehnica Bucharest.
• Bilateral cultural agreements — scholarship exchanges between Romania and India, Vietnam and other Asian partner countries.
• VLIR and DAAD partnerships — some Romanian institutions collaborate with European funding bodies for joint research and study grants.

Work while studying and after graduation

International students in Romania may work part-time without a separate work permit, provided they hold a valid student residence permit. There is no strict hourly cap, but employment must not interfere with your studies.

After graduation, non-EU students can apply for a job-seeker residence permit to search for employment in Romania. Once employed, transition to a work permit. Romanian work experience combined with an EU-recognised degree strengthens applications for the EU Blue Card and employment across Europe.

Medicine graduates can begin residency training in Romania or apply for licensing in other EU countries, making Romania a strategic entry point for Asian students targeting European medical careers.