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.
Bringing Pets to Romania
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
Plus their crosses. Under Legea 205/2004 these breeds require a special ownership permit, must be muzzled in public, require third-party liability insurance, and the owner must provide a clean criminal record certificate (cazier judiciar).
💰 Costs
Microchip: 50–150 RON. Rabies vaccination: 40–80 RON. EU Pet Passport: 80–150 RON from a registered vet. Non-EU Animal Health Certificate (endorsed by an official veterinarian within 10 days of travel): 150–300 RON. Airline pet fees: €50–150 in cabin, €150–400 in cargo hold depending on destination.
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
Romania has no nationwide annual dog tax. Some municipalities (primării) operate a voluntary registration fee of roughly 10–30 RON, mainly to fund local stray-dog programmes. Dangerous breeds under Legea 205/2004 do require owner registration with the local police station and mandatory third-party liability insurance.
Registration with a vet is voluntary but strongly recommended. Find licensed veterinarians via CMVRO (Colegiul Medicilor Veterinari din România) at cmvro.ro. Bucharest 24-hour emergency vet clinics include Vet Expert, Vetlife, and BluePet. A routine annual check-up with vaccinations costs 150–300 RON.
📋 Relocation Process
1. Microchip your pet with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip. 2. Rabies vaccination (must be given AFTER microchip, minimum 21 days before travel, pet at least 12 weeks old). 3. From EU countries: travel with the EU Pet Passport — no further paperwork needed. 4. From non-EU countries: obtain an EU Animal Health Certificate from an official veterinarian within 10 days of entry; dogs must also receive tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus) 24–120 hours before travel. 5. No quarantine is required for compliant pets entering Romania.
Romania is broadly pet-friendly in urban areas. Most parks allow dogs on a lead; many restaurants in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara have outdoor pet-friendly terraces. Dogs travel free on most public transport if carried in a bag or on a short lead with muzzle. Stray dogs remain an issue in some rural areas and smaller towns — always supervise your pet outdoors. Owners must clean up after their dogs: fines range from 200–2,000 RON depending on municipality.