π° Cost of Studying in Romania 2026: Tuition, Living Expenses & Budgeting Tips
Romania is one of the most affordable study destinations in the EU β but 'affordable' means different things to different families. Here is an honest, city-by-city cost breakdown for 2026.
The Big Picture: Annual Cost Estimates
| Scenario | Tuition/Year | Living/Year | Total/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine (Bucharest, dorm) | β¬8,500 | β¬5,400 | β¬13,900 |
| Engineering (Bucharest, private flat) | β¬3,200 | β¬8,400 | β¬11,600 |
| Business (Cluj, dorm) | β¬3,000 | β¬4,800 | β¬7,800 |
| Computer Science (IaΘi, private flat) | β¬3,000 | β¬6,600 | β¬9,600 |
| Business (TimiΘoara, dorm) | β¬2,800 | β¬4,200 | β¬7,000 |
Tuition Fees by Program
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Range |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (English) | 6 years | β¬7,500 β 12,000 |
| Dentistry (English) | 6 years | β¬5,500 β 7,000 |
| Pharmacy (English) | 5 years | β¬4,500 β 6,000 |
| Engineering | 4 years | β¬2,700 β 3,500 |
| Computer Science | 4 years | β¬2,700 β 3,800 |
| Business Administration | 3 years | β¬2,500 β 4,200 |
| Law | 4 years | β¬2,500 β 3,800 |
Monthly Living Costs by City
| City | Dorm/Month | Private Rent/Month | Food/Month | Total (dorm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucharest | β¬100β150 | β¬350β500 | β¬200β280 | β¬450β700 |
| Cluj-Napoca | β¬90β130 | β¬320β450 | β¬180β250 | β¬400β600 |
| IaΘi | β¬80β110 | β¬250β380 | β¬150β220 | β¬350β500 |
| TimiΘoara | β¬80β120 | β¬260β380 | β¬160β230 | β¬360β520 |
One-Time Arrival Costs
- βStudent visa fee: β¬120β150 (varies by country)
- βDocument translation & apostille: β¬100β400 depending on volume
- βHealth insurance (annual): β¬150β300
- βResidence permit fee: ~β¬100
- βUniversity registration/admin fees: β¬100β300
- βFlight (varies widely): β¬300β1,200
- βFirst-month deposit + rent: β¬400β1,000
- βInitial setup (bedding, kitchenware, SIM card): β¬100β200
Budget β¬2,000β3,000 for all one-time arrival costs before your first tuition instalment. This is often the most stressful financial moment β plan for it in advance.
How Students Cut Costs Without Suffering
- βLive in a university dormitory for year 1 β it's far cheaper and you build connections fast.
- βCook most meals β groceries in Romania are among the cheapest in the EU.
- βUse the public transport monthly pass (β¬10β20) β taxis and Uber are cheap too.
- βBuy second-hand textbooks or find PDF versions through university libraries.
- βTake advantage of student discounts on museums, events, and transport.
- βApply for ARICE or MFA scholarships to offset tuition significantly.
Can You Work While Studying?
Non-EU students on a student visa can work up to 4 hours/day (part-time) during the academic year and full-time during holidays, as long as they maintain their student status. The minimum wage in Romania is approx. β¬800/month β enough to offset living expenses if you find regular employment.
Get a Personalised Cost Estimate
Tell us your program choice and target city β we'll calculate your full year-one budget including all fees.