PREPARING FOR

YOUR STAY AND

GETTING SETTLED

Practical guide for UPB

international students
2023-2024
 UNIVERSITY POLITEHNICA OF BUCHAREST

Dear international sudents,

The University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest Our mission is to train an engineer
(UPB) is the largest and oldest technical equipped with solid principles of
university in the country and among the sustainable development and
most prestigious universities in the region. environment protection, and capable of
solving the challenges of the modern
Since its foundation in 1818, UPB has worked knowledge-based society and economy.
towards accelerating the industrial revolution
of the country and becoming a scientific and Two centuries after the founding of the
cultural hub, not only for the academic university, the continuous thread of our
community but for society at large. goals remains the same – to educate for a
better future, to find solutions through
Life within UPB is an example of a vibrant research for a better future, and to
and sustainable microcosmos, positively influence the context of our
interconnected to all major international society.
educational associations and universities
around the world. UPB is home to almost
30.000 students being trained in 15 faculties
and benefitting from 68 Research Centers
and 46 Bachelor's and Master's programs in
MIHNEA
English, French, and German. UPB has a
constant collaboration with all relevant COSTOIU
stakeholders in the technical fields and Rector
internship agreements with over 1000
international companies.
Prepare your stay at UPB

STEP
01 YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED

1 Completing your admission at university

2 Obtaining a visa

3 Learn about health insurance coverage

4 Searching for accommodation

5 Planning your budget

STEP
02 YOU WILL ARRIVE SOON

6 Preparing your arrival (checklist and tips)

7 Get to know the Campus

8 How to get here and move around

STEP
03 YOU HAVE JUST ARRIVED

9 Validating your visa or applying for a residence permit

10 Opening a bank account

11 Completing your enrollment at university

12 Finding accommodation

13 Registering for health insurance

14 Getting internet access

15 Need help? Your contacts

 STEP 1
YOU HAVE BEEN
ADMITTED
 YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED

1. COMPLETING YOUR ADMISSION AT UPB

GOOD TO KNOW

If possible, avoid booking flights or trains

As soon as you receive confirmation of your that arrive on Sundays, public holidays, or
admission, read through the necessary after 9 pm, as most shops will be closed
steps to follow before your arrival. and there will be less public
transportation.

If you will be staying in a residence, do

not forget to check the opening hours of
the residence to pick up your keys.

2. OBTAINING A VISA
Except for nationals from the European Union, European Economic Area and
Swiss Confederation, it is necessary to get a visa to enter and study in Romania.

APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA

TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOU NEED To study in Romania as a non-EU student
A VISA you will have to consult the Romanian
[Link] Embassy or Consulate in your country of
residence to follow the application
procedure for a student visa. The duration
of the procedure varies depending on the
country and the application period, but it
generally takes several weeks. Anticipate as
much as possible.

PREPARING YOUR FILE

In addition to your admission, several

aspects of your application will be reviewed
by the Consulate, including proof of
residence in Romania (which may be
temporary accommodation) and proof of
sufficient financial resources. You will be
required to have at least €500 per month
over the duration of your visa.
 YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED

3. LEARN ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

In Romania, it is compulsory for every international student to have health
insurance. Whatever your situation, you will find here useful information to
anticipate the different steps to take, and thus be covered straight from your
arrival and throughout your period of study.

HEALTH INSURANCE (ASIGURARE MEDICALĂ)

IMPORTANT
You are from Europe (EU/EEA):
Health insurance, commonly known as « Asigurare prior to your arrival, you have to get a
medicală », covers only part of the healthcare costs.
European Health Insurance Card from the
To cover the remaining healthcare costs that are health insurance provider of your country of
uncovered by social security, we highly origin. It must be valid for the whole
recommend you take an additional health duration of your stay in Romania.
insurance, known as “Asigurare medicală privată”.
For all other nationalities (non-EU):
Prior to your arrival in Romania, you must
take out travel insurance or private health
insurance in order to be covered during the
first weeks of your stay, and until you are
able to register with the Romanian state
health insurance. You will have to register
FIND OUT MORE with the Romanian state health insurance
once arrived in Romania, and right after
[Link]
your administrative enrollment at the
campus/healthcare5 university. A birth certificate will be
requested, so remember to bring one.

