Romania
Business/social hints
Appointments: must be made in advance, punctuality is expected.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a suit and tie, women a two-piece suit or equivalent and hosiery.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Smoking is generally acceptable unless there are notices to the contrary. Gratuities are expected by taxis and porters.
Language: business is conducted in Romanian. Many executives speak English or French and some speak German.
Invitations: punctuality is appreciated, dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. A service charge is normally added to the bill.
Local time: GMT +3hrs (from 25 Oct to 27 Mar GMT +2hrs)
Capital: Bucharest.
Language: Romanian, German and Hungarian.
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 40.
Driving: national licence or international driving permit required.
Currency: Lei (ROL 1 = 100 Bani).
Notes: ROL: 500; 1,000; 5,000; 10,000; 50,000.
Coins:ROL: 50, 100.
Business hours
Banks:9am-12pm Mon-Fri (business matters), 9am-12pm and 1pm-3pm Mon-Fri (money exchange).
Offices:7am-3.30pm Mon-Fri.
Shops:6am-9pm Mon-Sat, 6am-12pm Sun.
Emergency services
Police: 955, Fire: 981, Ambulance: 961.
Health
A reciprocal health agreement for urgent medical treatment exists with the UK.
Compulsory vaccinations: none.
Clothing
Lightweights in summer, medium to heavyweights for winter with light rainwear recommended throughout the year.
Weather
Climate
Continental climate with warm summers and cold snowy winters. Rainfall is usually quite low except in the mountains and spring and summer are the wettest seasons. The weather is changeable throughout the year although there is usually an abrupt change from winter to summer and a short spring.
Bucharest Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max/Min am pm (mm)
January 1 -7 – 87 46
February 4 -5 – 84 26
March 10 -1 – 73 28
April 18 5 – 63 59
May 23 10 – 63 77
June 27 14 – 62 121
July 30 16 – 58 53
August 30 15 – 59 45
September 25 11 – 63 45
October 18 6 – 73 30
November 10 2 – 85 36
December 4 -3 – 89 27
Bucharest BUH Otopeni International OTP
Postal Address: Soseaua Bucuresti-Ploiesti.
Telephone:+40 1 230 16 02.
Location: 10mls/16.5kms.
Telex: 11494/1493 BUHAIR-R.
Fax: +40 1 312 27 44/312 26 25.
Transportation to city centre: airport bus: operates 5am-10pm every 60mins, fare ROL 5,000, journey time 30mins. Bus: service 783 operates 5.30am-11.59pm every 15mins, fare ROL 3,000, journey time 40mins. Taxi:ROL 50,000, journey time 25mins.
Airport departure tax: none.
Flight information: tel 230 16 02, available 24hrs.
Business facilities: tel 679 27 98.
Passport
Required.
Customs
Import allowances: a) 200 cigarettes or 300grammes of tobacco b) two litres of alcoholic beverages and four litres of wine or beer c) gifts up to the value of ROL 200,000.