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.
Learning the Language in Romania
Courses, certifications, funding, and online resources to reach fluency.
Romanian (limba română) is a Romance language with Latin roots, spoken by approximately 24 million native speakers worldwide. Unlike most Western European countries, Romania has no mandatory integration course system — all state-sponsored language provision is voluntary. Romanian is noticeably easier for speakers of Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese thanks to shared Latin vocabulary and grammar patterns; newcomers from Slavic or non-Indo-European backgrounds will work harder, especially on the three-case noun system and the postposed definite article. English is increasingly common in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Iași, particularly in IT, business, and younger generations — but making even basic conversational effort in Romanian is very warmly received and remains essential for integration, securing long-term residence, and for the B1 language attestation required for citizenship. Expect to reach A2 in 4–6 months of consistent study and B1 (the citizenship threshold) in 10–14 months.
No mandatory integration course — voluntary Romanian language provision
Romania does not operate a compulsory integration course. Romanian language study is voluntary for nearly all residents — EU citizens, non-EU residence permit holders, and even applicants for long-term residence. The main exception is humanitarian/refugee status beneficiaries, for whom Ministry of Education and UNHCR partners fund subsidised courses via the Institutul Limbii Române. Citizenship applicants must independently demonstrate B1 Romanian by producing a valid TRL certificate or university attestation — but the pathway to that level is left to the applicant.
Voluntary pathway costs vary widely. University-delivered intensive semester courses at Universitatea din București, Babeș-Bolyai (Cluj-Napoca), and Alexandru Ioan Cuza (Iași) typically run 400–800 EUR per semester. Private group courses at schools such as Rolang or A_BEST cost 200–500 RON/month for 4–8 hours per week. Refugees referred by UNHCR or the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) may access fully funded courses through the Institutul Limbii Române or partnered NGOs. There is no nationwide subsidy scheme for voluntary learners.
Typical intensive university semester: 120–180 contact hours spread over 14 weeks. Private school group tracks: 60–100 hours to reach A2, 160–220 hours to reach B1. One-to-one tuition can compress this timeline significantly. Self-paced online learners generally need 10–14 months of daily practice to reach B1.
University programmes typically conclude with an institutional attestat de competență lingvistică at the achieved level (A2, B1, B2). Private schools issue a certificat de participare. The most widely accepted independent qualification is the TRL (Testul de limba română ca limbă străină), administered by the Institutul Limbii Române under the Ministry of Education — this is the credential accepted by the Romanian authorities for citizenship applications at B1 and for several professional licence recognitions.
For university programmes: apply via the international office of the relevant university (cursuri de limba română pentru străini). For private schools: contact Rolang (rolang.ro), A_BEST, Cactus Language, or Language Academy Bucharest directly. Refugees should contact the IGI, UNHCR Romania, or the Romanian National Council for Refugees (CNRR) to be referred into state-funded provision. Most private schools accept walk-in enrolment; most universities require registration 4–6 weeks before the semester start.
University-based Romanian for Foreigners (Cursuri de limba română pentru străini)
The semester-based Romanian for Foreigners programme is offered by major state universities — principally Universitatea din București (Departamentul de Limba Română ca Limbă Străină), Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași. These intensive programmes provide structured Romanian language instruction across levels A1 through C1, combined with Romanian culture, history and civic orientation modules. Graduates typically sit the TRL at the relevant level. Specialist tracks exist for medical personnel (preparing foreign-trained doctors for Colegiul Medicilor Romanian exams), business Romanian, and preparatory courses for foreign students entering Romanian-language degree programmes.
Open to any non-native speaker of Romanian aged 18+. No residence permit or prior Romanian study is required to register — these courses are commonly taken by newly arrived expats, scholarship holders, international students on preparatory year (Anul Pregătitor), and spouses/family members of Romanian citizens. The Anul Pregătitor programme, partly funded by the Ministry of Education for scholarship holders, is specifically designed to bring international students to B2 Romanian within one academic year before they begin their Romanian-language degree.