REPATRIATION INSURANCE

We also advise you to take out repatriation

GOOD TO KNOW
insurance for the duration of your stay, before
There are two other mandatory insurances to be your arrival in Romania, in order to cover
taken out upon arrival in Romania, if you chose the repatriation expenses in the event of serious
private rental sector: the housing insurance, and illness or death. Some bank cards include
the civil liability insurance. For more information, repatriation insurance, check with your bank
see the section «You have just arrived» in this before leaving.
guide.
 YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED

4. SEARCHING FOR ACCOMMODATION

Students can mainly choose between living in public or private residences and
the private rental sector.

PUBLIC STUDENT RESIDENCES If you are doing mobility within the

framework of a partnership in Bucharest or
This is the cheapest type of if you hold a scholarship from the
accommodation, but the number of places Romanian government managed by UPB
is limited. The UPB campus benefits from
approximately 13,000 accommodation Contact the International relations office
places, distributed on two campuses: who will provide you with information on
REGIE and LEU. existing accommodation options.
international@[Link]
Contact the International relations office
correspondent of your faculty or school,
who will provide you with information on
different accommodation options.

PRIVATE STUDENT RESIDENCES

Rents are higher than UPB student

residences, but they offer similar benefits:
communal living, furnished rooms,
internet, laundromat, gym, etc. Requests
must be sent directly to the residences, by
submitting an application file.

PRIVATE RENTAL SECTOR

The rental offer in the private sector is far

greater. However, it may be challenging for
an international student to find
accommodation remotely. It is generally
preferable in this case to book temporary
accommodation for a few weeks and then
search for permanent accommodation on
arrival (see the section “Booking temporary
accommodation” in this guide).

Finding accommodation in the region can

be challenging, especially in Bucharest, but
there are many possibilities. We
recommend you start your search at least
one or two months prior to your arrival.
 YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED

5. PLANNING YOUR BUDGET

Before leaving, it is essential to estimate your budget in order to anticipate
the main expenses during your stay in Romania, as well as the expenses
related to your arrival and settling in.

MONTHLY EXPENSES FINANCING YOUR STAY

Accommodation is the main expense for a Scholarships

student and can account for up to 45% of Many scholarships are available to help you
the monthly budget. finance your stay. However, you need to
Expect to spend between €100 and €450 apply several months in advance or even
per month depending on the type of one year before registration. For the
accommodation, plus charges (water, scholarships granted by the UPB, non-Eu
electricity, and gas, €50 to €100 each students must apply at the embassies.
month). Food ranks second: you will spend More information HERE
about € 200 per month. Then come leisure,
Work
transportation, telephone, and internet
To finance your studies, you can also work
subscriptions, and healthcare costs.
part-time (4 hours per day), or full-time (8
hours per day) apart from exceptions
EXPENSES UPON ARRIVAL
associated with certain types of visa.
Beware: there are lots of expenses upon
arrival, and it is possible that you will spend
between €750 and €1000: on university
registration fees, the first month's rent, and
in case of private accommodation also a GOOD TO KNOW
deposit for accommodation, subscriptions
University tuition fees
for water, electricity, telephone, internet,
insurances, etc. The tuition fees at the UPB remain low
compared to many eastern countries. They
vary depending on your level of studies:
bachelor/ master (€2430/ academic year)
or Ph.D. (€ 3480/ academic year)
 STEP 2
YOU WILL
ARRIVE SOON
6. PREPARING YOUR ARRIVAL:
CHECKLIST AND TIPS
ESSENTIALS TIPS
For all students If you do not have a European Health
ID card (European nationals) or passport. Insurance Card neither do you have a Global
Health record and vaccination certificates Health Insurance Card, or forms from, or from
(if available). your country social security office, remember
Birth certificate with affiliation. to get a private health insurance contract in
Letter of acceptance from the Romanian order to be covered during the first weeks of
educational institution (original if available). your stay in Romania.
Driver’s license if you want to use a car in
Romania. Scan all your important documents and send
Socket adapter (the plugs in Romania are them to your mailbox. Also take two or three
type C). photocopies of these documents with you, you
will quickly need them upon arrival.
For European (EU, EEE) nationals:
If you travel by plane, keep all the documents
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or GHIC from the checklist with you: they can be
for British nationals) is valid for medically claimed upon arrival by the border control
necessary treatment when you are temporarily services.
staying in Romania.
Write down the essential information in case
you do not have internet access upon arrival:
accommodation’s address, reception
GOOD TO KNOW telephone number (for student residences),
directions between the station and your
Certain documents written in a language accommodation with bus and tram numbers,
other than the Romanian (birth certificate, contact at your institution, etc.
driver’s licence, etc.) must be translated. If you
want to translate these documents before The currency in Romania is the Romania LEU.
leaving, we recommend asking the Romanian When you arrive in the country, consider
Embassy or Consulate in your country, in changing the money for your first payments.
order to have legal translations or apostills.
Before leaving, check the terms of overseas
money withdrawal with your card, since the
opening of a bank account in Romania can
take one or two weeks (see the section
“Opening a bank account” in this guide).

