Romania (RO)
Romania is the largest country in Southeastern Europe — a full Schengen EU member state blessed with the dramatic Carpathian mountains, medieval Saxon towns like Sibiu and Brasov, the legendary Transylvania region, a booming technology sector, and one of the lowest costs of living in the European Union.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Romania.
CNP + Cartea Electronică de Identitate (CEI) / ROeID
CNP (Cod Numeric Personal) is the 13-digit personal code assigned at birth or registration and used for everything — from banking to healthcare. The new Cartea Electronică de Identitate (rolling out from 2022, full deployment targeted by 2031) includes a chip with a qualified digital certificate. ROeID — the upcoming national digital identity scheme compliant with EU eIDAS2 — targets 2026 for wider rollout.
How to get it: CNP is issued automatically on registration of birth or first residence permit for foreigners. Cartea Electronică de Identitate is issued at the local Serviciu Public Comunitar de Evidență a Persoanelor (SPCLEP); fee ~70 RON, valid 10 years. For ROeID, enrol via hub.gov.ro once your county is live. Qualified digital signatures for legal documents are available from certSIGN or Alfasign (~150-350 RON/year).
E-Government Portal
https://hub.gov.roRomanian e-government has accelerated since 2022 but municipal digitisation remains uneven — many city-hall services still require an in-person visit. SPV and Ghișeul.ro are the two most useful portals day-to-day; the e-Factura system became mandatory for B2B transactions in 2024.
Essential Apps
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Imobiliare.ro
FreeRomania's leading real estate portal for apartment and house rentals in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and all cities.
Ghișeul.ro
FreePay local taxes, traffic fines, court fees and school fees online. Official national payment portal.
SPV (Spațiul Privat Virtual)
FreeANAF tax portal — file declarations, view tax record, get e-Factura, communicate with ANAF.
George (BCR)
FreeTop-rated Romanian banking app from BCR, English interface.
BT Pay
FreeBanca Transilvania mobile wallet and banking — payments, transfers, Apple/Google Pay integration.
Revolut
FreeMulti-currency card, FX at interbank rates, Romanian IBAN available.
Home'Bank (ING)
FreeING Romania banking app, highly rated by expats.
Bolt
FreeDominant ride-hailing and food-delivery app (Bolt Food) in Romania; also scooters in big cities.
Uber
FreeWidely available ride-hailing in Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara and other major cities.
Free Now
FreeAlternative ride-hailing app, taxis and private drivers.
Glovo / Tazz / Bolt Food
FreeFood and grocery delivery — Glovo and Tazz by eMAG are the biggest; Bolt Food growing.
eMAG
FreeRomania's largest online retailer — electronics, home, fashion, groceries.
Mega Image / Carrefour / Kaufland / Lidl Plus
FreeSupermarket loyalty apps with weekly deals, coupons and digital receipts.
STB Info / Info Metrou
FreeBucharest public-transport apps — buses, trams, trolleys (STB) and metro (Metrorex).
24pay / PayByFace
FreeParking payment apps, accepted across major Romanian cities; PayByFace uses facial recognition in partner lots.
Dominant messaging app in Romania; friends, family, many businesses and landlords use it.
Waze
FreeHeavily used for navigation and real-time traffic in Romanian cities.
SGR
FreeSistemul de Garanție-Returnare — scan PET/can deposits for refund at participating shops.
An NFC-capable phone is helpful for the Cartea Electronică de Identitate and ROeID once fully rolled out. Most payment terminals accept contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay; cash is still expected at local piețe and rural shops. English-language support is good in banking and ride-hailing apps; government portals are primarily in Romanian.