Fees vary by institution and level of intensity. Typical semester (14 weeks) costs 400–800 EUR; summer intensive courses (3–4 weeks) cost 300–600 EUR. The state-funded Anul Pregătitor is free for holders of a Romanian state scholarship (burse MAE) — these are competitive and allocated primarily to students from Moldova, the Balkans, and developing countries via bilateral agreements. Self-funded Anul Pregătitor costs approximately 2,430 EUR for the full academic year. Most private employers will not pay for these programmes, but some multinationals with Romanian operations offer language benefits — worth asking HR.
Apply directly via the international office of each university. For Universitatea din București, use unibuc.ro/international. For Babeș-Bolyai, use ubbcluj.ro. For Alexandru Ioan Cuza, use uaic.ro. Provide passport, prior language qualification if any, and proof of funds or scholarship. Applications typically open 3–4 months before semester start. There is no central portal — you apply to each institution individually.
Language Levels — What Each Means
Introductory level. Can introduce yourself, say where you live, handle greetings, order food, read signs, ask basic questions. Understand simple written text (menus, timetables, signs).
Required for: No specific legal requirement. Typical level after 60–100 hours of structured study. Sufficient for navigating daily life with English or another bridge language still dominant.
Elementary. Can handle routine transactions — doctor appointments, shopping, opening utility accounts in Romanian. Can describe your background and family. Understands clearly-spoken everyday speech on familiar topics.
Required for: Internal benchmark for many Romanian-for-foreigners programmes. Minimum level at which most Romanians will comfortably conduct a full interaction in Romanian with you rather than switching to English.
Threshold level. Can handle most day-to-day interactions without falling back on English. Can describe experiences, events, hopes, opinions. Can read moderately complex texts such as news articles, tenancy contracts, basic official letters.
Required for: REQUIRED for Romanian citizenship by naturalisation (Legea 21/1991). Often a soft requirement for customer-facing roles in Romanian companies. Commonly the level at which expats stop needing to rely on interpretation help.
Upper intermediate. Can interact fluently with native speakers, follow TV discussions, read specialist text in your own field. Can give detailed descriptions and defend a viewpoint. Starting level for professional employment conducted in Romanian.
Required for: Minimum for most professional licence recognitions (medicine, law, architecture, pharmacy). Required for Anul Pregătitor completion before starting a Romanian-language university degree. Expected level for full integration into Romanian professional life.
Advanced. Near-full command for academic, professional and complex social contexts. Can understand implicit meaning, use the language flexibly. Can produce well-structured written text.
Required for: Medical specialisation entry exams, senior academic positions, judicial interpreter registration, and some teaching roles. Not commonly required of general expats but relevant for Romanian-track career development.
Mastery/near-native. Can express yourself spontaneously, fluently and precisely in all contexts. Effective language for translation and literary work.
Required for: Authorised translator certification (Ministerul Justiției), academic and editorial careers, senior legal and diplomatic roles.
Courses & Community Learning
Rolang School of Romanian Language
200–500 RON/month for group classes (~8 hrs/month); 80–150 RON/hour for private tuitionLong-established Bucharest private school specialising entirely in Romanian for foreigners. Offers group classes A1–C1, private one-to-one lessons, corporate language training for expat employees, and intensive holiday courses. Known for experienced native-speaker teachers and flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Online instruction via Zoom has expanded the reach country-wide since 2020.
www.rolang.ro ↗A_BEST Language Centre
220–450 RON/month for group courses; 90–130 RON/hour privateNational chain of language schools with branches in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Iași. Offers Romanian for foreigners at all levels, including specialised business Romanian and medical Romanian tracks. Also provides TRL exam preparation. Strong reputation for corporate group training — many multinationals use A_BEST for expat staff onboarding.
www.abest.ro ↗Cactus Language Training
250–500 RON/month group; 100–160 RON/hour privateBucharest-based private language centre offering Romanian for expats, executive language coaching, and survival Romanian courses for short-term assignees. Smaller class sizes than the large schools. Good choice for working professionals who need scheduling flexibility.