All UPB faculties offer their exchange students

opportunities to be put into contact with a
student volunteer already living in Bucharest,
who can help them settle in. Contact the
International Relations office to find out if this
applies to you. You can also contact student
associations for international students, which
also offer mentoring programs.
 YOU WILL ARRIVE SOON

7. GET TO KNOW THE CAMPUS

LIBRARY The medical services offered:

UPB Central Library provides access to Emergency first aid;

scientific information to its users in all study Free consultations;
cycles by making available over one million Possibility of medical investigations
publications covering all fields of study in the (laboratory);
university. Also, the library offers generous Therapeutic indications (prescriptions);
spaces for reading and study (approximately Injectable treatments;
400 seats) existing in 8 reading rooms with Wound care dressing change;
free access to documentary materials and Medical referral letter;
connection to the Internet. Ensuring the necessary medical-
The library offers its users specialized books, administrative logistics (medical
journals, standards, patents, and materials on certificates, sports assessments, necessary
various information media. There is an documents in the educational process or
increasing emphasis on the use of electronic internships);
resources in the scientific literature. By Prophylactic counseling in cases of
accessing them from the existing computers infectious diseases (isolated cases or
within the university or remotely outside the epidemics);
campus. Hygiene control in residences, cafeterias,
and educational spaces.
UPB HEALTHCARE
SPORTS
Medical assistance for UPB students is
provided free of charge from two Medical We provide:
Centers. One is located on the ground floor,
The "Noul Local" gym - is equipped with
in the P7 residence hall, in the REGIE
the latest and most modern accessories
complex, and the other one is located on the
for practicing team sports.
new campus, near the Power Engineering
The soccer court with natural turf in the
Faculty.
Leu Campus.
Soccer and basketball court (synthetic
surface) - located next to the "Noul Local"
gymnasium.
The exercise room in the R2 Building in
The Regie Campus.
The Leu Campus gym.
 YOU WILL ARRIVE SOON

SOCIAL LIFE CAFETERIAS

UPB offers its international students lots of UPB provides cafeterias with plenty of dining
fun activities for their spare time, to make you options with discounted prices for our
feel welcome and get acquainted to the academic community and visitors. All food is
Romanian vibrant way of life. freshly cooked and prepared by our
dedicated staff with special attention to
Among the activities we mention:
quality.
International Students Day - presents
university facilities, students organizations
UPB has 6 cafeterias operating during the
and the city tour.
entire academic year.
Karaoke Night - an evening with sweets,
drinks, good music, and the opportunity to
Cafeterias location and schedule:
make friends.
Si eu am fost la UPB (I was at UPB too) –
Rectorate Building (5th floor) – 11:00 AM –
coocking contest with traditional food
15:00 PM
from different countries.
REGIE Complex (R3) – 11:00 AM – 20:00 PM
Movie Night (an outdoor movie night),
LEU Complex – 11:00 AM – 15:00 PM
celebrating the national day of each
Faculty of Automatics and Computer
foreign country who has representatives at
Science (1st floor) – 11:00 AM – 15:00 PM
UPB (with drinks and food, and a display of
Faculty of Industrial Engineering and
traditional art objects).
Robotics (ground floor) – 11:00 AM – 15:00
PM
Faculty of Transports (ground floor) – 11:00
AM – 15:00 PM
 YOU WILL ARRIVE SOON

MyGuideUPB App

MyGuideUPB is an application that provides important information related to academic life,

university enrollment, mobility programs, and scholarships, including programs and fields of
study, search based on places (campus buildings), and location-based content (Google Maps),
including transportation and dining places.

AVAILABLE ON
UPB MAPS
 YOU WILL ARRIVE SOON

8. HOW TO GET HERE AND MOVE AROUND TOWN

TO BUCHAREST MOVING AROUND TOWN

There is one airport in Bucharest: Bucharest has its own public transportation
Henri Coanda International Airport network. Upon arrival, you can easily get tickets
[Link] for 1 ride, and 10 rides. Monthly and yearly
passes are the most cost-effective. The network
Getting in the city of public transportation in Bucharest is called
From the arrivals terminal, you need to go to STB. Bucharest is well served by 23 tram lines,
the train station «Henri Coanda International 119 bus lines, 21 night lines, and 14 Trolleybus
Airport», located in front of the airport. The lines.
train goes to Bucharest North Railway Station. [Link]

There are two more options: by bus, or by taxi.

By bus:
From Henri Coanda International Airport
«STB»
[Link]

By Taxi:
In Romania, taxi fares are regulated. Licensed
taxis have an illuminated sign on the roof of
the vehicle. Price: about 15 to 20€ from Henri
Coanda International Airport to Bucharest.

You can also book an Uber or Bolt from the

Airport to the City, prices are slightly lower.
 STEP 3
YOU HAVE
JUST ARRIVED
 YOU ARRIVED

9. VALIDATING YOUR VISA OR APPLYING FOR A

RESIDENCE PERMIT

After entering Romania you must obtain a

FIND OUT MORE
residence permit. It certifies your right to stay
in Romania and you can get it from the [Link]
territorial units of the General Inspectorate
for Immigration in the county where you live. [Link]
global-mobility-services/immigration-
services/[Link]
To obtain a residence permit you have to
submit personally a number of documents at
least 30 days before the expiry of the right to
stay granted by the visa.

You also have the possibility to submit the

documents through the online service,
available at
[Link]
 YOU ARRIVED

10. OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

The opening of a Romanian bank account is
FIND OUT MORE
not mandatory, but almost essential. A bank
account in Romania will allow the payment of Open a bank account in Romania
possible wages, and facilitate the payment of [Link]
bills or subscriptions, allowances or account-romania
reimbursement of medical expenses. You will
need to provide proof of address in Romania
to open a bank account. Note that temporary
accommodations do not always make it
possible to get such a document. 11. COMPLETING YOUR
Steps to follow to open a bank account: ENROLLMENT AT THE
Choose a bank: check if your bank in your UNIVERSITY
home country has a partnership with a
Romanian bank, or if your institution has On your arrival in Romania, you must finalize
concluded a privileged partnership. your administrative registration, and then
Make an appointment with a bank advisor. complete your academic enrollment.

Prepare your file with the requested The administrative registration is to be

documents, which usually are: completed by the faculty secretariat of your
host institution. You will be told beforehand
proof of identity (ID card, or passport) how to proceed. This is when you will pay for
proof of address with your name on it the registration fees, and you will get your
(rental agreement or ‘bail’, certificate of student card as well as your login details to
university student residence, rent receipt, access the student’s intranet.
electricity bill, etc.) The academic enrollment (choice of courses,
Student card (optional, in case of special options, etc…) will come after and take place
offers) in your particular Faculty.

GOOD TO KNOW FIND OUT MORE

[Link]
Opening an account is usually free of
students/applying/students-from-eu-
charge, but some services may have to be
countries
paid for (credit card, money transfers,
overdraft facilities, etc.). Get as much [Link]
information as possible and do not students/applying/students-from-non-eu-
hesitate to compare several bank offers! countries
 YOU ARRIVED

12. FINDING ACCOMMODATION

FINDING ACCOMMODATION ONCE YOU GOOD TO KNOW
HAVE ARRIVED
During the inventory, pay close attention
Finding accommodation requires
to any defects or damage in the
commitment and time: regularly consult the
accommodation and do not forget to
internet and real estate agency ads, and do read the entry inventory report before you
not hesitate to seek advice from other sign it. A copy of the inventory must be
students. When visiting accommodation, do given to you.
not forget to bring several copies of your
complete file: this could allow you to get in
first if you find the place of your dreams!

WHEN ENTERING YOUR ACCOMMODATION FIND OUT MORE

Signing the lease How to rent an apartment in Bucharest?

Step-by-step guide
Before you can enter your accommodation, [Link]
the owner and yourself must sign a lease, bucharest
called the ‘bail’. This agreement is drawn up
[Link]
in two copies and defines the rental
he-Ultimate-Expat-Guide-to-Bucharest
conditions: rent, surface area, duration of the
contract, etc. Upon signing the lease, you will
have to pay various entry fees:
Insuring your accommodation
the security deposit All rented accommodation must be insured
the agency fees (if you rented through a by the tenant for rental risks: fire, water
real estate agency) damage, or explosions. However, this
the first month’s rent insurance does not necessarily cover
possessions you have in your home, for
Entry Inventory example in case of burglary. Get information
from banks, student insurance providers, and
An entry inventory is a procedure whereby
other insurance companies that all offer
the owner and the tenant review the state of
rental liability and multi-risk insurance
the apartment and record any defects or
contracts. This insurance certificate will be
damage in a written report. It must be carried
asked for by the owner, or the agency.
out systematically just before signing the
lease, and your presence is mandatory. It also
Concluding contracts for water, electricity,
defines the responsibilities of each party in
gas, internet, and a landline
case of litigation. At the end of the stay, it will
be compared to the exit inventory. This step If water, electricity, and gas are not included
generally occurs before the keys are handed in the rental charges (in student residences,
over, but can be performed the same day. If they are usually included), you have to take
the inventory is carried out by a professional, out contracts with providers of your choosing,
you will be charged partly. even if you already have access to water,
electricity, and gas when you move in.
Starting a new contract is charged around
30€ (150 RON).
 YOU ARRIVED