Language Academy Bucharest
280–520 RON/month; 95–140 RON/hour privatePrivate school serving the expat community in Bucharest with a focus on conversational and practical Romanian. Offers small-group classes, pair courses, and 1-to-1 tuition with immediate-start availability year-round. Frequently recommended within Bucharest expat Facebook communities.
Institutul Limbii Române (ILR) — courses via university partners
Free for refugees / international protection holders; not available to general public directlyThe Romanian Language Institute, under the Ministry of Education, accredits Romanian-for-foreigners provision and runs the official TRL examination. It also partners with UNHCR and the IGI to fund free Romanian courses for refugees and beneficiaries of international protection. Not a direct course provider to the general public — routing into its funded programmes usually goes via social services or an NGO referral.
www.ilr.ro ↗Tandem Language Exchange (app and Meetup groups)
FreeFree language exchange partnerships with Romanians learning your native language (English, French, German, Spanish are most common). Use the Tandem or HelloTalk app to find partners, or attend in-person meetups organised via Meetup Bucharest Language Exchange, Cluj Polyglot Club, and similar groups in Timișoara and Iași. Highly effective for speaking fluency once you have A1/A2 basics.
www.tandem.net ↗Official Certifications
| Certificate | Provider | Levels | When Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRL (Testul de limba română ca limbă străină) | Institutul Limbii Române (Romanian Language Institute, Ministry of Education) | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 | B1 is required for Romanian citizenship applications under Law 21/1991. B2 is commonly required for professional licence recognition (medicine, law, pharmacy, architecture) administered by the relevant professional body. Universities that teach in Romanian require B1 or B2 for non-native applicants. Accepted by all Romanian authorities as the authoritative Romanian-language proficiency certificate. | 300–500 RON per test session, depending on level and test centre |
| University attestation (Atestat de competență lingvistică) | Universitatea din București, Babeș-Bolyai University, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University | A1–C2 (CEFR-aligned) | Accepted by Romanian authorities in most contexts, including citizenship applications and long-term residence. Particularly common for those who complete the Anul Pregătitor or a Romanian-for-foreigners semester programme at one of these universities. Not always recognised outside Romania in the way TRL is. | Included in semester tuition (400–800 EUR/semester); standalone attestation exams ~200–350 RON |
| DELIR (Diplomă de Limbă Română) | University of Bucharest — legacy credential, partly superseded by TRL | Intermediate, Advanced | Historical credential still held by some long-term residents. New applicants are generally routed to the TRL instead. Accepted by Romanian authorities but less commonly issued after the TRL framework was adopted. | When still offered, ~350 RON |
| CEFR-aligned private school certificates | Rolang, A_BEST, Cactus Language | A1–C1 | Useful for employer HR records and as evidence of study, but not accepted by Romanian state authorities for citizenship or residence decisions. Treat these as internal progression markers and plan to sit the TRL when you need an officially recognised certificate. | 150–400 RON per exam depending on school and level |
Online Resources
Duolingo Romanian
FreeFull Romanian course free in the Duolingo app, covering A1–B1 vocabulary and grammar through gamified lessons. Excellent for building habit and core vocabulary in your first 3–6 months. Not sufficient alone beyond A2 — pair with listening and speaking practice.
www.duolingo.com ↗RomanianPod101
PaidExtensive podcast-style audio library with accompanying PDFs, A1 through upper intermediate. Particularly strong for pronunciation and listening comprehension. Free content is generous; paid subscription unlocks full lesson archive and flashcard tools.
www.romanianpod101.com ↗MyRomanian podcast
FreeFree independent podcast aimed at adult learners, hosted by native-speaker teachers. Strong focus on natural spoken Romanian, idiomatic expressions and cultural context. Episodes are organised by level from absolute beginner to advanced.