13. REGISTERING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE ADVICE
You are from the European Union, European Always keep a health insurance certificate
Economic Area, and Swiss Confederation: you with you, in case you go to a doctor, or in
must have a European Health Insurance Card the event of an accident.
or Global Health Insurance Card, valid for the
whole duration of your stay. If not, register
with the Romanian state health insurance,
via the CASMB“Casa de Asigurări a
Municipiului București”. Upon enrollment,
students will produce proof of their status as ADDITIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
ensured students (either the European card
Health insurance covers only part of the
issued by their country of origin or the
medical expenses. To be better reimbursed,
document which ensures their right of
we highly recommend you take out
residence in Romania, along with their
additional health insurance. Many insurance
allotted CNP number). UPB will forward to
providers have special offers for students.
CASMB a list of the students that wish to be
Take your time to compare the different
ensured within the social security system in
offers according to your needs.
Romania.

Foreign students that are non-EU citizens will

have to submit a set of documents to CASMB
HEALTH CENTERS FOR STUDENTS
in order to obtain the right to medical
In Bucharest, all students enrolled in one
assistance in Romania. Students that hold of the University POLITEHNICA of
documentation that gives them the right of Bucharest can visit general practitioners,
residence on Romanian territory (with an and some specialists, for free, at the
allotted personal numeric code – CNP) have Students Health Center in Regie Campus.
the same rights and obligations as Romanian Their team provide information,
students, within the same age and income consultations, and preventive actions
criteria. throughout the academic year.
If non-EU students do not own such a
document, they are not included in the social
security and healthcare system and can only
benefit from medical services based on
bilateral agreements between Romania and
their country of origin.
 YOU ARRIVED

14. GETTING INTERNET ACCESS

Lots of wi-fi spots are available for you to use
upon your arrival :

In airports, cafes, but also in different places

in the town center.
In university restaurants and student
residences.
On enrollment at the university, you have
free wi-fi access to the campus network.

In the UPB campus, you have free wi-fi access GOOD TO KNOW
to the internet. All mobile tariffs in Romania
include, on top of calls, unlimited Internet Remember to check the roaming
access. You can get monthly subscriptions, or charges from your provider in your
buy pre-paid cards. country if you wish to access the internet
with your mobile phone upon your arrival
in Romania.
GOOD TO KNOW

UPB helps students in situations of digital

precariousness. If you do not have a computer
upon arrival in Romania and have a limited
budget, please contact your faculty, which FIND OUT MORE
could offer you a computer on loan,
depending on availability. Wi-fi in Bucharest:
[Link]
free-wifi/map

Access to Bucharest Digital Central Library:

[Link]
 YOU ARRIVED

15. NEED HELP? YOUR CONTACTS

You have left your country, your family, and your friends to enjoy a new
experience in a foreign country. Do not forget that you are not alone! There are
many UPB services, partners, or even associations that can support you if needed
or facilitate your integration.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SERVICES & ACADEMIC CONTACTS

Should you have questions related to the academic or teaching process, your university enrollment,
courses, or exams, do not hesitate to contact the administrative staff from International Relations
Department (international@[Link]).

HEALTH CENTERS FOR STUDENTS

Students can consult doctors, nurses, or psychologists, without having to pay in advance, at the
student's health center situated on the Regie campus.

SOCIAL SERVICES

In the event of personal or financial difficulties, you can make an appointment with the Ministry of
Labor and Social Solidarity or with the National Employment Agency: [Link]

COMBATING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION

Measures for combating harassment and discrimination have been implemented in different
universities and schools. To find the appropriate contact, ask your host institution’s international
relations department, or director of studies.

STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

To facilitate your integration, join or follow the activities of the student associations that brighten up
campus life: culture, sports, solidarity… you will probably find one that corresponds to your interests!

EMERGENCY CONTACT: 112

SPLAIUL INDEPENDENȚEI 313
BUCHAREST
POSTAL CODE: 060042

HTTPS://[Link]