Mango Languages (via public libraries)
FreeStructured Romanian course available free through many municipal and university library memberships in Europe and North America — check if your local library subscribes before paying. Good for solid grammar foundations at A1–A2.
mangolanguages.com ↗italki
PaidOne-to-one online lessons with Romanian tutors and community teachers. Community teachers 10–20 USD/hour; qualified tutors 20–35 USD/hour. The fastest way to build speaking confidence — weekly 60-minute sessions over 6 months typically move a motivated learner from A1 to B1.
www.italki.com ↗Preply
PaidAlternative marketplace for one-to-one Romanian tutors, often slightly cheaper than italki for community teachers. Includes trial lessons and refund guarantees. Useful second option if you cannot find availability on italki at your preferred time.
preply.com ↗Ling App
PaidMobile app with 60+ languages including Romanian, focused on vocabulary and common phrases. Useful supplement for commute-time practice. Level coverage is stronger at A1/A2 than intermediate.
Pro TV / Antena 1 with subtitles (free online)
FreeRomanian free-to-air networks stream most shows on protv.ro and a1.ro with Romanian subtitles. Daily news programmes (Știrile ProTV, Observator) are particularly valuable once you reach A2+ — the language is clear, structured and repeats key vocabulary daily. Watching 20 minutes a day accelerates listening skills dramatically.
Funding Your Language Courses
Romania does not operate a centralised language-learning subsidy scheme. Funding pathways are narrower but real: (1) Holders of international protection, refugees, and stateless persons can access free Romanian courses via the Institutul Limbii Române, UNHCR Romania, and partner NGOs (CNRR, JRS Romania) — route in through the IGI or a social worker. (2) Romanian state scholarships (Burse MAE/MFA) fund the Anul Pregătitor for selected students from specific countries, covering tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend. (3) ANOFM (the National Agency for Employment) occasionally funds vocational language training for unemployed residents, especially EU workers under EURES-linked programmes — availability varies locally and is worth asking your county AJOFM office. (4) Many employers — particularly multinationals in Bucharest and Cluj — treat Romanian language tuition as a standard expat benefit; ask HR during onboarding. (5) The EU Blue Card Directive requirements sometimes trigger employer-funded language support. (6) Tax deductibility: under Art. 72 of the Fiscal Code, freelancers (PFA) can deduct professionally relevant language training against taxable income — keep invoices.
Practical Tips
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Lean on your Latin roots if you speak Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese — the core vocabulary overlap is 70–80% and accelerates the first few months dramatically.
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Expect the three-case noun system (nominative/accusative, genitive/dative, vocative) to be your main grammar challenge — budget dedicated time rather than hoping to absorb it passively.
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Romanian attaches the definite article as a suffix (omul = the man), which is unusual among Romance languages — drill this pattern early with flashcards.
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Watch 15–20 minutes of Romanian daily news (Știrile ProTV, Observator Antena 1) with Romanian subtitles from A2 onward — the language is clear, newsreaders articulate, and vocabulary recycles.
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Romanian TV channels stream most programming free on protv.ro and a1.ro — no subscription needed.
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Join the Bucharest Language Exchange, Cluj Polyglot Club, or similar Meetup groups — one evening per week of conversation moves you forward faster than an extra textbook.
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Do not confuse Romanian (Romance) with Russian or Slavic languages — it frustrates Romanians when visitors assume they are related.
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Aim for B1 within 12–14 months of arrival if citizenship is a goal — the TRL test window is generous but apply early to the Institutul Limbii Române as slots fill.
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Drink in café and restaurant menus for vocabulary — they are free text and you repeat them weekly.
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Use italki or Preply for 1–2 hours of speaking practice per week with a native tutor from month 2 onward — speaking lags most without deliberate practice.
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Sign up for the Ministry of Culture's Romanian Language Day (31 August) events — free cultural activities where Romanians actively welcome learners.
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Certificates do not expire, but Romanian authorities typically prefer language evidence dated within 3 years for citizenship files.
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